HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle

X

The Australian smartphone market is in for a shakeup as phone manufacturers such as HTC launch exclusive new Google Android models for sale via mass retailers such as Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi.


Click to enlarge
The move which will see unlocked phones such as HTC’s new Hero and Tattoo models sold exclusively by mass retailers is set to put pressure on phone carriers, who in the past have dictated which models will be sold in Australia.

It could also open the door for traditional notebook and netbook vendors such as Acer, Dell and Toshiba, to launch smartphones in Australia via their traditional retail partners.

Running Android and using HTC’s Sense UI, the Hero and the Tattoo “are focused on personalisation and accessibility.” Claims HTC.

The HTC Hero features a 3.2 inches capacitive touchscreen display with 320 x 480 pixels, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5m headset jack and a 5MP autofocus camera.

The HTC Tattoo has a smaller display (2.8 inches, resistive, with 240 x 320 pixels) and a 3.2MP camera, but it also features HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS.

 


Click to enlarge
HTC, who has quietly built up a strong position in the Australian smartphone market, up alongside the Apple iPhone and the Blackberry, is also set to launch a major new brand marketing campaign in an effort to position their phone range ahead of brands like Nokia, and Sony Erricsson two phone giants who are struggling to establish a presence in the smartphone market in Australia.

According to Anthony Petts, HTC’s ANZ Director of Sales and Marketing the move into retail will allow HTC to launch several new models that will not be carried by phone carriers. “There is a big market for people who simply want a new phone. These people will simply switch their sim card over, they are also prepared to buy a phone from their local retailer” he said.

He added “We have launched our Hero and Tattoo models via Harvey Norman who will have these models exclusive for two weeks. We then plan to launch additional models via other retailers. Next year we are looking for big growth in Australia and our expansion into mass retailers will help us achieve this”.

 

Among the new HTC models launched via Harvey Norman is the $799, HTC Hero and the $599 Tattoo.

“By selling via retailers, we are allowing the consumer to either choose a carrier of their own choice or simply buy an unlocked handset outright. We also anticipate discounting by the retailers to generate interest”.

One setback is that the Hero will only work on 2100MHz and 900MHz 3G HSDPA bands, this rules out Telstra’s Next G network which is promoted by Harvey Norman as a preferred carrier.

 “These two new handsets are focused on personalisation and accessibility – hallmarks of the HTC Sense experience. We anticipate that our move into retail will be highly successful,” said Petts.

AU X8 Banner 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
728 x 90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
JBL TourPro3 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
241211 SAV Ruark CNewsJan Leader HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
hitachi banner 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
ELX DIG Crosscat Promo 728x90 Mar25 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Marshall 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
GOTHAM 728px x 90px HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Arlo EOFY25 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
MaxRanger4K Leaderboard 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Flick of a switch 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
HAIER Series 600 FLW HPD Pairs 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Westan 728x90px HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Skullcandy 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
ChannelNews AZ100 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Px7 S3 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
728X90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Uniden Channelnews SoloX July 2024 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
Hisense KV BannerAd 728 90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
BEL2535 BPB024 4SQ Banners 728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
FA 979 HN MDF SG14 14gen 728x90 1 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
728x90 HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle
BlueAnt 4SQM PumpAirUltra 728x90px HTC & Harvey Norman Kickstart Smartphone Battle


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE