India’s leading device manufacturer brings Gorilla Glass to value-segment devices
CORNING, N.Y. — Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced that it has collaborated with Micromax for its Vdeo smartphones, designed for the “value-segment” consumer. The recently launched devices are among the first across India’s mobile phone entry segment to incorporate Corning® Gorilla® Glass to help protect against damage.
“Value-segment smartphone customers typically spend a significant portion of their income buying a device,” said John Bayne, vice president and general manager, Corning Gorilla Glass. “Many of these first-time smartphone users simply cannot afford to repair or to replace a damaged device. That’s why it’s essential to protect these devices with a material such as tough, damage-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass.”
A recent consumer poll* conducted in India, which is the second largest smartphone market in the world, highlights the needs of India’s critical value-segment smartphone category predominantly serviced by devices ranging in price from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 ($75 to $150).
The study focuses on the participants’ expectations and performance of devices they currently own. Highlights of the study results include:
- Approximately 58% said that their smartphone is the most expensive thing that they carry with them daily, and their single biggest worry is damaging their device. Also, 68% of respondents said they worry about dropping and breaking their screen.
- Over 65% of value-segment smartphones are reported to have significant screen damage with more scratches per device than consumers in other segments.
- When they do replace their smartphones, the majority (52%) said that they plan to spend almost the same amount on a new device as their current one, but expect it to have better functions and capabilities
Bayne added, “For all mobile phone consumers, their device is critical. It is often the most valuable thing they carry on their person every day and something they use not just to communicate but, in many cases, as their primary access to information. We are thrilled that Micromax – one of India’s premier device manufacturers – has designed Gorilla Glass into its Vdeo smartphones to give value-segment users the protection that they not only need, but they deserve. This level of performance is not possible with other material options.”
“It is important for the entire ecosystem to come together to deliver a compelling and complete solution to consumer needs. With the Micromax Vdeo range we have broken the perception that a durable, high-quality display is limited to premium devices,” said Shubhajit Sen, chief marketing officer, Micromax. “We believe our continued collaboration with Corning will help propel adoption of smart phones with consumers in the value segment.”
The Vdeo range of smartphones are designed keeping in mind the basic needs that Indian consumers demand from their smartphones and are fully loaded with best-in-class features for an entry level Smartphone – including 4G VoLTE, Android Marshmallow, great battery performance, HD display and housed in a premium and stylish metal body.
Leveraging its strengths in glass science and fusion manufacturing, Corning leads the cover glass industry it created nearly 10 years ago. Corning Gorilla Glass has been used on nearly 5 billion devices worldwide, including more than 1,800 product models across 40 major brands.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning’s financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the effect of global political, economic and business conditions; conditions in the financial and credit markets; currency fluctuations; tax rates; product demand and industry capacity; competition; reliance on a concentrated customer base; manufacturing efficiencies; cost reductions; availability of critical components and materials; new product commercialization; pricing fluctuations and changes in the mix of sales between premium and non-premium products; new plant start-up or restructuring costs; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, or major health concerns; adequacy of insurance; equity company activities; acquisition and divestiture activities; the level of excess or obsolete inventory; the rate of technology change; the ability to enforce patents; product and components performance issues; retention of key personnel; stock price fluctuations; and adverse litigation or regulatory developments. These and other risk factors are detailed in Corning’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.
Ni2 Saxena (Sandeep Saxena)
