According to DigiTimes sources, sales of flagship models from the likes of HTC, Huawei, and LG were disappointing during 2013 and will likely affect their market shares in 2014. Some of these results may have been caused by the release and success of Google’s Nexus 5 – made by LG.
The HTC One was an academic success and won numerous awards at international events. It was well reviewed, even at AndroidHeadlines, and was a work of art with its all-aluminum body, dual stereo speakers, and specifications. However, with its shaky global launch, and release of other flagships, sales were relatively flat since its March launch. This greatly affected HTC’s overall performance during 2013 and contributed to their heavy losses, including their third quarter.
Huawei has only shipped a little over 3 million of its latest flagship, the Ascend P6 – well behind its projected sales of 10 million. The company’s lack of brand recognition and pitiful marketing efforts are blamed for the Ascend P6’s poor showing. Huawei makes some quality products, but their name among the smartphone community has not grown as rapidly as the company had hoped that it would.
LG had originally project sales of 10 million for its LG G2 flagship device, but global sales have only reached slightly over 2 million units. LG is a widely recognized name in the smartphone industry, and the G2 was highly anticipated and received great reviews, but sources say that it was released too close to the Nexus 5 – also made by LG and based off the G2 – and that the Nexus 5 cannibalized sales of the G2. This loss of momentum affected sales of the G2.
The LG produced Google Nexus 5 was released right after the LG G2, and had very similar specs, but the two things that really hurt it were the fact that the Nexus 5 was released with Android 4.4 KitKat and was significantly cheaper. Coupled with the savage-like loyalty that possesses the Nexus community, all eyes and tech websites were focused on the rumors and specs of the Nexus 5, and off of LG’s recent G2 model. So while LG’s bottom line may not be hurting as badly because it manufactured the Nexus 5 – its brand recognition and momentum are not there going into 2014.
Let us know on our Google+ Page if you believe that the poor LG G2 sales were caused by the Nexus 5 – did you purchase a Nexus 5 over an LG G2, or did you purchase the Nexus 5 because you wanted the pure Android experience.