Representatives of smartphone manufacturing companies, including Honor, Vivo and Xiaomi, have applauded Vietnam’s decision to stop 2G from September 16, 2024, saying that it will bring great benefits to users.

Le Hong Phong from Honor Vietnam said phones using 2G technology are out of date and have slow connection speed, don’t support modern apps, and consume too much power. 4G is needed to ensure convenience and efficiency.

Vivo Vietnam has praised Vietnam’s decision to shift from 2G to 4G. The manufacturer said it would work with retail chains to support users to switch to 4G prior to September 16.

Smartphone manufacturers say they are going to market new products. Phong said Honor Vietnam plans to introduce products priced at VND2-4 million. Honor X6b model, to be launched this month, has outstanding features, high durability and very reasonable prices.

Amid worries about the supply of 4G devices, Phong said Honor Vietnam will offer a wide range of products at different prices.

Honor Vietnam has cooperated with The Gioi Di Dong, FPT Shop, Viettel Store and HoangHa Mobile to run trade-in programs with value of up to VND500,000 for each 2G device to be upgraded to 4G. 

There will be no limitation in quantity, and preferential 4G simcards will be offered to all products priced below VND5 million.

Patrick Chou of Xiaomi said the manufacturer will focus on popular and mid-end 4G smartphones to serve Vietnamese demand for devices once 2G ends.

According to Vivo, there are still 10 million 2G subscribers on the network and the use of 4G feature phones has increased rapidly, which could be an opportunity to grow the low-cost smartphone market segment (below VND5 million) which now accounts for 60 percent of market share.

With the upcoming 2G cessation, it is expected that 10-15 percent of 2G only subscribers, or 1-1.5 million phones, will change their devices. This would increase the market segment of products priced below VND5 million by twofold in value, thus creating a driving force for market growth late this year.

Trong Dat