Smartphone sales reach $16.4B in Southeast Asia, says Gfk

About 120 million smartphone units were sold in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, in 12 months to August 2014, as low-end sets from new Chinese manufacturers improved the market through affordable versions, market research group Gfk said Tuesday.

 

Sales of smarthpones, including phablets, in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia reached $16.4 billion, a 44-percent increase in volume and 30-percent rise in value year-on-year.

 

"The big developing countries are the ones fuelling the strong urge in adoption as many outside the big cities are probably just making the switch from their basic feature phone and acquiring their first smartphone," according to Gfk.

 

In Southeast Asia, there are about 345 Chinese-branded smarthphones which sell for 58 percent lower than international branded smartphones, Gfk said.

 

“These budget smartphone models have gone down particularly well in the developing markets,” Gfk Asia account director for digital world Gerard Tan said.

 

According to Tan, major international brands are losing share to the Chinese brands in price competition.

 

Low-cost models of smartphones and phablets are within the $50 to $200 range.

 

“Competition in the market will further intensify, as Chinese manufacturers are stepping up their activities in more countries, notably Singapore, Philippines and Thailand,” Tan said.

 

Tan said Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have performed "extremely well" this year, with a 30 percent growth in generated revenue.

 

Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are the fastest growing markets in terms of volume and value.

 

In a separate text message to GMA News Online, Smart Public Affairs head Ramon Isberto said: "This report tends to support previous forecasts that smartphone and tablet sales in the Philippines will rise rapidly in the coming years." 

 

Globe Telecom Inc. still haven't replied to GMA News Online queries as of this posting. – VS, GMA News