HTC-Branded Tablet to Be Launched Next Year, Won't Be Low-Cost

Taiwanese manufacturer, HTC, after introducing the Google Nexus 9 tablet, is now reportedly planning to launch another tablet under its own brand next year.

According to a Focus Taiwan report, HTC's CFO, Chang Chia-lin, at an earnings conference call last week revealed company's plan about HTC brand tablet for next year.

Chang also added that company is not shutting doors for other co-branding opportunities and it will keep that avenue open for potential partners, as this helps increase HTC's long-term growth potential and brand equity.

While Chang didn't share more details back then, HTC's North Asia President, Jack Tong, speaking at a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday, said that company will not produce ultra-low-cost tablets.

Referring to tablets priced under $164 (approximately Rs. 10,000), Tong said that "It's not a profitable market... There is actually a bit more room for growth and product differentiation in the high-end and mid-tier tablet segments." This points to the fact that HTC's next tablet will not be a low-cost offering.

Tong also suggested that HTC sales in Taiwan have risen in Q4, and the company is expecting to remain top seller.

HTC, after an unexpected TWD 640 million profit in Q3, last Friday said that it expects revenue in the fourth quarter to grow up to 12 percent on-quarter. The company estimated that revenue in the fourth quarter will be in the range of TWD 43 billion-TWD 47 billion ($1.43 billion-$1.57 billion) (roughly Rs. 8,700 crores - Rs. 9,600 crores).