Huawei and Vodacom have partnered to bring the new flagship Ascend P1 handset to SA - in what will be the first global launch of the device outside of China.
The Ascend P1 will go on sale through Vodacom and participating Vodacom outlets from 7 July.
The handset runs the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system, has a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, 4.3-inch super AMOLED touch-screen display with Corning Gorilla Glass, an 8MP camera, Dolby 3.0 plus surround-sound, and 1080p video recording and playback. The device has a super-slim design, measuring 7.69mm thick and weighs 110g.
Huawei Technologies SA CEO Peng Song says the local launch of the device marks a significant milestone for Huawei Device in the region. “We are sending strong signals of our intention to transform into a consumer-facing brand and extend our market leadership by strengthening our range of flagship products.”
The Ascend P1 will compete in the high-end smartphone range with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3, the iPhone 4S and the Nokia Lumia 900. The price point for the device may shake up competition in the space though, as it will be available on a 24-month Business Call contract for R279 per month, which includes a 250MB data bundle per month.
By way of comparison, the Lumia 900, which will go on sale through MTN next week, will cost R369 per month on contract, with a 75MB data bundle. The Galaxy S3 is available on various contract deals, starting from R349 per month (including a 250MB data bundle through Vodacom).
Speaking at the launch event, Vodacom's managing executive of sales, Zunaid Dinath, said Huawei has grown its brand to a point where it now stands “side by side” with other major cellphone brands. Huawei is currently the number one 3G modem supplier in the world and in SA.
“The Ascend P1 smartphone will definitely offer our customers value for money. Its unique elegant design and exceptional performance places it as one of the best smartphones available in its price range,” said Dinath.
“Smartphones have reinvented our world and have put the Internet in people's hands. These devices are also the key driver of data and data revenue on our network.”
According to Dinath, Vodacom currently has five million smartphones registered on its network, and on the average day there are over one million Vodacom smartphone users active on Facebook.
Share