Hisense unveils Android TV, targets 10% market share

China’s multinational white goods and electronics manufacturer Hisense on Sunday launched Android-powered Vision TV and a series of next-generation smart TVs for the UAE market.

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By Abdul Basit – Chief Reporter

Published: Mon 15 Sep 2014, 11:18 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:47 PM

Mohamed Abu Issa (right), owner of Grand Stores and Dr Wang Zhihao unveiling the Android-powered Hisense Vision TV at a Press conference in Dubai on Sunday. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar

Celebrating the future of innovative technology in audio-visual infotainment in association with Grand Stores, Hisense also displayed its concept TV models such as the Glass-Free 3D TV, Curved Ultra HD TV, Transparent TV and a series of top-notch smart televisions at a news conference in Dubai.

Products are already available at retail stores across the UAE and the price range is Dh3,699 to Dh16,999 depending on size, format and quality of TVs, according to Grand Stores. The minimum size is 55 inches and it goes up to 85 inches.

“We entered in the Middle East market two years ago and our market share is 4.8 per cent. We hope to get at least 10 per cent market share in TV segment in the region in the next two years,” Dr Wang Zhihao, senior vice-president of Hisense Group, told Khaleej Times at the launch.

Hisense is very strong in its domestic market and No.1 TV brand for the last 10 years. Hisense produces a range of products in addition to TVs. Dr Zhihao said TV revenues and income contribute around one-third of the total.

The company has three TV manufacturing plants in Mainland China to meet domestic demand and four in other countries. The Middle East will get products from plants in China.

He mentioned that Hisense TVs prices are 30 per cent lower than market leaders. Talking about the new products he said: “Earlier this year, we launched it first in the US and then Europe. Now we are here, but by the end of next year we will be launching our products at the same time in all international markets.”

With Google Play Store, Chrome Web browser, full HD 1920p x1080p 3D LED screen, voice search facility, digital high definition tuner, built-in dual band Wi-Fi, digital media player and many more ultra-modern features, the new Android-powered Vision TV opens the door to endless possibilities of infotainment and is expected to totally redefine the smart television experience of tomorrow.

One of the first Android televisions to be certified by Google, the Hisense Vision TV provides a much smoother experience where users can find thousands of apps, lots of games, movies, TV shows and music directly from the TV and enjoy the sophistication of what a smart TV should be. The edge-lit Hisense Vision TV range comes in 40-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch models.

“Here in the UAE, the demand for smart televisions has significantly grown over the recent years. Driven primarily by innovative technology and sliding prices, we foresee a healthy growth pattern in the UAE smart TV market with our superior quality TVs that are offered at competitive price points,” Dr Zhihao explained.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Omar Ghanayem, technology division director of Grand Stores, said: “Hisense is inarguably one of the world’s leading brands in televisions with a strong growth plan in this region. The UAE is a major regional market for smart TVs and its sales are expected to grow steadily in the light of increasing young demographics, expanding job market, rising income, cosmopolitan appeal and transformation of the UAE as a preferred shopping destination amongst the travellers.”

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

Abdul Basit – Chief Reporter

Published: Mon 15 Sep 2014, 11:18 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 10:47 PM

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