MWC: Chinese enterprises set to meet world's demand on smartphones

Gionee President Lu Weibing delivers the keynote speech at the brand's new product launch event at the Mobile World Congress 2017, Barcelona, Spain, Feb 27, 2017. [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese smartphone vendors are keen on pushing a "go-abroad" strategy as the domestic market matures.

Despite the brands that have ranked in the top spots by overseas shipments, such as Huawei, Vivo and Oppo, other Chinese manufactures, like Gionee and TCL, who also frequent the Mobile World Congress (MWC), are seeking new ways to lure foreign buyers.

Shenzhen-based Gionee announced a new lineup of A series smartphones focused on the selfie function.

"We've built a strong network in India as we presented about 400 brick and mortar stores locally and the revenue raised 2.3 percent compared to last year," Lu Weibing, president of Gionee, told chinadaily.com.cn.

Lu said the first two products of the A series, A1 and A1 Plus, will hit the Indian market in March.

Since 2011, the brand has been moving rapidly to expand its presence in the overseas market, including India, Nigeria, Vietnam, Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

According to Lu, Gionee is selling in North and West Africa, Middle East countries, and Central Asia countries such as Afghanistan.

Lu said the company is in discussions with European local carriers, aiming to throw its hat into the new market.

A report from US telecom research company Strategy Analytics said that Gionee was among the top smartphone brands in China and is ranked in the top 10 worldwide, with 30 million handsets sold last year.

According to industry consultant International Data Corporation, as of the first half of last year, China exported about 630 million handset units, and more than 100 million were shipped with Chinese-branded names.

Alain Lejeune, TCL's senior vice president showcases Blackberry KEYone on Feb 27, 2017, Barcelona, Spain. [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

TCL Communications, which is Blackberry's exclusive manufacturing partner, sets another example of Chinese smartphone vendors who are exploring new ways to strengthen overseas market share.

Alain Lejeune, TCL's SVP and head of the Blackberry business division, told chinadaily.com.cn the newly-launched Blackberry KEYone is designed by TCL's Ningbo R&D center and the security system, which is always highlighted as a selling point for the brand, is operated by Blackberry's Canadian team.

Lejeune said the uniquely designed physical QWERTY keyboard will meet the demand of 25 percent of potential smartphone consumers.

Statistics from the consulting company, IH Technology, show that with 34 million units shipped around the globe, TCL ranked seventh on the top 10 list of China's smartphone vendors by shipment volume.