Huawei targets innovation after becoming third largest smartphone provider
Huawei has recorded a 60 per cent year-on-year rise in smartphone sales as the company is crowned the world’s third largest smartphone supplier.
Capitalising from its move into the mid and high-end smartphone scene, Huawei has confirmed that its year-on-year smartphone sales jumped a staggering 60 per cent during 2012 as the Chinese manufacturer closed the gap on the likes of Samsung and Apple in terms of handset units shipped.
“Last year we had a big adjustment in our strategy,” Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s consumer group said. Speaking during the company’s “discover possible” MWC 2013 press conference, he added: “We are moving from the entry-level low tier to the mid-tier and the high-tier.”
With the manufacturer revealing that it shipped 32 million smartphones during 2012, a 60 per cent year-on-year rise, the Nokia, HTC and ZTE rival was officially announced as the world’s third largest smartphone manufacturer back in Q4 2012.
Suggesting that its move from manufacturing cheap, low-specced budget phones into more premium, specs-impressive devices, has helped bolster its footing in the smartphone scene, Huawei has suggested that innovation is essential for continued growth.
“In this industry, product is a currency,” Amy Lou, Global Brand Director for Huawei Devices said. “Looking back at the past two years, our product line-up is getting better.”
She added: “We will continue to drive innovation, we are committed to deliver the best to our consumers.”
Helping Huawei advance its innovative handset offerings, the company today launched the Huawei Ascend P2, a direct follow-on to the Huawei Ascend P1 and a handset which will pair Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS alongside a new 8.4mm thick form factor with an expansive 4.7-inch 720p HD touchscreen display.
“Today is a day that Huawei really grows up. Today is a milestone in our history,” Lou said.
Suggesting that the company will look to build on improved sales with greater brand presence, Lou added: “Huawei is a great consumer brand in the making. Our brand will be as familiar as many you see this week in Barcelona.”
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