Newpan has begun importing smartphones made by

Germany’s AEG.

Newpan Ltd. has begun importing smartphones made by Germany’s AEG and will shortly begin importing its tablets. AEG is targeting the crowded segment of smartphones for less than NIS 1,000. The cheapest model offered by Newpan will be SQ4, at NIS 600. It will offer the SQ45 at NIS 800 and the AQ1 at NIS 900.

Newpan will initially import AEG Android Jelly Bean smartphones, which will be available at its outlets and at Sonol Israel Ltd.’s So Good convenience stores. They will have a one-year warranty from Newpan’s Karat Laboratories Ltd.

AEG does not develop or manufacture its smartphone in Germany, but through OEMs, with AEG overseeing the engineering and production processes.

In Israel, AEG will compete against the Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, which sells for NIS 700; the LG L3-2, which sells for NIS 600, and the LG G510, which sells for NIS 700.

AEG’s strong point will be the availability of its smartphone at convenience stores, where people may make impulsive purchases. In addition, in contrast to Chinese smartphone manufacturers, AEG is a known brand worldwide.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 27, 2014