On behalf of Huawei Consumer Business Group and Huawei Malaysia, Ogilvy Public Relations (Malaysia) issued a media statement yesterday claiming that the sale of Samsung Galaxy S7edge in Malaysia “was disappointing due to over-pricing and lacking innovation”.
The media statement, which is copied at the end of this article, was issued to promote Huawei’s latest smartphone in Malaysia, the Huawei P9 which will be available next week.
Huawei said that “As the third global smartphone brand, Huawei is increasing its market share in Malaysia, with Samsung being its closest competitor in the Android smartphone market”
“Smartphone players in Malaysia are currently competing for market share, and Huawei is definitely hot on its wheels. In truth, competitions like this will benefit the end users. Apart from providing consumers more choices on quality products, channel distributors are able to work with more brands to create a healthy smartphone market.”
Based on the media statement, Huawei’s claim on Samsung S7 edge sales in Malaysia appears to come without any supporting report or independent analysis.
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was launched around March in Malaysia. The latest smartphone from Samsung carries a retail price tag of RM3,099. Despite being one of the most expensive smartphone in the market, MalaysianWireless learned that the major Malaysian Telcos were quickly running out of stocks within few days of launch.
The sale of Samsung Galaxy S7 edge also did well globally. Two analyst firm, Counterpoint Research and Korea Investment & Securities both said Samsung sold close to 10 million S7 so far. Prior to these reports, there was also another story saying that Carphone Warehouse reported a 200% increase in pre-orders compared with those of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
According to calculations by market research firm Gartner, 349 million smartphones were sold worldwide in the first quarter of 2016. Out of these numbers, Samsung remains No.1 with more than 81 million units, while Huawei is No.3 at 28.9 million units.
We have reached out to Samsung Malaysia for a comment. In the meantime, full statement from Huawei below:
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Huawei P9 series is hot on its wheels with Leica, setting its eyes on Samsung GS7 Edge’s market share With consumers around the world taking billions of pictures using their smartphones, it is evident that taking photos has become one of smartphone’s most important functions. Following the footsteps of the M-series smartphones for business users, the Huawei P9 series (Huawei P9 & Huawei P9 Plus) comes with stunning design and state-of-the-art imaging technology. Making its debut in London on April 6, Huawei P9 series has partnered with global iconic camera brand Leica, to give P9 an edge in technological standard and superior imaging quality.
Collaborating with Leica to take smartphone imaging to the next level
With world-class German technology, the iconic camera brand Leica was established in 1913, which then produced the world’s first 35mm camera. With its 100-year of brand history, Leica is synonymous to a premium brand. Its optical hardware is coupled with outstanding image quality, richness and superior lenses, a very much sought after brand by the affluent, which goes with the saying that “Every Leica has its own character.” As one of Huawei’s latest flagship products, the Huawei P9 series was born from the collaboration with Leica to design and develop state-of-the-art imaging system. With Leica’s optical lenses hardware and calibration with imaging software, the Huawei P9 series produces pictures with Leica’s hallmark of imaging effects.
The Huawei P9 series of smartphones are equipped with a dual-camera design pioneered by Huawei, with two 12-megapixel sensors – one RGB color and one black and white – allowing the P9 and P9 Plus to capture up to 50 percent more detail and 300 percent more light than conventional single-camera smartphone designs. These features allow users to take pictures with superior image clarity, detail, richness and color authenticity.
The Huawei P9 series camera lenses are co-engineered and co-developed by Huawei and Leica, subject to stringent quality screening by engineers at Leica in accordance with the most demanding quality criterion. One notable mention is the Huawei P9’s three color photo taking modes: standard, smooth and vivid colors, allowing users to reproduce authentic colors, capturing the artistic style of photography. Besides the three Leica color modes, the iconic monochrome mode is also available. Throughout history, Leica monochrome cameras have taken various timeless and famous photos, allowing us to walk down the memory lane to experience the culture and ambience of that time.
On top of that, through Huawei’s proprietary technology, P9 is equipped with the capability to capture images with superior clarity even in low-light conditions. Complimented by Huawei’s Hybrid Focus technology, P9 enables users to take pictures with superior speed, accuracy and stability. Besides, with its large-aperture photography feature, users can produce images with distinct styles, further enhancing their photography experience with the P9.
Commenting on the collaboration with Huawei, Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Leica Camera AG said, “Together with Huawei, we are committed to offer uncompromised imaging excellence, bringing the Leica technology and quality to more consumers. Moving forward, we will further our partnership in innovating smartphone camera lenses, enhancing image quality and user experience, as well as developing sales channels,”
P-series take industrial design to a higher level
Huawei P9 series has adopted the same minimalist design concept from the earlier products in the P-series premium smartphones. Each of the P9 is perfect constructed in superior-grade 2.5D glass and aerospace-class unibody aluminum. With Huawei’s world-leading metal finishing techniques, the Ceramic White version of the P9 has a metal surface with superior smoothness and premium feel of high-quality white ceramic. The P9 Haze Gold finishing has utilized techniques such as brushed hairlines and metal polishing at a micron-level precision to create a translucent metal surface.
Employing world-leading finishing techniques including ultra-fine brushed hairlines and metal polishing, the P9 presents different shades of awe-inspiring colors as ambient and lighting conditions change.
Huawei P9 series to change the way you see the world with the support of Hollywood Stars
Following the appointment of Messi in March as Huawei global ambassador, the stunning design and world-class imaging technology of the P9 series have gained quite a following by Hollywood superstars. In the latest P9 TV commercial, Hollywood stars Henry Cavill and Scarlett Johansson were presented as the global product ambassador for the P9 series. In addition to the TV commercial, a stunning P9 print advertisement, directed by world-renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino, was also unveiled. Being the ambassador and the first P9 user, Scarlett Johansson shared her experience with the P9. She opines that the P9 brings in a novel way of recording and sharing stories – a perfect combination of technology and art, which has changed the way she sees the world.
Meanwhile, Henry Cavill also expressed his recognition of P9 for its quality and richness in details. He added that the partnership with Huawei would provide ample opportunities to explore new territories while at the same time, being at the forefront of the fashion industry.
Huawei P9 series eyeing on Samsung’s share in the Malaysian market
As the third global smartphone brand, Huawei is increasing its market share in Malaysia, with Samsung being its closest competitor in the Android smartphone market. Since the Samsung Galaxy S7edge March launch in Malaysia, the result was disappointing due to over-pricing and lacking innovation. Given the collaboration with Leica on their imaging technology, stunning design, and unrivaled features, the P9 and P9 Plus (equipped with Press Touch technology) will place Huawei as Samsung’s key competitor. Smartphone players in Malaysia are currently competing for market share, and Huawei is definitely hot on its wheels. In truth, competitions like this will benefit the end users. Apart from providing consumers more choices on quality products, channel distributors are able to work with more brands to create a healthy smartphone market.
Additional: Channel distributors in China are profiting due to shortage of Huawei P9.
Backed by the collaboration with Leica and endorsement by renowned superstars, the Huawei P9 series will be available in the Malaysian market very soon. Its official retail price in Malaysia has yet to be announced. Being the first market for P9, China is experiencing a huge shortage despite the fact that consumers are willing to purchase it at a higher price. As a result, channel distributors are profiting due to this shortage. Although Huawei has not announced its retail price in Malaysia, there were already enquiries and bookings from consumers at the Huawei stores. Smuggled P9 devices were found in Lowyat mall, with selling prices to be as high as RM 3,000. [/box]
Update 1 (25 May 2016):
Huawei has “retracted” their statement completely about Samsung around 3pm yesterday. Full statement that we received below.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ]Please accept our deepest apologies, but we highly appreciate your assistance to remove the article titled Huawei says: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge in Malaysia “disappointing”, “over-pricing” & “lacking innovation” which was posted on Malaysian Wireless today, 24 May, 2016, as it contains inappropriate information.
On behalf of Huawei Malaysia and Huawei Consumer Business Group, we are truly sorry for any inconvenience caused and we will be sending you an updated version shortly.[/box]
However, as of today, MalaysianWireless is still waiting for the “updated version” that Huawei promised.
In response to our article yesterday, Samsung Malaysia Electronics (SME) Sdn. Bhd. made the following statement.
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” ] The Samsung Galaxy S7 has enjoyed overwhelming response since its launch in Malaysia, affirming its popularity and further cementing its position as a game-changing smartphone in today’s competitive smartphone industry.
As reported by *IDC in its report “Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker” dated 27 April 2016, Samsung remained the leader in the worldwide smartphone market with the new Galaxy S7 flagship model which sold vigorously in the month of March 2016. Sales of the Galaxy S7 flagship contributed to 81.9 million in global sales of Samsung smartphones, capturing 24.5% of global market share in first quarter of 2016.
Leading the smartphone market globally is a great start for Samsung in 2016 and this will continue to be our motivation to remain as the market leader in mobile devices globally and in Malaysia.
*Source : http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS41216716[/box]
