ZTE has yet to enter the battle with its own smartwatch. However, according to Lu Qianhao, head of the Shenzhen-based company’s handset marketing strategy, ZTE might be working on some that are predicted to launch somewhere around Q2 2014.
The same Lu Qianhao stated that their aim is not to launch something as prestigious as the Galaxy Gear, but focus on something more budget-friendly and basic. Also, the new smartwatches will be compatible with the ZTE line at first, though there are talks of introducing other versions which will be compatible with all other Android smartphones. Besides the smartwatches, ZTE is also looking into other gadgets, such as the Google Glass, but no specific plans or news are available at the moment.
Mr. Lu said that the new smartwatch should help make ZTE’s smartphones more attractive. He also said that part of ZTE’s strength lies in its deep understanding of telecommunications network technology, as the company’s core business is providing telecom operators with network gear. With more Chinese brands jumping on the smartwatch bandwagon, the fledgling market may soon get crowded with more affordable models, similar to what has already happened to smartphones.
ZTE plans to release on the Chinese market at first, and afterwards gradually make their product available to Europe and the US markets later on.
Thank you The Wall Street Journal for providing us with this information
Image courtesy of BGR
I hope this isn’t the final design. Who would wear that enormous chunk of cheap plastic on their wrists and not be embarrassed. Real classy. I’ll wait until smartwatches are in their 6th or 7th generation before taking a bit more interest.