HTC to Launch Windows Phone 7 Smartphones in Taiwan's Market

Strategic Insights -

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp. (TAIEX:2498) is set to kickstart the sales of two new Windows Phone 7 (WP7) smartphones, the HTC HD7 and HTC 7 Mozart, in Taiwan through two local telecom carriers, Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX:2412) and Taiwan Mobile Co. (TAIEX:3045). This move is anticipated to revitalize the local mobile handset market. HTC HD7 will be available for purchase from both carriers, while HTC 7 Mozart will be exclusive to Chunghwa Telecom. The launch of HTC's WP7 smartphones in Taiwan comes after reports that sales of the devices have surpassed expectations in other markets, including Germany's O2 and Australia's Telstra, which sold out their WP7 inventories in late October. This positive trend may have a ripple effect in the United States, where two more HTC WP7 smartphones, the HTC 7 Surround and HTC HD7, are set to launch on November 8.

Key Takeaways:

  • HTC plans to release two new Windows Phone 7 (WP7) smartphones, HTC HD7 and HTC 7 Mozart, in Taiwan through two local carriers, Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile Co.
  • Sales of HTC's WP7 smartphones have exceeded expectations in other markets, including Germany's O2 and Australia's Telstra, which sold out their WP7 inventories in late October.
  • The launch of HTC's WP7 smartphones in Taiwan may revitalize the local mobile handset market and have a positive impact on the US market, where two more HTC WP7 smartphones are set to launch on November 8.
  • HTC shipped 5.8 million smartphones globally in the third quarter, accounting for a 7.2-percent market share, slipping to fourth place in the world market.
  • Samsung Electronics sold over 5 million units of its Android-based Galaxy S smartphone since its launch in July.
  • Global smartphone shipments exceeded 200 million units for the first three quarters, with a year-on-year growth of 67.6 percent.
  • Global smartphone shipments saw a year-over-year growth of 90 percent in the July-September period, reaching 81.1 million units.

Statistics:

  • HTC plans to release two new WP7 smartphones in Taiwan.
  • Global smartphone shipments reached 81.1 million in the July-September period, a year-on-year growth of 90 percent.
  • HTC shipped 5.8 million smartphones globally in the third quarter, accounting for a 7.2-percent market share.
  • Global smartphone shipments exceeded 200 million units for the first three quarters.
  • Samsung Electronics sold over 5 million units of its Galaxy S smartphone since its launch in July.
  • The year-on-year growth of global smartphone shipments is 67.6 percent.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, Nov 8
  • CNA
  • Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX:2412)
  • Taiwan Mobile Co. (TAIEX:3045)
  • International Data Corp. (IDC)