Coming to America: More Chinese Smartphones
Chinese smartphone makers are looking to move further into the U.S. market — aiming to supply low-cost phones to the top U.S. carriers.
Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. already sell mobile devices in the U.S., but many of them are basic flip phones and mobile modems or are only for smaller prepaid-phone companies. The companies want that to change.
ZTE says it will quadruple the number of smartphones it ships globally to 12 million this year, including its first model for a top-tier wireless provider in the U.S. Huawei, which already provides a smartphone to the smaller prepaid providers, said it is in talks with the four national carriers.
Huawei’s and ZTE’s push into the U.S. comes at fortuitous time for the companies. Both are known for their ability to supply low-cost products, which have become more crucial as carriers seek to get smartphones in as many hands as possible. As a result, both companies are expecting an expanded presence in the U.S.
