PC seller Acer India steps into smartphones arena, to sell exclusively on Flipkart

Among the largest PC vendors in the country, Acer India, has stepped into the growing smartphone market with the launch of its smartphone models under the Acer Liquid Z Series - the Liquid Z630s and the Liquid Z530 with IPS screen and and curved design.

Both smartphones will  be manufactured at Acer's new facility in Pondicherry.

Acer will market the two models through a strategic tie-up with Flipkart.com.

Announcing the launch of the smartphones in India, ST Liew, president, smart products business group, Acer Inc, said,''Keeping in par with the Indian government's Make-in-India initiative, we are excited to announce that these smartphones will be manufactured locally in India."

The plant will be operational by December 2015 and will have production capacity of over 1 lakh phones per month. As the demand for the smartphones increase, the investment and production capacity of the plant will also be scaled up appropriately, Liew said.

Sandeep Karwa, director retail, Flipkart.com, said, ''Smartphones are one of the fastest growing segments for Flipkart.com with customers becoming more feature and value conscious. Acer is globally known for its performance and smart computing systems, they are now entering the Indian smartphone market and we are happy to partner with them in this journey.''

''Having witnessed success in the PC space where we are currently No 4 in India, our entry into the smartphones category is a strategic move that reinforces our commitment to lead technology and innovation across the four screens.  The number of consumers adopting smarter, wireless technology in the country is on the rise and we anticipate a huge increase in smartphone users," said Harish Kohli, managing director, Acer India.

Liquid Z630s: Powered by the 64-bit, octa-core 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6735 processor the 5.5-inch Liquid Z630s (measuring 156.3 x 77.5 8.9 mm) Android 5.1 handset is ideal for those looking to create, share and enjoy digital content on the move, enabled by 3GB RAM and a standard 32GB of internal memory. It packs a 4000 mAh battery ensuring lasting performance from every charge. A HD Zero Air Gap screen with IPS technology extends to house the 8MP wide view angle front lens (capable of 1080p video recording) as well as the 8MP auto-focus rear camera (capable of 1080p video). Connectivity comes through its Cat4 LTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0 with LE connectivity.

The updated Acer Liquid UI is designed to be more consumer friendly than ever before. Key apps have been designed as ''Float Apps'' taking up only a portion of the screen so users can see and interact with the desktop below. This feature is available for maps, browser, notes, calendar and more, along with ''Float Caller'' which lets an incoming call pop up as a mini window for the user to choose whether to answer or reply with quick messages without interrupting the current session completely.

The Liquid Z630s is also equipped with AcerEXTEND which connects wirelessly to a compatible laptop or PC and lets you view the phone's home screen in a phone-shaped emulator box on the computer. Enabling functions like webpage and document sharing, full screening, drag and drop organization, messaging, typing and simplifies managing files and switching from personal to professional mode using the same device.

The Acer Liquid Z630s will be available in India priced at Rs. 10,999 on Flipkart.com and will be available for flash purchase only on 12th November, 2015 for those who pre-register between 5th November, 2015 and 11th November, 2015.

Liquid Z530: Powered by the 64-bit, quad-core 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6735 processor, the 5-inch Liquid Z530 (measuring 144 x 70.3 x 8.9 mm) Android 5.1 phone is an intelligent device for those serious about their selfies. Focusing on sharp display and quality images and supported by 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, the Vivid Color display; 84 degree wide-angle front facing 8MP selfie lens; Cat4 LTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity; Acer QuickTouch controls and ergonomic design all contribute to this social media optimized phone.

The Android 5.1 handset features a HD IPS screen with Zero Air Gap to ensure bright rendering of color. Photo enhancements presented by Gourmet Mode for food photographers automatically adjusts color temperature and style for pictures of dishes; Touch to capture for focusing and capturing photos with just one touch; Smile Shutter to capture smiles as they happen and much more. Also featuring the Acer Liquid UI, the handset is designed for anyone looking to explore the real benefits of carrying a camera with them wherever they go.

The Liquid Z530 expresses the sense of ease and convenience by its slim and slight design. Covering by various curved elements with the slender body design, Liquid Z530 is comfortable in-hand fit. With hairline-brush rear, the Liquid Z530 is not only attractive, but durable. The curved metallic middle frame is sleek, modern, and visually compelling for making Liquid Z530 looks thinner and lighter. 

Innovations such as Acer BluelightShield, which controls users' exposure of blue light from the screen and DTS Studio Sound gives high-quality audio performance for music and movies. Phone fans will appreciate exposure control which allows adjustment of exposure and focus independently to get clear and bright shots, and Bright Magic photo that ensures selfies are always presented in the best lighting conditions.

Other user features through the range include the Acer QuickMode user interface which provides three customized layout options designed for specific groups of users - 'standard mode' for those familiar with a smartphones; 'easy mode" for those who are just learning; and 'basic mode' that offers a range of protective options for kids.

On top of Basic Mode, these handsets all offer Kids Center, a protected environment with parental control. Helping people get the most out of all these features is the Acer Aid Kit, a set of three tools that monitors the phone's performance, manage battery life, and run the backup and restore center.

The Acer Liquid Z530 will be available in India priced at Rs. 6,999 on Flipkart.com