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Hot favourite: The rage for CECT-K860 (left) ZTCT58 models |
These phones, which vie for showroom space with costly mobiles, whose companies spend heavily on sales promotion, are selling like hot cakes, but face "reliability problems".
Named SIGMATEL-T33, PANASONIO, iPHONE-N380, YXTEL-E51, ZTCT58 and CECT-K698, they have now become a rage among the mobile phone user community.
Good demand
"The phones started entering Chennai early this year, and the demand for them has been phenomenal. We sell at least 25-30 phones a month and their features are a major attraction for buyers," Sheikh Abullah, a retailer in the busy Ritchie Street said.
"These phones are available at a lesser rate than branded phones. Youth prefer to buy them to showcase their status symbol," said M Benjamin, president of Tamil Nadu Electronic Technician's Association.
Priced between Rs 2,500 to Rs 6,500, they have a large screen size and high output sound quality. For instance, by spending Rs 6,500, one can get a dual SIM phone enabled with large screen display, radio, GPRS and Blue Tooth connectivity, which would have cost more if it were a branded phone, he said.
On the reliability of these phones, he said one would not be able to buy the necessary parts for even a minor problem as spares are not readily available. "Approximately one lakh phones are shipped here thrice a week," said Association Vice-President K Hasan.
No guarantee
Hasan also concurred with Benjamin's views on these phones, saying none of them carry a guarantee.
"I bought this phone because all my friends have it. I like the sound quality and the large screen display," said Sandeep, a college student.
"These days, phones have also become a status symbol and I am not interested in investing a huge amount for a branded phone," he said. On the safety of these phones, a retailer said "it remains a question mark".
