Mid-range smartphones to be focus of HTC says CEO Chou

HTC CEO Peter Chou was in Taiwan to help launch the HTC Hero with Chunghwa Telecom. The device is being given out free to those who sign a two year contract for the equivalent of $53 U.S. Dollars monthly. While in Taiwan, Chou spoke with DigiTimes and revealed that the manufacturer's focus will be on mid-range smartphones for the balance of this year. Shipments of such handsets, with a retail price in the range of $300 U.S. Dollars, will comprise 50% to 60% of devices delivered in the second half of 2009. Chou also let it be known that the HTC Magic, on the market since April, has passed the 1 million mark in sales since its launch.

The HTC Hero is an Android powered device that is the first to be offered by the company with the Sense UI. It is also the first Android handset that has a browser equipped with flash. As we reported recently, a CDMA model of the Hero could be making its way Stateside to Sprint on October 11th.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has been busy. Another one of HTC's most desirable models, the Windows Mobile powered Touch Pro2 has been launched in the U.S. today by T-Mobile. The phone costs $349.99 with a 2 year contract.

HTC Hero Specifications (CDMA) | Review (GSM)
HTC Touch Pro2 Specifications | Review (European version)

source: DIGITIMES via BGR