LG launches Optimus One smartphone

LG Electronics on Thursday announced the launch of LG Optimus One in the smartphone category.

Priced at Rs13,500, Optimus One is powered by Android version 2.2, and comes with a 3 MP camera, 2 GB memory, GPRS, EDGE, threaded messages and 40 pre-loaded applications.

Moon B Shin, managing director, LG Electronics India, said the company is looking to capture a 12-15 per cent market share in the smartphone segment and has set aside Rs350 crore for marketing expenditure in 2011.

"We will increase the production capacity from 8 million to 15 million by next year at the Pune plant. We also have an ambitious target of 80 per cent revenue growth in mobile business by 2011," Shin added.

Vishal Chopra, business group head, Mobile Communications, LGEIL, said the company is also looking to expand its retail presence by 25,000 retail showrooms and 500 LG exclusive LG mobile galleries. "Next year we plan to launch 55 new models, out of which 40 per cent will be smartphones," he added.

LG Electronics India is a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea, established in January 1997. It deals in consumer electronics, home appliances, IT hardware and mobile communications space.