VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese are now tending to choose high-end smartphone models instead of cheaper Chinese phones Huawei, Vivo and Xiaomi.

Dat Viet reporters on October 31 conducted a mini survey on the sale of Chinese smartphone models.

At Tran Anh shop, they asked for a model priced at VND2-3 million, and a salesman advised them to choose Samsung products. 

“Samsung’s products have good screens and strong configuration, and they are well designed for women,” he said.

When the reporters asked about Chinese models, the salesman said it would be better not to buy Chinese products because of the decline in quality.

“Huawei’s products were the best among Chinese products, but the brand has fallen down to the third position,” he said.

“If you have VND2-3 million, you’d better buy Samsung’s products. Samsung is much better than any Chinese brand, while the price is just a little bit higher,” he said.

“Instead of Huawei Y5II which is priced at VND2.189 million and Oppo Neo5 VND2.69 million, you should choose Samsung Galaxy Win I8552 which is sold at VND2.9 million only, or Samsung Galaxy J500, about VND3.5 million,” he said.

Vietnamese are now tending to choose high-end smartphone models instead of cheaper Chinese phones Huawei, Vivo and Xiaomi.

“Oppo’s and Huawei’s products are usable, but they can't compare with Samsung’s or Apple’s,” he said.

At Tran Anh’s shop, there was only one Chinese model – Huawei Y5II, displayed on the floor, together with models bearing Samsung and Apple brands.

There were several Chinese models at The Gioi Di Dong shop on Doi Can street, including Huawei’s and Oppo’s. 

Huawei Y6II had the quoted price of VND2.99 million, Huawei Y5II VND2.19 million, while Oppo Neo5 VND2.69 million and Oppo Neo7 VND3.29 million. There were no Vivo and Xiamoi products displayed.

A salesman explained that Chinese products sell slowly as Vietnamese now use products with reasonable prices from prestigious manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung and Apple.

Even middle-aged consumers, who are believed to be less choosy, also refuse Chinese products. Nguyen Duy T, 42, from Lao Cai province, said he now uses Samsung Note 5.

“I once had a Huawei, but the touch screen was very bad, and the battery ran out fast, so I threw it away,” he said.

“Samsung is much better, and the price is just a bit more expensive,” he said.

Despite the trouble with Note 7 which has forced Samsung to recall products, Samsung’s products are still favored in Vietnam. 

A report released by Q&Me Vietnam, a market analysis firm, in October 2016, showed that Samsung still holds the largest market share with 31 percent, followed by Apple with 23 percent.

The report showed that Samsung’s products are the choice of 40 percent of women, and Apple’s 23 percent.