Microsoft Lumia 535 helps Windows Phone sales soar 300% in Pakistan; platform tops iOS in the country

According to figures recently released by comScore, Windows Phone lost 21% of its market share in the U.S. between January and April. But there
is one country where Lumia sales are red hot. In this same country, Windows Phone is actually the second most popular mobile operating system and is ahead of iOS. According to Patrick Mercanton, head of marketing for Near-East, North Africa, Levant and Emerging Asia for Microsoft Mobile Devices, Lumia sales in Pakistan tripled from the fourth quarter of 2014 to the first quarter of 2015.

The marketing chief says Microsoft owns more than 50% of the featurephone market in the country, which will help Lumia sales when it comes time for these consumers to move up to a smartphone. Part of the reason for Lumia's surge in Pakistan is the success of the entry-level Microsoft Lumia 535. The model is one of the leading smartphones in Pakistan listed in the $100-$150 price range. It also happens to be the most popular Lumia model of all time in the region.


Microsoft's next focus in Pakistan will be in the B2B market where Lumia handsets can be used in conjunction with Microsoft's many business oriented products. The company will also offer the Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM, which comes with Windows Phone 8.1 and will be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile. The lowest priced Lumia model should help keep the Windows Phone platform remain quite relevant in Pakistan.

source: TheNews.com.pk via WMPoweruser