Google-LG handset initial response said to be amazing: Official
Electronics major LG is looking to expand retail channel base for Nexus 5 smartphone - which south Korean major developed in partnership with Google - in the UAE, a senior company official said.
"Nexus was launched first on Souq to create online hype and after that we tied up with Jumbo Electronics in the UAE for retail sale. Now we are in the stage of expanding channels and distributor stores and expect it to be on other channels soon," said Stan Lee, General Manager of Mobile Division at LG Electronics Gulf FZE.
Packed with latest operating system Android 4.4 KitKat, the slimmest and fastest Google Nexus phone went on sale in the emirates in November 2013.
Google launched the handset first online in 17 countries on October 31 while LG sold it offline.
Nexus 5 has been very well received in the UAE, Lee said, adding that "initial response was amazing... Not everyone in the Middle East and Africa have access to online market so users seeking Nexus 5 devices will have to buy through retail stores."
Available in black and white colours only, Nexus 5 has also generated strong interest in Kuwait. "The best response has been in Kuwait," Lee added.
The handset has been priced at Dh1,999 on online retailer Souq and Dh2,099 at Jumbo Electronics.
Lee said Nexus 5 has unique proposition, incorporating the latest technology and a number of Google's exclusive features.
Lee forecast that demand for the number of units in the Gulf will not explode as much of the growth potential is other markets such as Africa. "The GCC countries with higher income such as UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have already high proportion of smartphones in the world; so we don't expect numbers of explode."
© Emirates 24|7 2013
