Chinese smartphone makers are also penetrating the Korean market with a diverse range of budget smartphones in partnership with local mobile carriers and retailers.
China’s largest handset maker, Huawei, unveiled its Be Y Phone 2 this month along with local mobile carrier KT to make it available only for local users. The variant model of Huawei’s flagship model P10 Lite sports a 5.2-inch display, fingerprint scanner and fast-charging function.
Another Chinese firm Xiaomi also unveiled its budget phone Mi A1 in partnership with local retailer G-mobi Korea. The Mi A1 costs 299,000 won ($279) and has a 12-megapixel dual camera as well as a fingerprint scanner.
Industry watchers said the tech firms will focus more on affordable yet quality smartphones amid growing competition in the global smartphone market.
“Samsung and LG used to make sales plans centering on flagship models but they appear to be changing their strategy by introducing more lineups to appeal to a diverse customer base,” said Joo Dae-young, a researcher at Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.
By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)