Huawei makes comeback with P20 Pro, P20 Lite smartphones in India

Chinese firm Huawei today launched its high-end 'Huawei' brand smartphones in India for the third time with dual-price strategy, targetting both mid and premium range handset buyers.

"Availability of Huawei phones will be in India. I can see influx of Huawei team resource to help set up Huawei business in India. I have not seen such seriousness from Huawei brand in the past. I do believe that Huawei brand is looking for serious approach this time," Huawei Consumer Business Group Vice President - Sales, P Sanjeev, said.

He was responding to a query around relaunching Huawei smartphones after having discontinued two times in the past. Huawei had last launched Huawei brand smartphone in India in August 2016.

"We were holding on Huawei brand becuase of focus on Honor. It is not about market share... Huawei brand is very clear. They want to take one step at a time and make sure that best products are available in India. It is not about chasing market share. Separate team will handle Huawei and Honor," Sanjeev said.

Huawei sells its phones under two brands 'Huawei' that targets buyers in the premium segment and 'Honor' which focuses on economy to mid-range segment.

According to Counterpoint Research report, Honor smartphone market share in India more than doubled to 3.4 per cent in first quarter of 2018 from 1.4 per cent a year ago.

The company launched Huawei P20 lite for Rs 19,999 and P20 Pro for Rs 64,999 a unit.

"Position of P20 Pro is for professional photographers. P20 lite is for people who are aspiring to have modern phone. In India 80 per cent of customers buy phones below Rs 15,000. If you go above Rs 20,000, you are talking about hardly 5-7 per cent," Sanjeev said.

He said that pricing of P20 lite may clash with Honor smartphones but both the devices have different set of target market.

Both the devices will be available on Amazon from May 3.

"We are taking one step at a time. It will be both online and offline. Fastest to bring (product) to market is online partnership. That is why we have forged relationship with Amazon," Sanjeev said.