Samsung plans smartphone priced below Rs.10,000

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Samsung, which launched its first smartphone on Bada platform here today, has plans to add around eight to 10 smartphone models in a year's time to its smartphone portfolio. Some of these smartphones will be priced below Rs. 10,000.

“We will launch around eight to ten models this year and try to go below the price range of Rs 10,000 by the end of this year in the smartphone category,” said Asim Warsi, vice president, marketing, Samsung Mobiles, at the launch of two smartphones from Samsung, namely Wave and Galaxy S.

Samsung Wave is the first smartphone with Samsung’s own proprietary operating system — Bada. Samsung claims that Wave provides up to 15 hours talktime, a 2 GB internal memory, expandable up to 32 GB and a 5 megapixel camera with Flash LED. This phone is priced at Rs 19,100.

Samsung Galaxy S is based on Android OS and is priced at Rs 31,500. With the introduction of Samsung Galaxy S, the company is making an attempt to attract potential customers of iPad and Kindle. In Galaxy S, Samsung is providing Aldiko eBook reader which will give the users access to more than 30,000 books. Galaxy has 16 GB internal memory and has external memory support up to 32GB.

Both the phones have been powered by 1Ghz processor.

“We have been focusing more on open OS mobiles recently since any key characteristics of smartphones are becoming more and more important, especially mobile Internet, messaging features, strong third-party applications and flexibility for customization. In the open OS area, our strategy is to be there with whatever customers want. That is the reason we are offering mobiles based on the Android, Windows and now ‘Bada’ platform in the Indian market,” said Ranjit Yadav, Director - Mobile & IT, Samsung Electronics.

With its foray into the smartphone market segment, the company targets to capture around 20 per cent share in the existing smartphone market in India.