Smartphones, tablets to hog fair IT sales | Bangkok Post: tech

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The smartphone and tablet boom is poised to stimulate IT device sales at Thailand International Mobile Show 2012, says the event organiser.

Models show off the Optimus 4X mobile phone, LG’s first quadcore smartphone. The Android 4.0 device has an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 4.7-inch True HD IPS display and eight-megapixel camera. It also boasts a powerful 2,150mAh battery. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

The falling prices of mobile devices and advanced-technology gear will also spur demand, said Opas Cherdpunt, managing director of M Vision, the annual event organiser.

"We expect to see total sales of 1.3 billion baht this year, equal to last year's figure," he said.

The four-day event, running until Sunday, is held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre on Bang Na-Trat Road for the first time to capitalise on growing mobile device demand in eastern Bangkok. The fair was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in central Bangkok in previous years.

Mr Opas said M Vision spent 30 million baht to almost triple the exhibition space this year to accommodate increased demand from mobile vendors and the anticipated rising number of visitors.

He said higher living cost may have a minimal impact on IT spending as consumers in Thailand are quick to adopt new technologies, especially those driven by quad-core processors that support mobile multitasking.

So far, three vendors _ Samsung, HTC and LG _ offer Android-based handsets powered by quad-core chips.

Mr Opas said the average selling price of high-end smartphones has increased by 10-15% to 21,900 baht from previously 18,900, thanks to more advanced technologies and low price competition in the market.

The average price for mid-tier smartphones declined by between 3,000 and 5,000 baht to 6,000-17,000 baht this year.

He said tablets are also likely to drive sales at the event, thanks to the government's One Tablet per Child policy.

Many Chinese tablet brands and household tablets offer prices starting from 2,000 baht a unit.

However, Mr Opas said major international tablets brands slashed prices to between 8,000 and 12,000 baht from 18,900 baht. One major sale bundled with a data tariff plan is a zero-interest instalment plan for iPhone 4S from AIS, DTAC and TrueMove.

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