The Chinese handset maker wants to add localised features to suit the Indian market needs.
Chinese handset maker Coolpad on Saturday said it will set up its R&D unit in Bengaluru by the end of the year to add localised features to meet demands of the Indian consumers. The company, which has partnered Videocon to assemble its handsets in India, also aims to sell about 4 million smartphones this year. "We are looking at setting up R&D centre in Bengaluru. We expect to start after Diwali and it would be fully functional before the end of the year...We expect to have about 85 people to begin with," Coolpad India CEO Syed Tajuddin said.
He added that the centre will work on customisation of the device to meet Indian requirements and at a later stage, also focus on app and content for the smartphones.
The company today launched its new handset -- Coolpad Max -- priced at Rs 24,999. It will be sold through Amazon.in. The device will allow users to use two accounts on WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger and other apps, which users currently can't do. It features a 5.5-inch display, powered by Qualcomm 1.5 GHz octacore processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB memory (expandable upto 64GB), 13 MP rear and 5MP front camera and 2800 mAh battery.
"This is the fourth device we have launched in the last sixth month. We are working on expanding our portfolio and we should have atleast 5 new devices this year," he said. Tajuddin added that the company aims to sell about 4 million units this year. "We have already sold about 1 million units and the aim is now to sell about 4 million units... We will add atleast 5 devices this year," he said.
India is one of the fastest growing smartphone markets globally. According to research firm IDC, smartphone shipments in the country grew 5.2% to 23.5 million units in January-March 2016 from the year-ago period. Samsung led the tally with 26.6% share of the Indian smartphone market, followed by Micromax (12.6%), Intex (9.2%) and Lenovo (with Motorola - 8.2%).
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