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Samsung dials ‘M’ for millennials, set to disrupt Xiaomi’s Redmi
By Nishant Arora
New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) The Indian smartphone market — currently undergoing great churning at both the hardware and software levels — is set to witness a game-changing moment this month in the Samsung Galaxy ‘M’ series devices that may redefine the affordable and mid-level price segments currently dominated by the Chinese players.
The South Korean giant, which has a significant presence across price points in the country, would this month launch two smartphones — M10 for around Rs 9,500 and M20 for nearly Rs 15,000 — with not-seen-before specifications like Infinity-V display in this segment.
According to reliable industry sources, the third smartphone M30 with triple-rear camera system will probably arrive next month.
The first-ever ‘M’ series smartphones with industry-first features are currently being manufactured for the millennials at Samsung’s factory in Noida. It will be a global launch for the ‘M’ series in India and may reach other markets later.
According to experts, Samsung which is still the most vertical integrated player in the Indian market, has set its eyes firmly on de-throwning Xiaomi’s highly-successful Redmi series in the affordable and mid-price range segment.
“Samsung has access to latest display, camera, memory and connectivity technologies from hardware perspective. Further, it can enjoy global scale for the same ‘M’ models more than Xiaomi,” Neil Shah, Partner and Research Director at Counterpoint Research told IANS.
According to Shah, Samsung can surely compete well if it has the right value proposition in terms of design, specs and more so camera to take on Xiaomi.
“Samsung is also in better position in offline market and a robust service network. The only caveat has been Xiaomi sacrificing margins and out-pricing competition — the challenge which Samsung will have to crack with these new models,” Shah noted.
Galaxy M20 will house a massive 5,000mAh battery — the first-ever on any Samsung smartphone — a big plus for phone users in the country who treat battery life as one of their key requirements. M20 will house a 3,500mAh battery.
“Samsung’s new Galaxy ‘M’ series of smartphones with industry-first features indicates the importance it accords to India as a growth market,” said Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CyberMedia Research (CMR).
“It would look at bolstering and taking the fight to Xiaomi in this price segment, and further cement its leadership in Indian market,” Ram told IANS.
The launch of the ‘M’ series in India, following months of R&D carried out by Samsung India, would be in line with the company’s strategy to consolidate its position among the country’s millennials.
“There is a need for Samsung to pep up their presence in the affordable and mid-price segment. For sometime, the company emphasised on the premium and luxury segments but now is the time to refresh the bouquet for the highly-saleable segments in our country,” emphasised Faisal Kawoosa, Founder and Principal Analyst, techARC.
Samsung that has always believed in being humble when it comes to answering the growing competition is also set to change the game for over 700 million feature phone users who would now have better options to upgrade.
Samsung Mobile today is the most attractive brand in India, a TRA Research report said last month.
“Samsung offers phones with prices ranging from Rs 8,000-75,000 and this very variety sets it aside from other mobile manufacturers,” said N. Chandramouli, CEO of TRA Research.
“A differentiated product strategy would fuel Samsung’s further growth in India,” added Ram.
(Nishant Arora can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.