CHINESE tech giant Huawei is keeping tab on the Philippines as it seeks to replicate here the level of its hold of the smartphone business overseas.
“We succeeded in 2016 in modern cities in foreign countries to have more than 15 percent of market share. Hopefully, we can do the same in 2017 in the Philippines,” Huawei Consumer Business Group for South Pacific Region President Alex Lin said during the recent launch of the brand’s new smartphones in Taguig City.
The company has been very bullish of its local business on the back of the country’s continued economic growth.
“The Philippines is a very promising market. It’s growing exponentially for the last few years,” the top executive said.
GDP rate increased to 6.9 percent in 2016. The government, under President Duterte, expects the national economy to stand at 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in 2017.
Also commendable about the country, Lin said, is the improving business environment and telecommunication facilities that help drive their local business further.
“The operators are providing better infrastructure, convenient service and nice offerings to the market. So appreciation must be given to the key players, dealers, accounts and public patronage. Your very dynamic performance in the market is very important. It helps the consumers to have more smartphones, certainly not only Huawei, but also other brands,” he said.
“By this kind of progress, I’m delighted to reconfirm again that Huawei’s entry into this market is doing better. So we will continue to invest in this market for stable and consistent growth,” he said.
Following the favorable take on the advancements in the brand’s revolutionary P-series premium smartphones, notably the P9 last year, the technology firm is still confident its sales footprint internationally, including the South Pacific region and the Philippines, will continue to rise in succeeding years.
“When we first made available the P10 to consumers in China [just this year], we still received an overwhelming response. But what’s next? This year we are going to focus on the Philippines,” said Luke Au, director for handset product and marketing of Huawei in South Pacific region.
“From now on, we will build ourselves to be a brand the Philippines will love. How? By constantly engaging the consumers, offering premium products, and we are going to make artistic photography starting with the P10,” he said.
Huawei P10 and P10 Plus feature innovative photograph capabilities, coengineered with Leica to create a powerful dual-camera system.
Through this technology, the Philippine market, being known as the world’s “selfie” capital, is seen fit for this new offering of the brand.
To sweeten up the deal for Filipino customers, Huawei ties up with Globe, offering the P10 flagship device for free at Globe ThePLAN 1799. It includes 11 gigabyte of data, Unli-AllNet texts and Unli-Calls to Globe and Touch Mobile, Netflix and HOOQ access for six months, and Spotify Premium access for three months.
This newest models of Huawei’s flagship smartphones are among the other offerings the company will introduce, with the Philippines serving as the launching pad globally this year and beyond, Lin said.
“The 2017 game plan for Huawei consumer business will keep the consumers at the center, around the channel, retail, brand, marketing and services that continue to build the market for the consumer market capacity, strengthen the business base, and actively promote the refinement of business and customer service,” he said.
“Our vision as a tech brand is to create a positive outlook for smart products, innovation and continue to create a good scene for consumers’ smart life experience to become the world’s consumer favorite cultural and technology brand,” he said.
Offering products and services in more than 170 countries, Huawei has exhibited a steady growth since 2002, achieving a sales revenue of $27 billion, a 42-percent increase for five consecutive years.
Evidence of this is smartphone shipments hit 139 million units worldwide, with the record-setting P9 and P9 Plus exceeding 10 million units sold.
Such robust performance results solidify Huawei’s position as the world’s third top smartphone maker, with a 13.4-percent market share, as per global market research institute GfK.
Region-wise, Huawei’s devices are enjoying a strong following as seen in its significant expansion in Northeastern Europe (20-percent market share), Western Europe (15 percent), Africa (15 percent), Latin America (15 percent), Southeast Asia (10 percent), and China (18 percent).
The tech leader is starting to breakthrough in the South Pacific Region, with a 4.3-percent smartphone market share last year.