Taiwanese smartphone maker Asus has reportedly slashed the price of Zenfone 5 16GB model in India.
Asus had launched Zenfone 5 along with budget Zenfone 4 and phablet Zenfone 6 in late July in 2014. All Zenfone series devices really gave a stiff competition to the popular Xiaomi and Motorola smartphones.
On Wednesday, 14 January, Asus slashed ₹3,000 on 16GB Zenfone 5 model bringing the cost of the device from ₹12,999 to ₹9,999 on Flipkart and 8GB Zenfone 5 model has also been reduced to ₹9,499 from ₹9,999. With just ₹500 difference, people are more likely to go for a higher storage model.
"Post [our entry into] the Indian market in July, 2014; we have received prolific response for our four different variants under ZenFone Series. ZenFones have reached audience in more than 300 cities with the extensive reach of Flipkart. The phones have been successful in terms of the feedback received from masses and even in terms of the sales that we have observed. In view of this response, we have introduced this special price to go a step ahead to serve our existing and prospective customers," said Peter Chang, Regional Head - South Asia & Country Manager - System Business Group - Asus India.
With this move, Asus is trying to revive the fading Zenfone series popularity in the market. It has strategically kept the price to ₹9,999, so that 5.0-inch HD display Zenfone will act as alternate option for recently released YU Yureka and the popular Redmi Note 4G.
Both the Micromax and Xiaomi devices are available in limited quantities in the market and get sold out within a few seconds in online stores.
If this move becomes successful, company can expect a good reception for the soon to be released Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Zoom series in India.
[Read more: Asus Launches ZenFone 2, Zoom Camera-Centric Smartphone; Availability, Specification Details]
In a related development, Sony too has reportedly slashed prices up to ₹6,500 on all Xperia Z series devices in India.
[Read more: Sony to Slash Xperia Smartphone Prices By 14%; Flagships Get As Much As Rs 6,500 Off]
