LeTV, the Chinese content company that entered the smartphone market last year, is finally launching its phones tomorrow in India. How ever the pricing of Le 1s and Max could disappoint Indian when it unveils its first two models here.
According to our sources, the company will have to price the Le 1s between Rs 17,000 and 18,000 which is much higher then users are expecting.
“It remains to be seen what their strategy is going to be… If they sell it without subsidies, the final price has to be above Rs 17,000,” said an industry source tracking Chinese smartphone makers’ strategies.
- Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 FHD Screen
- CPU: MTK6795 64bit Octa Core 2.2GHz
- GPU: PowerVR G6200
- System: Android 5.1
- RAM + ROM: 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM
- Camera: Dual Cameras, front camera 5.0MP camera, back camera 13.0MP
- Sensor: Gravity Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor and Fingerprint Sensor
- Bluetooth: 4.0
- Features: GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou
- SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby, one Nano SIM Card, one Micro SIM Card
- Network:2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 850/1900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 1800/2100/2600MHz
However the phone is currently available from international e-commerce websites at $180 (Rs 11,800) including shipping to India. If we addd custom duty and taxes, the final cost works out to Rs 14,500 tha too in a case that it wont get a local warranty and support. While the users who’ve been eagerly waiting the launch of the two phones — including Le Max (India price likely Rs 29,999) are hoping that LeTV will follow the example of Xiaomi, which priced its first model in the country below cost. As a result, the expectation is for LeTV to announce a price of around Rs 14,000 for the phone on Wednesday.
LeTV has an integrated business model in China that includes content-tieups, videos, apps and other ancillary revenue streams that allows them to subsidize the cost of the hardware.
That raises the possibility that the company could try something similar in India, and keep the hardware price low. Even though basis hardware and specification the phone would be an awesome deal at Rs 17,000 – 18,000, however the aggressive marketing has raised the hype around the device.
The Le Max, which also has a 3400 MAh battery, a 21MP rear camera and a 4-UltraPixel front shooter, is expected to be priced around Rs 30,000 for the 64 GB version and around Rs 36,000 for the 128 GB version.
Update :
LeEco launched LeMAx, LeMax Sapphire and Le1S in an event held in Gurgaon on 20th January. LeMa Gold is priced at Rs36,999 and LeMax silver will cost Rs 32,999 while Le1s is priced at Rs. 10999 and will be sold exclusively through Flipkart. Here are some of the products displayed at the event.
Le 1S
Le 1S
LeEco LED Smart 3D TV
Pics credit : Durgesh Baranwal
