Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Vivo has set its sights on dominating South Africa’s mid-range 5G smartphone market.
So says Fred Liu, chief executive of Vivo Mobile SA, who notes the company plans to side-step the growing competition in this market.
Vivo has made inroads in the local smartphone market since its official debut in 2019. The smartphone brand, which is present in 60 markets across the globe, has rolled out a number of devices in SA, including the Y21S, Y11, Y1S, V21 5G and X50 series.
Recently, Vivo unveiled its V-series range of devices – V25 5G and V25e – which Liu believes will appeal to the local market.
The new devices are now available at major retailers throughout the country, and are priced at R14 999 for the V25 5G and R10 999 for the V25e.
The company says as the fast pace of smartphone evolution continues, it is aiming to build a bridge between humans and the digital world.
This, as analysts say there is still growing demand for smartphones. Research firm Statista says only 20 million to 22 million people in SA use a smartphone, which accounts for about one-third of the country's population.
“For Vivo, to enter into a new market, the first thing is to understand the consumer, especially the consumers’ needs, and then we think of how we can satisfy the consumer, and the people in that market,” Liu tells ITWeb.
“The most important thing for us is our customer, to satisfy their needs, and most importantly to utilise our advantage to make them happy.”
To achieve this, Vivo says it is supported by a network of research and development centres scattered across China, focusing on the development of consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, imaging systems and other up-and-coming technologies.
In an interview with ITWeb on the sidelines of the launch of the V-series devices, Liu said the company isn’t worried about competition.
“We don’t differentiate just for the purposes of differentiation. For Vivo, we care more about who is our customer, what do they need, and how can we satisfy them.
“In terms of the competition, we don’t care much about competition because we have been competing with other brands for over 10 years; we know each other.”
Tony Shi, general manager, Vivo Mobile SA, says the phone maker is focusing on the low- and mid-range market, touting the quality of photography on the devices.
“At Vivo, we strive to spark creativity and joy around the world, while understanding the needs of smartphone users in different markets. The V25e comes with cutting-edge camera technologies, a colour-changing rear panel, and strong capabilities that deliver robust performance.”
Turning the specs of the latest V-series, the company says the smartphones were designed for users who express themselves through video and photography.
“The new V25 5G and V25e will give users the power to embark on a self-expression journey and capture glowing portraits with the phones’ stunning camera capabilities, powered by high-performance, energy-efficient hardware cased in an exquisite body with a glossy, innovative aesthetic.
“Both the flagship V25 5G and V25e have three rear cameras, with a 64MP OIS ultra-sensing camera to minimise blurry shots and support a longer exposure time, creating clearer and brighter images and 4K videos even in dim lighting conditions,” says Vivo.
Share