Exclusive: Exploring the HTC Explorer with Faisal Siddiqui, Country Manager, HTC India

HTC is a company that has steadily strengthening its base in the Indian smartphone industry. After the launch of the HTC Sensation, Desire and ChaCha handsets, HTC held its first global launch – the HTC Explorer in Delhi.

The HTC Explorer is HTC’s first budget smartphone. It spells good news for the Indian consumer who looks forward to affordability and features in a handset.  The HTC Explorer is priced at Rs. 12,650 and comes loaded with Indian apps such as Saavan and NDTV Cricket.

Know Your Mobile caught up with Faisal Siddiqui, Country Manager HTC India to talk about Explorer - HTC’s most affordable handset till date and the company's vision regarding the Indian smartphone industry.

KYM: HTC has organized a Facebook contest for the HTC Explorer. This is an entirely new strategy for any smartphone launch. What is the motive behind the contest and what does HTC stand to gain from it?

Faisal: The motive behind the Facebook contest is that we want to get people excited about this phone. There are 35 million plus Facebook users in India. It is the biggest social network. If you look at all our phones, we have simplified the social networking experience. We have made it very simple for people to experience the Social networking aspect of a smartphone. Social networking is one of the key mediums we use to target our consumer base. 

KYM: What is HTC's vision for the future regarding the smartphone and tablet market?

Faisal: HTC wants to be the leading smartphone company in the Indian market. That is our vision. We already have the where-with-alls. We build the best smartphones. We create the best smartphone experiences for Indian consumers. We are one of the best smartphone companies and we aspire to lead the smartphone market.

KYM: HTC, till date concentrated mostly on the high-end smartphone segment of the smartphone market. After the Explorer, do we see HTC delving into the mid-range or even the low-end segment of the phone market?

Faisal: People are at the centre of whatever we do. So, we build smartphones taking into consideration how the consumer would use a smartphone and how it would make their day-to-day life easy.

Our User Interface - HTC Sense is designed in the way that people of any age can easily use our phones. Even a first-time user would find it easy to use an HTC smartphone.  

HTC Explorer is the first smartphone that we are launching. It is designed in a way that even a non-smartphone user can easily use this smartphone. It has a one-touch experience through which people can access every feature of the phone with a single touch.

We have customized the phone to provide a simple smartphone experience. Our philosophy is to build phones that people of different socio-economic levels desire.

KYM: Unlike other HTC handsets, the HTC Explorer seems a mid-range handset.

Faisal: The MRP on the handset is Rs.12,650 while the best buy price is Rs.11,650. It is the first HTC phone targeted for the masses.

KYM: Talking about phones, which phone are you using right now?

Faisal: Well, I am using the HTC Explorer itself. I love using the phone as it is very simple and easy to use.

KYM: Which feature do you like the best?

Faisal: I actually like all of the features. Using HTC Sense, i can combine my social networks, my calendars, my events, my personal and work itinerary, my personal and work email.

I can access Bollywood content through Saavan and Hungama. I love cricket, so the NDTV Cricket application works good for me.

KYM: How frequently do you change your phone?

Faisal: Well, i am in the business of selling phones so i try to get my hands one very HTC handset. I am currently experiencing the HTC Explorer.

Also read our interview with Lennard Hoornik, President, HTC South Asia Pacific.