HMD Global recently launched a new 5G smartphone Nokia X30 5G in India, priced at Rs 49,999 in India. After launching a new mid-premium 5G smartphone in the country, the company is gearing up to launch a budget smartphone in India soon.
“So we have three great devices to announce… First we have the Nokia C12, which is going to be our lowest priced C-series device for 2023 in India. It comes with an octa-core processor and for the first time we are launching a device with memory expansion…so it’s a first, the C12 and the C12 Pro. Both of these are launching in India very soon,” said Sanmeet Singh Kochhar, Vice President, HMD Global, in an interview with Techlusive on the sidelines of MWC 2023 in Barcelona.
“And then we have two more devices in the C-series range. First up is the Nokia C22… and the Nokia C32… both of these smartphones come with octa-core processors with memory expansion. The best thing about these devices is that they come with three days of battery life.
Apart from the features, Kochhar talked about the replacement guarantee that HMD Global is offering on the purchase of these smartphones. “All these phones come with a replacement guarantee for all our fans in India, which means that if either of them have any complaints on the hardware of the device, we do not repair the device but replace the device. Also, all these devices are under 10,000 and each of them come without any bloatware. So, no ads, no hassle…and monthly security updates, ”he said.
On migration from 4G to 5G
During our conversation, the HMD Global VP also talked about the migration of 2G and 4G users to 5G. He said that 2G, 4G and 5G ecosystems will co-exist even as there is a migration to 5G.
“I think the 4G and 5G ecosystem will co-exist. I don’t think the whole system will switch to 5G in a hurry…I think we’ll see a massive under-Rs 12,000 launch in the 5G space this year.” Will see the device.
“And on top of that we will have 5G. But we will have 4G and 4G will have a very important role in the overall scheme of things. So, what will 2G be? So as we move forward, the 2G, 4G and 5G ecosystems will continue to co-exist.
Affordability of 5G equipment
Talking about 5G smartphones in India, the HMD Global VP said that he expects to see 5G smartphones priced below Rs 12,000 in India in 2023.
“We still believe they will be around Rs 12,000 range, we will have 5G devices in 2023 and it will continue to go down. But we also have very low cost EMI-options in the market. So that if one wants to buy a 5G device then there is an affordability option with various financial institutions tying up with HMD Global. So, you have Nokia 4G and 5G devices available with a lot of EMI options. You can pay a small amount first and then pay in installments.
feature phones in india
Lastly, talking about feature phones, Kochhar said that HMD Global’s feature phone market share has increased for the first time in nine years.
“We grew our feature phone market share. For the first time in nine years we are above 30 per cent. We are number one. We are number one in terms of value, but for the first time in nine years our market share in India is above 30 per cent. more, which is a great achievement.
“We are going to introduce innovative products in 2G, 4G as well as 5G in 2023,” he added.
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