VietNamNet Bridge - The mid-tier smartphone market segment is dominated by Samsung and Oppo in Vietnam.

Reports show that models priced at VND3-7 million are bestsellers and bring high turnover to manufacturers.

According to The Gioi Di Dong (Mobile World), the largest smartphone distribution chain in Vietnam, the mid-range, not the high-end segment, is the major battlefield for smartphone manufacturers in 2017. 

In the high-end market segment, there are two rivals – Samsung and Apple. The mid-end market has popular models from Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Sony, HTC, Mobiistar, Motorola and Nokia.

In the high-end market segment, there are two rivals – Samsung and Apple. The mid-end market has popular models from Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Sony, HTC, Mobiistar, Motorola and Nokia. To attract more buyers, mid-end phones have new features and high technologies such as dual cameras and fingerprint sensors.

Samsung and Oppo are the two biggest rivals in the market with Oppo focusing only on the mid-end segment. 

Oppo’s F1s, A37 and A39 and Samsung’s J2, J3, J5 and J7 models are on the lists of bestsellers at FPT Shop and The Gioi Di Dong, the two largest distribution chains in Vietnam. Apple’s previous-generation models are also on the list at various times. 

Samsung, Oppo and Apple still are the best known brands in Vietnam. However, analysts predict that the market structure may see big changes in the time to come. 

Vivo, a new face, unexpectedly appeared on FPT Shop’s list of 10 bestsellers in the third quarter of 2017.

Huawei launched Nova 2i, a mid-tier model with four cameras and the latest features. The model has retail price of VND5.99 million, which analysts say is ‘surprisingly low’ compared with its configuration, features and associated gifts, which were offered only to high-end product buyers in the past.

Sources said 5,000 orders for Nova 2i have been placed at The Gioi Di Dong, an impressive figure usually achieved by the three big players Samsung, Oppo and Apple.  

After Huawei introduced the model, Mobiistar cut the retail price of Prime X Max, the best model of the manufacturer, from VND6.789 million to VND5.99 million.

Vivo and Huawei are the first to sell models with infinity display screens in the mid-end market segment in Vietnam.

Oppo plans to launch F5, also with infinity display screen, on November 4. Analysts commented that it would have to consider the pricing strategy thoroughly once Nova 2i is priced at below VND6 million.

Analysts said Nokia and Vietnamese brands could also be a big rival to the big players. 

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Chi Mai