Vodacom is expanding its range of branded devices to include high-tier handsets and a virtual reality (VR) headset.
The operator introduced its own branded devices a decade ago, and has since sold 85 million smartphones and tablets.
Last year, it sold 2.5 million Vodacom-branded devices, accounting for 25.7% of total device sales. Traditionally, these devices were entry- and mid-level handsets.
Vodacom now offers the Android Vodacom Smart Platinum 7 and Vodacom Smart Ultra 7, which it hopes will compete in the premium smartphone market.
The Platinum 7 has a 5.5-inch display with a 16MP main camera, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, fingerprint sensor and 3 000mAh battery, which Vodacom claims will last up to two days. The device will cost R7 999 on prepaid and R399 per month on contract. The contract includes a Vodacom-branded VR headset.
"Virtual reality and the Internet of things are the next two frontiers in mobile and Vodacom wants to keep up," says Davide Tacchino, terminals managing executive. The headset is flexible and will work with other devices, he notes.
The Ultra 7 has a 5.5-inch display, 16GB internal memory, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera and 2 960mAh battery. It will cost R3 199 on prepaid.
At the launch event this morning, Vodacom managing executive Zunaid Mahomed emphasised the company is still committed to providing affordable, high-quality smartphone devices.
Vodacom parent group Vodafone launched its own devices in 2006 to reduce the cost to its customers of owning the latest mobile technology.
In addition to the premium smartphones, Vodacom today also unveiled a range of mid- to lower-entry-level smartphones.
These include the Smart Prime 7 (R1 799), the Smart Mini 7 (R699), the Smart Kicka 2 (R499) and the Vodacom Smart Tab 2 3G (R999).
Vodafone partnered with ZTE, Alcatel and other companies to create the products.
The devices will be available this month.
All Vodacom-branded devices come with a three-year warranty and are only available at Vodacom stores.
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