The new Nokia line-up includes the E72 smartphone with a fully 'QWERTY' keyboard. --PHOTO: NOKIA
LONDON/SEOUL - THE world's two largest cellphone makers, Nokia and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, unveiled new phones on Monday, offering features comparable to iPhone and Pre, but at lower prices.
Samsung revamped in one go its smartphones portfolio, unveiling four new models to its Omnia range - the Omnia II, the OmniaLITE and two OmniaPRO models, all using Microsoft Corp's Windows Mobile software.
Punchy price points help
IN the last two weeks Apple Inc's launch of an updated version of iPhone and Palm Inc's Pre model have heated up competition in the sweet-spot of an otherwise shrinking industry.
'What is clear is that we are heading to one of the most competitive fourth-quarters we have had,' said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.
Samsung also launched a new mass-market 'Jet' model on Monday, which differs from some 150 phones Samsung launches per year with its full touch screen, a next-generation display and improved processor to deliver fast mobile Internet access.
The company said it will reach new, untapped markets of consumers who want smartphone functionality at a 'reasonable price.' It did not reveal the price of the phone, but analysts said it was comparable to most mid-range models.
Top cellphone maker Nokia launched three new handsets on Monday, including a new touch-screen model, the 5530 Xpressmusic, which would sell for 199 euros (S$400) before subsidies and taxes, starting next quarter.
'Nokia is trying to address the very competitive mid-range space given the prices of the Pre and the new iPhone,' said Gartner's Milanesi.
'Nokia can also benefit from a lower contract tariff than these two devices have, which will make the products more competitive, but certainly not offering a comparable user experience.'
The cellphone industry saw its worst-ever quarter in January-to-March, with the market shrinking 14 per cent from a year ago and Nokia reporting its first-ever quarterly pretax loss.
Several companies and analysts have said the worst could well be over for the industry because the fall was partly caused by retailers selling stockpiles of older phones, but only a few have seen any improvement in demand. -- REUTERS
