Sony targets bigger share of PHL smartphone market

Japan's Sony Corp. wants a bigger share of the Philippine mobile market, targeting businessmen and sports enthusiasts with a water-resistant, long-term evolution smartphone which it launched on Thursday.

 

Sony Philippines Inc. assistant manager for mobile communications Vince de la Cruz told reporters  that company holds a double-digit share of the Android smartphone market in the Philippines and is among the Top 3 in that category. 

 

Dela Cruz also told GMA News Online “we are second in Android" and said the combined features of the new Sony Experia V are niche-marketed to mobile users who are always on the move.

 

A survey by Singapore-based research company GfK showed that the Philippines –  with a staggering 326 percent increase in smartphone sales over the last 12 months – is now considered as the fastest-growing market for the device in Southeast Asia.

 

Last July, GfK reported that one in four Filipinos owns a smartphone as the handset became more affordable to more people.

 

In Sony's home turf Japan, buyers now expect water-resistance as a normal feature of all phone brands and models, Dela Cruz noted.

 

Smart spokesman Ramon Isberto said the Experia V is the first local phone with LTE or 4G (fourth generation) mobile technology, the service will accommodate other brands next year.

 

The new smartphone will be available in the Smart 1500 LTE subscription plan for a limited period starting Dec. 21, and in retail stores for P27,000 by the end of January. 

 

LTE is a game changer in the sense that mobile phone will become more video-heavy, Isberto said. — VS, GMA News