This article was written by Elroy Chibex
TECNO has just
launched a new flagship device for 2015 – the TECNO Phantom 5. The
MobilityArena.com team was present at the launch event and enjo
yed all
its glitz and glamour. We already had a unit of this phone even before
the launch event, so we got to play with it and discovered what an
amazing device it was upfront.
Going through Nairaland
and other Nigerian forums, you will see and hear people voicing their
various concerns. A TECNO phone for N70,000? Why would you or should you
buy a TECNO phone for such a huge price?
This is a reply for all
those complaining. I don’t have my allegiance sworn to TECNO or any
other brand. Rather, as a more privileged observer these are my
thoughts.
TECNO as we know it in the Nigerian market pride
themselves as makers of value for money smartphones. Over the years they
have done well in that aspect and provide Nigerians with affordable
smartphones. In fact to be honest, TECNO has contributed to bringing the
internet to many Nigerians.
So, people associate TECNO with cheap devices for the mid and lower class people that can afford it.
I
remember 2013 when TECNO launched their first flagship, TECNO Phantom
A. People cried wolf, but those that bought it bought it. Next was the
even more expensive Phantom Z. Some people even wailed louder, and
myself and many others still bought it.
Now we have a much better
smartphone and people are still wailing. Again, I believe that people
will still buy. People understand value and the Phantom 5 is great
value. Devices in its class cost N20,000 more than it does, so it still
follows TECNO’s mantra of providing value-for-money smartphones.
Looking at all the cries, complaints and criticisms. I came to two huge conclusions:
The people that are crying do so because they have not held used or even touched this phone
They cry foul because this is a TECNO
Like
I said earlier, we already had this device even before it was launched.
Mr.Mo is currently playing with his as I type this article.
We
all at MobilityArena.com were amazed at the phone. The design and
finishing, music quality both on earphone and external speakers – all
superb. Trust me: this phone is miles apart from the TECNO phones you
used to know. We were greatly impressed by what we saw, and we think it
is worth its price.
Brand perception is one of the major things
TECNO now has to tackle. People are resistant to change, and as TECNO
wants to change their perception, many people are yet to come to terms
with doling out that kind of cash for a TECNO device. People are
complaining because it is a TECNO.
If it were a Sony, HTC, LG, or
even a Xiaomi, we would all be cool with it. But note that the devices
from those manufacturers in this class cost much more than the Phantom Z
does. There is the value.
There are two advice I have for TECNO:
They should do more of marketing and put more effort to change that perceptions Nigerians have of them.
They
should try as much as possible to provide a software update for their
phones, especially fr a flagship device like the Phantom 5. That will go
a long way in attracting the techies who are the most vocal users.
It would indeed be a sad plight to buy this phone and not get any software update.
If
TECNO can do more to market themselves as premium maker (while their
younger brother Infinix focuses on mid-low end devices), then assure us
of a software update even if its just a single one to Marshmallow, then
they have just completed the package.
Please before further
criticism, first have a feel of this phone, compare its price with the
price of its direct competitors, then come back and let’s talk.
Source
http://mobilityarena.com/tecno-mobile-phantom-5-and-the-dicey-game-of-perception/