Huawei aims to ride tech wave to N° 1 brand status in Thailand
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Richard Yu, chief executive officer of Huawei Consumer Business Group, said that the firm provides Huawei smartphones as a premium brand to cover mid-tier and the high-end global market. The firm’s new intelligence phone will bring together artificial intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR). With the AR technology, the future phone will be paired with an AI processor, an AI camera and an AI operating system. The new intelligence phone will have long battery life and super-fast charging ability.
“My plan for the next five years: With AI, AR, VR and MR, we will have an intelligent phone. We want to provide the future and next-generation phone. In addition, we will try to improve our marketing, branding, retail and services. Every year, we continue to improve our marketing, branding, retail and services in the Thai market and worldwide. We aim to be the leader in artificial intelligence, VR and MR,” said Yu.
He said the firm next year would launch its new flagship smartphone with new technology such as improved camera and super-fast charging features.
The firm now provides smartphone with two brands: Huawei for the mid-tier and high-end market, and Honor for young people, e-commerce, mass market, low-end and mid-tier market. The Honor smartphone is available only in China.
“We want to enhance our technology and innovation and improve the users’ experience,” said the CEO.
He said the firm in 2017 gained market share in China, totalling 23.8 per cent. It also became number one in Italy, Spain, and Poland.
In China, it aims for market share of more than 40 per cent in the next three years. Therefore, the firm wants to build its marketing, enhance branding, build better ecosystem and retail system in the Chinese market.
“We want to enhance our technology and innovation and improve the users’ experience,”
He added that Thailand is still a growing market, especially in the premium segment. The overall Thai market is growing. The current market share is around 10 per cent. It aims to be No 1 in market share in Thailand for mid-range and high-end smartphones in the next three years with market share of more than 30 per cent.
He said the firm plans to invest in Thailand in |marketing, branding, premium stores and shops and services.
“We have committed to the Thai market for the long term. We want to be the leader as a brand and in market share within three years,” said Yu.
The firm this year expects 30 per cent revenue growth year on year and expects the trend to continue next year. The firm is targeting 1,000 per cent growth in the global market over the next decade. The firm sees high potential in China, Europe and Japan.
Regarding upcoming smartphone trends, he said next year consumers will buy smart phones with high storage capacity and memory to support more applications, bigger screen, better camera and processor to support customers who love game. He said AI would become more popular. He said battery life would also become more important for consumers. The firm will come out with smartphone with a battery life improvement of around 20 per cent with super-fast charging and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera features.
He also said that the smart phone manufacturers would have to consolidate in the future in order to survive.
The firm continues to cooperate with its business partners to improve its smartphone features and productivity such as Microsoft, Porsche and Leica.
Last year, the firm invested US$11 billion in research and development.
Questions & Answers
Q.Where is the Honor brand of smartphones currently sold?
Where is the Honor brand of smartphones currently sold?
The Honor smartphone brand, aimed at young people and the mass market, is currently available only in China. It is used for e-commerce, and targets low-end and mid-tier segments.
Q.Which specific regions are identified as having high potential for Huawei's growth?
Which specific regions are identified as having high potential for Huawei's growth?
The company sees high growth potential in China, Europe, and Japan. It aims for over 40 per cent market share in China within three years.
Q.What key features will Huawei's next flagship smartphone include?
What key features will Huawei's next flagship smartphone include?
The next flagship smartphone will feature new technology, including an improved camera and super-fast charging. It will also offer longer battery life, about 20 per cent better, and DSLR camera features.
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