LG has finally agreed to deliver the truth of the matter Nexus 4, the smartphone produced by Korean giant Google and ignites Internet since its launch in November. And for good reason. It is found. (See test)
Back to the facts. The smartphone sold on the online store GooglePlay.com November 13 faces a huge demand. Out of stock immediately after a few hours in several countries. And since buyers break their teeth with invariable "exhausted" before the two models (8GB and 16GB). Since December, SFR offers the famous mobile subscription. Extras, it displays a prohibitive tariff: 629.90 euros against 349 euros on Google Play.
Rumors are also rife on the Internet: production voluntarily limited by LG and Google to create a buzz and volunteer shortage, production stoppage by the Korean giant for a new model of smartphone sales loss by Google ...
For Challenges.fr, Cathy Robin, Director of Mobile Communication LG France is the point.
What happens there with the Nexus 4, a highly competitive but unavailable?
- The Nexus 4 proposes an excellent technical specifications / price. Supply problems are not necessarily completely related to LG. Google has presented forecasts calculated according to their previous sales history of Nexus. But they have been less demand. Current deliveries of LG Google correspond to what had been pre-ordered on Google Play. We continue to deliver regularly. But it is lean. This is why the Nexus 4 is always shown as exhausted and the potential buyers feel they can not buy it.
For example, the initial forecasts of Google were 10 times higher in the United Kingdom and Germany. We deliver so much more in these countries than France. There was a balance that has been poorly anticipated. But be careful, I do not throw stones at anyone. Google and LG, it's going very well. Today, if we want to increase the frequency of deliveries, it takes about 6 weeks time.
The figure of 375,000 advanced smartphones products is it true?
I do not know this number, but in any case it is much lower than the reality.
The Nexus 4 is it sold at a loss, as has been said?
We have no interest in selling at a loss. By cons there was an agreement between Google and LG to sell it at a very attractive price. And it's true that 299 euros for the 8GB and 349 euros for the 16 GB is a super attractive price.
Yet the SFR offers naked ... 629.90 euros
I do not have to answer for them, but I guess the purpose of SFR is to sell products with subscriptions.
Production Nexus 4 will she stop?
LG has denied reports [rumors indicated that the Korean group plans to stop production]. The Nexus 4 will not stop. On the contrary, the rate will increase. From mid-February, there will be more pressure on the market.
The Nexus 4 it can overshadow the G Optimus, the new flagship of the brand?
It will not shade the Optimus G which combines the best technology from LG [Qualcomm Snapdragon processor S4 Pro quad-core 1.5 GHz, 4.7-inch 1280x768 screen, 4G LTE, camera 13 MP ...] .. There is certainly a common trunk with the Nexus 4 but the ultimate focus. It will be in stores in March. It has particular function QSLIDE that simultaneously displays two different screens at the same time, function QuickMemo used to write notes and share them immediately. I can call my number while having the note displayed. It also has the live zoom that offers the ability to zoom during video playback ... In any case, we want to make the Nexus 4 and G major success.
In terms of sales, what are your goals for the Optimus G?
The Optimus G was launched two months ago in Korea, Japan and the United States. We shipped 1 million. The goal is to sell a lot and come tickle the market leaders.
LG has launched a lot of products (4X HD, Vu, the Nexus 4, G) with the feeling that the group totally lacking in clarity. What is your strategy?
We went through a difficult period with ups and downs. It was therefore necessary to rebuild the foundation and fundamentals to claim back the top of the market. Must persuade consumers that we come back with quality products. We found the reliability, design and a very good position. It was regain market share in the mid-range for legitimacy. We will now highlight our brand with the L series of the mid-range 3G, 4G Series F and dual carrier with affordable rates. And there will be the G series for iconic products. Emphasis will be placed on top of the market not to mention the mid-range that is worn in France by the arrival of Free. They just reference the L9 is a good sign for us.
And the segment of very large screens?
We launched the view which allowed us to test the appetite for 4:3. It sold very well in Asia where Vu 2 is programmed. But it is a niche market. We will not persist in this format here in Europe. We do not want to disperse.
LG will he propose smartphones operating on Windows Phone 8?
We can all imagine but this is clearly not a priority. We are very pragmatic.
How is LG on the French market?
According to GFK, we had 6% market share in smartphones in late December. If we take only those who operate on Android, we are number 3 [behind Samsung and Sony].
How do you see 2013?
It will be complicated. Operators to adapt to the offensive Free. There will be a reduction in subsidies. And then there's the arrival of 4G where we want to be a major player. In terms of objectives, should we double our market share, at least. This is ambitious. And if Sony is rather a nice trend, too.
