Exclusive: “The Sensation XE would be released in India in Q4”, says Lennard Hoornik, President, HTC South Asia Pacific

HTC has been one of the most innovative smartphone brands till date. Competing in the market with high-end brands like Apple and Samsung, HTC has build its own niche in the smartphone industry.

While HTC has been releasing handsets such as the in India since long, it has tried a different strategy for the launch of its first budget smartphone, the Explorer in India. The Explorer launch was HTC’s first global launch in India.

The HTC Explorer has been released in India with a price tag of Rs. 12,650.

Know Your Mobile caught up with Lennard Hoornik, President, HTC South Asia Pacific at the HTC Explorer Global launch of the HTC Explorer handset to talk about HTC’s India vision, its strategy to strengthen its position in the smartphone market and more.

KYM: What is HTC's vision regarding India?

Lennard Hoornik: The Indian smartphone market is growing but there are still a lot of feature phone users. Therefore, we have launched the HTC Explorer with Indian apps, and Indian language support. We see this as an opportunity to change a lot of people's lives in India, by using smartphones.

KYM:  This is the first HTC global launch in India.

Lennard Hoornik: Yes, we have never done that before.

KYM: Will we see more in the coming future?

Lennard Hoornik: We are always excited about India but I can't promise what’s coming.

KYM:  Smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple are strengthening their consumer base in India. What is HTC's plan regarding the same?

Lennard Hoornik: We have a lot of products coming out in Q4. We have the Sensation XE with Beats audio. One of the key things about the handset is that you can listen to any music at any volume. There is no distortion.

We have a very robust structure of products. We have the HTC Explorer which is designed for the Indian consumer with India-centric apps and features.

KYM: HTC launched the Flyer in India. Are we looking towards any other tablet/smartphone launches in India.

Leonard Hoornik: Well, we like to listen to our customers and surprise them.

More about Lennard Hoornik:

KYM:  Which mobile are you using right now?

Lennard Hoornik: I am using the HTC Sensation.

KYM:  Which apps do you like best?

 Leonard Hoornik:  I use a travel application, a jogging application and a weather application. I would rate the weather application as the best application.

KYM:  How frequently do you change your phone?

Leonard Hoornik: I try to use every phone we have. I have switched from the HTC ChaCha to the Sensation and am thinking of changing to the Evo 3D.

Also read our interview with Faizal Siddiqui, Country Manager, HTC India