14 DAY TRIAL // Chinese companies like Xiaomi and OnePlus have built their profits by focusing on a very particular business model.
For starters, they don’t sell their devices via flag-ship stores nor do they employ the help of third-party partners. This allows them to save big, which translates into them selling their handsets for more affordable price tags.
It seems that the success of this online model has determined brand vendors such as HTC to give it a shot, as well.
HTC says yes to online shopping
The company will apparently launch a 24-hour online store in Taiwan, where the device manufacturer will offer its handsets for sale, as stated in a report from Focus Taiwan.
So in a week, you can expect to be able to go online and visit HTCs website where a few handsets will be waiting for you to pick them up, provided you're located in Taiwan, of course.
Initially, the company will offer two mid-range handsets, the HTC Desire 816G and HTC Desire 826G for purchase. These devices take advantage of octa-core processors and dual-SIM slots.
More models will be added later
For those eyeing cheaper devices, HTC is said to add entry-level models to the store later this year, although a clear date is not provided.
HTC hopes that following in the footsteps of Xiaomi will bring in some extra cash, although the company has secure relationships established with carriers and retailers. So the device maker believes that only 10% of its sales in Taiwan will be attributed to the new online store.
But if the scheme turns out to go in the right direction, HTC might be encouraged to add more smartphone models to the rooster. Even more, the company could go beyond the confines of Taiwan and open online stores in other countries.
As Xiaomi itself recognizes, its online business model has been copied countless times, most notably by Sony which also opened an eStore in Taiwan last year, which proved to be quite successful.