Lava may launch mid-segment camera phone today

Domestic handset-maker Lava International may launch two new mid-segment handsets on Wednesday that will focus on camera features.

Lava may launch two new mid-segment handsets that will focus on camera features. (Lava)

Indian handset-maker Lava International is expected to launch two new smartphones on Wednesday that will focus on camera as a selling proposition.

Lava's move comes in at a critical stage for Indian handset-makers as they struggle to wiggle out from the slowing effects post demonetisation and continious challenges from Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi, Lenovo, Oppo and Gionee who continue to dominate the smartphone market here.

As per the invite shared with HT, that reads "every picture is a work of art", Lava will try to woo customers with either a better camera or enhanced camera features at a price point which is considerably lesser than the Chinese rivals.

An industry expert said that Lava's move might be an emulation of Oppo, Xiaomi and Lenovo as these brands seemed to have gained from similar strategies or marketing. On Tueday, Chinese handset-maker Gionee launched a new smartphone, the A1, that focusses on batteries and selfies.

In February, the company had launched what it called the first 4G feature phone in the country -- Lava 4G Connect M1 at a price of ₹3,333.

According to a statement sent by the company, the Lava 4G Connect M1 comes with pre-loaded applications such as Facebook-Lite including some other messaging applications which can take advantage of the data connection once enabled on the handset.

It also said that users should be able to "watch videos and enjoy live content streaming through high speed 4G mobile internet, connect with friends and loved ones through pre-loaded Facebook Lite and social messaging apps, carry out digital payments with ease, listen to music online through music streaming applications and experience better voice clarity and make calls faster with this VoLTE enabled feature phone."