Celkon launches sub $100 high-end smart phones

Hyderabad-based mobile handset firm Celkon has unveiled two dual SIM Android phones with 1GHz processors in the sub-$100 category at Rs 5,229, which could trigger a price war in the high-end mobile handsets market.

Announcing the launch in Hyderabad on Friday, the Celkon Managing Director Y. Guru said they were first global mobile handset company to launch the Android phone with 1GHz processor using 6575 chipset newly developed by Mediatech.

The phones, A95 and A97, come with several advanced features that include 3.2 display, capacitive touch, Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread), 3G, video calling, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.2MP camera, 32GB expandable memory, front camera and 1400MAH battery, he said.

Celkon, which reported Rs 325 crore of revenue last fiscal, has also launched 3D mobile, along with 3D glasses and 3D movies with 4GB memory card, all for Rs 4,500.

Guru said the company, which has roped in cricketer Virat Kohli and film actress Tamanna as brand ambassadors, has lined up eight more advanced smart phones in the $100-200 category to be launched over the next few weeks, preparing for an aggressive play in the smart phones market.

Celkon, which is currently selling some 5 lakh units a month with low-end dual SIM phones accounting for over 60% of sales, is now in talks with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to set up a mobile handsets assembling facility involving an investment of Rs 250 crore.

Expanding the range of affordable smart phones and spreading the geographic presence, the company expects to significantly improve its revenues this fiscal where the smart phones and tablets would contribute at least 40%, said Guru.