Shenzen-based smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is planning to unveil two new handsets in the second half of 2015.
Instead of merely releasing the latest update to its widely-acclaimed OnePlus One smartphone launched last year, the Chinese smartphone maker is planning to roll out the OnePlus Two for its high-end market but has yet to disclose the name of its upcoming smartphone to cater for the low-end or budget-conscious market.
Forbes believes that the decision of OnePlus to go for both extremes of the market is a smart move because it has already engaged the interest and established a specific fan base in the high-end segment with its OnePlus One smartphone.
Given its high-end specifications at a lower price for its budget-friendly or mid-range handset would mean that the Chinese company is willing to sacrifice its profit margins just to be able to establish another niche market.
It is expected that the low-end brand of OnePlus shall take on directly against the Lenovo’s Moto G which actually addresses both extreme ends of the market.
Release dates
Accordingly, the OnePlus Two smartphone will be launched in the third quarter of this year while the low-end handset from the company will be rolled out in the last quarter of 2015.
While the OnePlus Two is expected to have a good following, especially the satisfied users of OnePlus One, the company’s mid-range handset would be up for a tough competition as the market is also loaded with Chinese competitors namely Xiaomi, Huawei, and Lenovo.
Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, among other big name smartphone makers are also present in the same smartphone category so it is quite a crowded market really.
Word has it that OnePlus will be compromising its price and some specifications for its budget smartphone to enable it to compete in the ultra-competitive market
But the strategy to cover both ends of the smartphone sales spectrum is a good one on the part of OnePlus as it may actually deliver the sales growth that the Chinese company is looking for.
Lofty target
The Chinese smartphone maker has set its sights on tripling its 2014 sales to three million units in 2015 and then eventually selling 10 million units at the end of 2016.
It’s a lofty target for a fledgling company which is buoyed by optimism as a result of the splendid performance of its breakthrough OnePlus One handset successfully rolled out into the market last year.
To be able to achieve its ambitious goal, it is imperative for OnePlus to break out of the single wonder-handset that it is currently being labelled. The OnePlus Two would be a determining factor and defining moment for this year’s target of the Chinese company.
It’s also nice that it has a low-end smartphone in the works so that the company can show to the public that it also has the heart for the budget-conscious consumers rather than focusing solely on the niche market of OnePlus One.