Indian consumers vote for Chinese smartphones

Views compiled from an online straw poll conducted by China Daily

'Oppo brand value is going up'

For over two years, a retail outlet displayed an Oppo logo, but I never felt it was a big brand. Now, its brand value is going up. Chinese phones' batteries run longer after charging. I expect Chinese brands to offer better quality and high standards while maintaining the current lower pricing. Instead of flooding the market, they should be more focused on products and after-sales service.

-Ajay Anand, writer

'Perception about Chinese brands is changing'

Chinese brands were seen as of inferior quality in the past. But now the perception is changing.

- Arpit Agarwal, principal of investment firm

'My family use Chinese smartphones'

My wife, son and I use Chinese smartphones. Good prices, good products. Haven't had any bad experience that would make me question my decision to buy them. They exceeded my expectations for the cost. Am more inclined now to buy Chinese brands than Indian or other foreign products.

- Ivan Crasto, sports content strategist

'Always a glitch in functionality'

I bought One Plus X via social media because of price and specifications. Chinese make use-and-throw-away products. There is always a glitch in functionality. Japanese and German brands deliver better value. Actually I didn't know One Plus was Chinese but then what isn't? They make it appear like a luxury product. Chinese brands with cheap products are coming to India as it is known to choose price versus quality. Unless quality improves, the number of Chinese brands will reduce in India eventually.

- S. Dave, digital strategist

'Best specs for the price'

I bought OnePlus 3T smartphone after noticing it in ads and product reviews. For its price, it has the best specs. Other foreign brands cost double but didn't match the specs. I'm impressed. The consensus view is that Chinese smartphones are good but customer service and after-sales service are a bit troublesome. Yet, they will grow as they are very competitive pricewise in a price-sensitive market. They will capture the low-end markets easily and also the middle-level markets.

- Rajul Hegde, entertainment reporter

'Need user manuals in local languages'

I own a Xiaomi Redmi. Chinese brands must offer user manuals in English and regional Indian languages.

-K. K. Suresh, lensman

'Good finish, premium look'

I own two smartphones, both Chinese makes: Huawei's Honor Holly and Xiaomi Mi5. I think Chinese smartphones have a good finish and a premium look, which other brands don't deliver for the same price. Haven't faced any serious issues. They need to have better after-sales service though. Apart from phones, everything else from China is viewed as cheap, counterfeits or unreliable. Phones are doing well because of quality.

S. Saket, business communications professional

'Quality counts, not just low price'

I use a Lenovo K3 Note, which came with many features at a reasonable price. It's high time Chinese products deliver utility rather than just being very cheap. Indian brands are giving a tough fight to the Chinese brands, so the latter should launch new products at the right time.

- Puja Lall, customer relationship manager

'Association with cricket could backfire'

There are plenty of Indians who hate cricket because of its excessive commercialization and excessive frequency of matches. Cricket sponsorship could backfire.

- A. Shaikh, media analyst

'Cricket investment a waste of money'

Oppo's cricket team sponsorship this is waste of money ($162 million). For, Xiaomi is performing well without cricket-related marketing that vivo and Oppo swear by.

- Manoj Sutaria, business-owner

'Beware of social media influencers'

With heavy influencers in social media, just a few them will be enough to push the Chinese brands off the shelves if they don't improve quality in the long run. I don't foresee Chinese makers shifting manufacturing from China to India as cost of labor and other parameters might not be immensely favorable.

- Sandhya Raju, communications consultant

'Crisp ads give vital info'

I bought a Xiaomi smartphone as their ads are crisp and give vital information. It's better than others. Most brands foreign or Indian have components made globally. Can we really say any brand belongs fully to a particular country? The India market is huge with many untapped areas, hence foreign brands are coming here. I think Chinese brands should not flood market with cheap products.

- Sunirjoy, journalist

'Innovative feature accepted by middle class'

Chinese smartphones have innovative features, and are accepted well by the middle class. They are competitive, especially with price.

- Caroline Luck, investment risk analyst

'Need service network like Maruti's'

I bought an IP68 Android smartphone A8+ through online ads. This is a rough-and-tough waterproof phone, a sturdy product, unlike other very visible Chinese brands that tend to be cheap and short-lived. Given their scale in India, they should also have ubiquitous service centers like the huge network of auto major Maruti.

- Himanshu Bhayani, founder of an online content startup

'Target premium segment'

I own a Redmi Note of Xiaomi. Like Xiaomi, more Chinese companies should set up manufacturing facilities in India. Chinese brands should target the premium smartphone segment to neutralize the tag of being cheap. Cricket sponsorships suggest Chinese brands intend to pose serious competition to major global players.

- Katya Naidu, content contributor