ZTE’s Nubia plans to release Z11 smartphone in China and US at same time after global Z9 sales surpass 5 million
Higher-end Chinese brand looking to break the mould as domestic rivals keep handsets in US market mostly under US$200
Nubia, a high-end smartphone brand spun off by Chinese telecommunication giant ZTE, is accelerating its global expansion plans by coinciding the launch dates of its new flagship Z11 in China and the United States, according to Nubia’s senior vice president Ni Fei.
A number of Chinese phone makers also including Xiaomi and Huawei are making high-end phones these days that are cheaper than flagship models from international brands like Apple and Samsung.
But most are either unavailable outside of China, or they are released much later on foreign shores than at home.
The Z11, which comes in the wake of the hugely successful Z9, plans to hit both markets simultaneously. It features a bezel-less screen and an enhanced camera capable of taking time-lapse photos at night.
Released in June, the Z9 has already sold over 5 million units globally, according to the company.
Nubia said that same month it would be releasing the Z9 in the US sometime during the third quarter, but so far the device remains unavailable in the US. The company said complicated compatibility testing caused the delay.