LG to launch 20 new models

SMART PHONES

In order to tap the increasing popularity of smart phones, LG Electronics (Thailand) plans to launch 20 new smart phone models over next year with the first LG Android operating system to be unveiled by the end of January.

LG Chocolate, part of the 3G LG Black Label Series.

According to Somsak Athisaitrakul, LG Electronics (Thailand) product group head (Mobile Communications) senior manager, the mid-to-high and smart phone markets are likely to be a growing segment for next year due to the expected 3G network operation.

Consumers also tend to upgrade their phones to those with more functions, he said adding that if the 3G network runs, it will boost the smart phone market by at least 100 percent.

LG last week launched the fourth model Chocolate of the LG Black Label Series, BL40 and BL20. Supporting 3G, the BL40 features a 4-inch HD LCD screen with a panoramic view in 21:9 ratio offering the same experience as that in the theatre, displays in dual screen UI. The BL20 comes with a 5-megapixel, 2.4-inch TFT touch screen.

Differentiation of LG Chocolate is its elegant design, said Somsak, adding that LG has a partnership with Twentieth Century Fox to promote LG's new Chocolate through the epic Avatar movie.

The 21:9 ratio panoramic view enables easier message viewing and surfs the web with complete web display, he said, adding that LG targets to ship some 500-1,000 LG BL40 units a month and 5,000 LG BL20 units per month.

Currently, LG is the number four in the mobile phone sector with some 7 percent market share, compared to 2 percent last year. The growth factors of the company's market share are from the new products line up, channel network revision and after-sales service improvement. In the past, LG delivered products through distributors, but in the middle of this year, the company changed its channel structure by providing directly to trade and retail chain stores.

Somsak added that LG has also developed after-sales service and opened LG Stores in six department stores in Bangkok, which will increase to 20 stores by next year including provincial areas. "LG Stores also offer services to customers," he said, noting that the restructuring in channel distribution allows the company to better manage the control inventory. The 20 new models to be launched next year comprise LG OS, Windows Mobile and Android.

Relate Search: LG Electronics (Thailand), LG Chocolate, 3G LG Black Label Series.