Huawei launches new smartphones in Kenya targeting youth market

Xinhua Published: 2017-09-06 23:48:06
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Chinese tech giant Huawei on Wednesday launched new smartphones in Kenya, targeting urban middle class youth with disposable income.

Workers fix panels near the logo for Huawei in Beijing on May 31, 2017. [Photo: AP]

Workers fix panels near the logo for Huawei in Beijing on May 31, 2017. [Photo: AP]

Derek Duh, the Huawei Device Kenya Country Director, said the launch of Huawei Y series that includes Y3 2017, Y5 2017 and Y7 Prime reaffirmed the growing appetite for Chinese smartphones in the Kenyan market.

"The introduction of Y series phone is part of Huawei's strategy to target all categories of users and offer them high quality products at affordable cost," said Duh.

He revealed that the three Y series, whose retail prices are 90, 130 and 230 U.S. dollars respectively, will be marketed on university campuses where their demand is highest.

"The Y series brand has resonated with Kenyan youth due to its outstanding qualities like a powerful camera, longer power retention and slick metallic cover," said Duh.

He added the launch of Y series dovetails with Huawei's 2017 business strategy to expand sales in Kenya by 50 percent.

"We are keen to invest in research and development that would enable us to come up with products that can compete favorably in Kenya's vibrant smartphone market," Derek remarked.

Huawei currently occupies number three slot in the global smartphone market after Apple and Samsung.

Duh said that Huawei's brand rating currently stands at 79 percent globally, while its brand value is estimated at 7.3 billion U.S. dollars.

At the same time, Huawei's brand rating in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 84 percent while in Kenya it stood at 85 percent.

Tony Zhao, a sales executive at Huawei Kenya, said the Y series smartphone promises clients quality service, durability and numerous entertainment options.

"All the Huawei Y series have advanced features that combine elegance and superb performance," Zhao remarked, adding that Huawei Y series is ideal for entry level smartphone users like young professionals.

He reveled that Huawei's market share in Kenya stood at 14 percent at the end of 2016 but plans are in top gear to expand it through innovative marketing. 

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