Sony thinks its low-end Xperia E1 can be successful in Samsung's and LG's homeland

It’s hard for outsiders to be successful in the South Korean smartphone market, because Samsung, LG, or Pantech are usually the brand choices of local customers. Well, ok, Apple is very successful there, but Apple is an exception. Anyway, Sony recently released its Xperia E1 in South Korea, hoping to attract users who don’t want to spend too much on a smartphone.

The Xperia E1 costs 165,000 won (about $163) in Korea. According to The Korea Times, this is the first “mobile” to have a price under 200,000 won. We’re assuming that by "mobile" the publication means "smartphone".

Currently running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (upgradeable to 4.4 KitKat), the Sony Xperia E1 is a low-end device that offers features like a 4-inch WVGA display, dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 3MP rear camera. The handset also has a 100 dB loudspeaker, and a dedicated Walkman key. We weren’t particularly impressed by the Xperia E1 when we reviewed it, but maybe South Korean users in search of cheap handsets will like it anyway.

Earlier this year, Sony also released the high-end Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z2 in South Korea, and it’s said that both were well received. 


sources: Sony Korea, Korea Times