Huawei Expects to Triple Smartphones Sales This Year to 60 Million Units
Huawei Technologies Co., China’s largest maker of phone equipment, aims to triple the number of smartphones it delivers to 60 million this year as it takes aim at Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone and new handsets by Nokia Oyj. (NOK1V)
About 30 percent to 40 percent of this year’s shipments will probably go to China, Richard Yu, chairman of the company’s devices unit, said at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Huawei today unveiled the Ascend D quad handset, calling it “the world’s fastest smartphone.” The device will cost 15 percent to 20 percent less than “comparable phones.”
Huawei, based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, forecast in April last year that it plans to boost revenue to $100 billion over five to 10 years. The company, which was founded in 1987, is also adding areas like cloud computing and small-business networks to its traditional network-equipment business, where it competes with companies including Ericsson AB and Nokia Siemens Networks.
“We want to be the top brand in the industry,” Yu said. “Our phone brand isn’t that famous, but our products should be the best ones.”
The Ascend D quad will be sold in all major markets starting next quarter. A version that works on networks based on the the faster long-term evolution technology will be available in the second half of 2012, the company said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Cornelius Rahn in Barcelona at crahn2@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kenneth Wong at kwong11@bloomberg.net
Huawei Plans to Triple Smartphones Sales to 60 Million Units
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
An employee holds a Huawei Technologies Co. Ascend D quad mobile phone, which runs on the Android 4.0 operating system, during a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012.
An employee holds a Huawei Technologies Co. Ascend D quad mobile phone, which runs on the Android 4.0 operating system, during a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Huawei Device Chairman Richard Yu
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Huawei Device Chairman Richard Yu speaks during the launch of Huawei Technologies Co.'s new range of Ascend D Quad mobile phones, which run on the Android 4.0 operating system, at a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012.
Huawei Device Chairman Richard Yu speaks during the launch of Huawei Technologies Co.'s new range of Ascend D Quad mobile phones, which run on the Android 4.0 operating system, at a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Huawei Plans to Triple Smartphones Sales to 60 Million Uni
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
A Huawei Technologies Co. Ascend D quad mobile phone, which runs on the Android 4.0 operating system, stands on display at a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012.
A Huawei Technologies Co. Ascend D quad mobile phone, which runs on the Android 4.0 operating system, stands on display at a launch event prior to the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2012. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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