Dell to focus on smartphones in India

NEW DELHI: US-based computer-maker Dell today said it will introduce more smartphone models this year to strengthen its presence in the country.

"We entered the handset category late, but that gave us a chance to study the market well. We will introduce more products in the market this year to strengthen our position here," Dell India General Manager (Consumers and Assembly Segment) Mahesh Bhalla told reporters here.

He, however, declined to comment on the models and price points that the company was looking at for the Indian market.

Dell made its entry into the Indian smartphone market in November last year with its XCD28 and XCD35 handsets. The handsets were priced at Rs 10,990 and Rs 16,990.

The smartphone category has grown significantly over the last two years, both in India and overseas, with companies like HTC, Samsung, Nokia, Research in Motion, Apple and Acer launching a slew of handsets at various price points.

According to IDC, mobile phone vendors were expected to ship 269.6 million smartphones globally in 2010, compared to 173.5 million units in 2009.