LG launches phone with 5-megapixel camera

HANDSETS / ANTICIPATING 3G NETWORKS

LG launches phone with 5-megapixel camera

SASIWIMON BOONRUANG

LG Electronics (Thailand) expects 3G networks to be available here this year, recently launching the Viewty phone, its first 3G handset that it hopes will enhance LG's brand presence here.

Having been in Thailand for four years now, LG created waves in the mobile phone market here when it launched the LG Chocolate phone in 2005 and then the following year with the Prada phone, embodying touch screen technology. Now, LG believes it's the turn of the Viewty to turn heads with its combination of design and function.

With a five million pixel resolution camera certified by Schneider Kreuznach the new mobile phone comes with professional functions, manual and auto focus, ISO8000 capabilities, an image stabilizer and high-speed 120-fps video recording, according to Terry Jeong, LG Electronics (Thailand)'s product director for its Mobile Business.

The LG Viewty 3G phone with a 5 megapixel camera made its debut here recently.

Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia that LG chooses to launch new products in and once they are successful here, he said, they would also be introduced in other countries.

According to Alongkorn Chujit, deputy managing director of LG Electronics (Thailand), LG sold around 600,000 mobile phones in this year, gaining a four percent market share. The company targets to have an eight percent share over the coming year.

The company also plans to invest more in creating LG's corporate brand, with 33 million of 900 million baht to be allocated exclusively for the mobile phone business.

Mobile phones so far generate around ten percent of LG Thailand's revenues and next year the company has targetted increasing this to 15%, Alongkorn said.

He noted that the sales of 3G models would start contributing to revenues next year and the Viewty would be the first 3G mobile from LG on the market.

"Competition will more severe over the coming year and mobile operators will focus more on technology development because, apart from design, consumers require higher features," Alongkorn said.

He added that of a total of nine million mobile phones that were expected to be sold this year, 70% would be replacement units.

The company also plans to launch its KS20 model smart phone early this year.