Newkia Plans Asia Phone by End of 2014. Attempting to differentiate on Design and Ease of Use.

Supposedly building on the Nokia roots, Newkia will release phones that are easy to use and beautifully styled.  The management team has over 50 years combined management experience solely in Asia.

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/newkia-plans-asia-phone-by-end-of-2014-E4CtqYWFRBG3oCvzNdgsEw.html

South East Asia and India first to be targeted. China will be left out as it will require its own go to market programme.  But definitely later on, China will be part of the plan. For the first few months, they’ll be an Asia focused company.

Time stamp for China not said but for the rest of Asia they’ll bring two products, based on ease of design. These designed in a way that when you see them in retail market you’ll notice them. Right now, Urpo says all phones are exactly the same. That’s where Newkia will differentiate (I think Nokias doing that already in terms of design and reinspiring others to bring back colour). India, Indonesia, South East Asia, and then China a little bit after.

Any worries about market saturation in India? Not for smartphones in India as that’s said to definitely be growing. Target market – those buying the smartphones, typically 15-45 years old with 3-400USD in spending power, which is growing in India and elsewhere. Challenges expected? Getting to the market. They’ll be differentiating in terms of design and ease of use.

Looking for partnerships and acquisitions in order to speed the time to market.

Cheers Janne for the tip.

Category: Nokia