
The biggest phone seller in Africa is a little-known Chinese company
Transsion doesn’t sell phones at home in China, but it dominates the market in Africa. Founded in 2006, the Shenzhen-based manufacturer makes both smartphones and feature handsets at highly affordable prices. It’s targeted solely at emerging markets.
Plenty of Chinese phone makers are setting their sights abroad. But while big brands like Huawei and Xiaomi dominate global sales, in some parts of the world you’re more likely to find people using handsets made by Transsion.
Chances are Transsion won’t ring a bell. Even in China, where the company is based, few have heard of them.

DARKER SKIN AND GREASY FINGERS
Transsion phones are cheap -- some can cost as little as US$15. But the company believes there’s more to its success than just price.
Without the need to cater to developed markets, Transsion says it can instead focus on adapting phones to local tastes.

A line of handsets exclusive to India, for example, allow people to unlock their phones with greasy fingerprints; important in a country where many dishes are eaten with hands. In Africa, Transsion phones come with dual-SIM slots -- a popular feature embraced by consumers taking advantage for different mobile networks. Transsion also says its phone cameras are specially calibrated for darker skin.
INTENSIFYING BATTLE
Transsion may be leading today, but competitors are catching up.
In India, Oppo’s Realme rose quickly last quarter to become the fourth best-selling smartphone brand -- pushing Transsion outside the top five.
Still, Transsion is continuously diving into new emerging markets. In 2017, it launched in Bangladesh, Nepal, Russia and Indonesia.
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