HYDERABAD: Technology company Smartron, backed by cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, today launched its tphone smartphone at a price of Rs.22,999.
The phone was unveiled here in the presence of Tendulkar, who is Smartron's strategic shareholder and brand ambassador, and Telangana's Minister for Information Technology K T Rama Rao.
"Today, we are witnessing an Indian brand showcasing to the world that our smart technology products can compete with leading tech brands through path-breaking design and engineering.
"With this launch, we are encouraged to work and represent India as a country known for product engineering and design innovation," Tendulkar said.
"To me, being a Skill India Ambassador, I feel this is the right company... I am backing skilled Indians. The product is engineered and designed by Indians," he added.
Smartron India Pvt Ltd Founder and Chairman Mahesh Lingareddy said the company has plans to manufacture most of its products locally in association with Foxconn.
"With Smartron aiming to innovate in the sphere of Internet of Things, we definitely have a lot to look forward to. Fully designed and engineered in India, the company will, over the next 2-3 years, move all of its manufacturing within the country," Lingareddy told reporters.
Reacting to a query, he said, "10,000 devices (tphones) will be manufactured outside. We are working with Foxconn in bringing the lines up. The capabilities to manufacture this kind of high-end device requires sophisticated assembly and manufacturing. We are working with them and most of the devices will be manufactured here (locally)".
The tphone is priced at Rs.22,999 and registrations can be made on gadget360.Com and smartron.Com. The product will be available for sale from early June on Smartron tstore and gadget360.Com.
"We have an exciting set of products lined up for 2016...We will design and engineer some smart devices across home and industry segments," he added.
Responding to another query, Lingareddy said, "Towards the end of next month, we will be launching tphone in Middle East, some African countries, Russia and South East Asia".
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