Targeting developing markets: Chinese smartphone makers defy Western bias

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Chinese smartphone companies are nearing a 50-percent market share worldwide, according to a recent report from Counterpoint Research, and brands like Xiaomi, Huawei and Oppo are continuing to push aggressively for growth, especially in developing countries.

For example, Chinese smartphones together made up more than half of India’s mobile sales in the first quarter of 2017, compared to only 15 percent a year earlier, according to India Ratings and Research.

In one of the latest developments, one of Bangladesh's major phone retailers began accepting pre-orders for Xiaomi’s new flagship Mi6 device on Wednesday.

Xiaomi "Mi Store" in Bangladesh /Dailyasianage.com Photo

As one of China’s most recognizable homegrown brands, Xiaomi is gaining ground on Apple and Samsung, most notably in India, Bangladesh, South Asia and Africa, by offering sophisticated models at reasonable prices.

“Many people used to see Chinese smartphone makers as copycats. But the situation has changed a lot,” said Jin Di, research manager at the product development consultancy IDC China.

“On one hand, China’s mobile companies have been working on innovation to improve the quality of products. On the other hand, a lot of efforts have been made to improve their brand images,” Jin added.

A Bangladeshi phone store /Dailyasianage.com Photo

Although Chinese smartphone brands haven’t achieved much penetration in developed Western markets, no one can underestimate the importance of the developing world to their sales. Countries like Bangladesh are becoming the latest battlefield in competition among international tech firms.

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