Every year we hope things are going to change, but time and time again the Chinese tech companies slip into the same paths as before. Let’s hope 2018 will be a little different.
On the whole, the Chinese tech industry is doing really really well. We’re seeing Chinese smartphone brands dominate sales across the world, and some of the best hardware on the market today comes from the likes of Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus or ZTE, but even with all this success, the majority of Chinese tech brands do need to improve things.
I’m not saying that all of these items on my list of things the Chinese Phone Industry Needs To Stop Doing relates to every phone maker, but at least one point on here will be true to most Chinese phone makers out there today.
Stop Using Chinglish
Chinglish is how the Chinese describe English sentences that have been written using Chinese grammar or spelling. Chances are you have seen odd descriptions for phones or products while browsing Chinese websites, perhaps even just spelling mistakes, but there really is no excuse.
Way back at the start of GizChina, most Chinese brands had no interest in markets outside of China so it was ok for them to spend no time on their non-native marketing, but these days, when some of these brands are selling outside of China only, there really is no reason not to have well-written copy on sites and in marketing materials.
Stop Copying Each Other
There are patterns that the Chinese phone market follows. Some of these patterns are obvious and simply have to happen, while others are just plain annoying.
We completely understand why after one brand launches a quad-camera phone, another might follow suit, but what we can’t stand is when every smartphone maker under the sun launches its version of the latest iPhone only powered by Android… This year we’ve seen handfuls of “Mix’ phones launch after the Mi Mix 2 release, there are also plenty of ‘S8’ models, and we’re already starting to see ‘S9’ phones too. Apparently ‘X’ is the next big trend in phone design, so watch out for a bunch of iPhone X clones launching over the next few months.
Start Thinking About User Experience
For years now Chinese brands have gotten the specs of their phones right (well except for Zopo). We know that all these brands have access to decent quality hardware and can build well-made phones, but we’re still waiting on good customer experience.
While OnePlus might not be the best brand in some respects they do have a very stable operating system and those who use their phones are generally very impressed and happy. Can more smartphone brands catch up?
Stop Being So Slow With Updates
This isn’t only down to Chinese phone vendors but the chipsets and PCB’s these brands have to use. While you might all believe that each phone maker designs its own PCB the reality is simply not the case. To get 6GB RAM phone on the market for less than $250, most brands are actually very small teams of marketers who outsource design and PCB development to other companies. If these other tech brands don’t offer updates then our phones get stuck on old Android systems.
We’re seeing much better update speed these days than I did way back at the start of GizChina, but there is still a long way to go to really get on top of things.
Stop “leaking” News Way Before Products Are Ready To Launch
Gizchina News of the week
Brand X is going to launch a 10GB RAM smartphone with Snapdragon 900 and dual screens! That’s the news we receive then report early at the start of the year, but then the phone doesn’t actually surface until the very end of the year.. This not only annoying for you guys but for us too.
Stop Using Benchmarks As Proof Of A Good Product
Again, this is something that we don’t see as often as we did in the past, but some phone makers still do try to impress potential customers with Antutu and other benchmarks.. When really was the last time that you bought a phone purely on benchmarks? When was the last time you even benchmarked your phone?
Stop Being Just A Smartphone Brand
We’re seeing more and more phone makers disappear, but it’s the phone brands that diversify into other markets that remain strong. Xiaomi makes everything from sofas to washing machines, Huawei makes tables and convertibles, and OnePlus even has a strong accessory market. UMi, Elephone, Ulefone and others should take note.
Start To Improve Customer Service And Report
A few years back we saw a few brands really try and improve their customer service, but we feel that recently they’ve been allowed to get away with substandard service and it’s not getting any better. We pour $millions into the Chinese phone industry every year, we deserve good customer service and aftersales care.
Stop Taking 2 Steps Back For Every Step Forward
This one is really just for OnePlus. Every time they make a good phone they receive rave reviews, their phones outperform everything else for the money and user experience is second to none. What could go wrong? Well, what about limiting how RAM is used in your phones or that time you were found collecting user data without their knowledge… Come on you can do better than that.
Stop Selling Phones Without An Included Case
Vivo and Oppo do sell their phones with silicone cases included (although they are the cheapest available), but with more phone brands releasing devices with glossy glass finishes, we really do need a way of protecting our handsets out of the box.
When even Chinese phones are reaching prices of as much as $800, we really should be getting a protective case thrown in the box too.
So those are my thoughts for the phone industry in 2018, what ideas do you have?
-Stop copying each other, and apple most of all apple*
-start to differentiate products (new 6″ 18:9, dual cam, rear Id, 6gb, snap/mediateck! cit. All brands)
Nice article, i agree with every point. I would be happy if they just stopped with their terrible marketing.
Stop the false advertisement, renders, lying about specifications or hardware, is really anoying when they said something and after ypu purchase you figure it out is not as they advertize (for you Vernee)
If you have been in China for so long you should know that customer service is nonexistent for most shops. They are only interested in selling their stuff. Good luck with it. I guess habits die hard. Same goes with copying. It’s part of the culture.
-Stop copying each other, and most of all apple*
-start to differentiate products (new 6″ 18:9, dual cam, rear Id, 6gb, snap/mediateck! cit. All brands)
Gotta disagree on the inclusion of a free case. Not everyone bothers with a case – there’s little point in the manufacturer making a phone that feels great to then suggest the user puts it in a $0.10 case.
As for other things they should stop doing – stop releasing 10+ phones a year in the hope that one will succeed. The way these guys can differentiate is to release fewer, better phones and keep the updates and support coming for at least 12 months.
Stop the bloatwares! Also also stop making them as system apps that we can’t uninstall !!! At least give the option for the user to uninstall them & use other apps of his/her choice.
Nice article, i agree with every point. I would be happy if they just stopped with their terrible marketing.
stop useing fake dual cam and fake battery. (for you Umidigi )
Stop the false advertisement, renders, lying about specifications or hardware, is really anoying when they said something and after ypu purchase you figure it out is not as they advertize (for you Vernee)
If you have been in China for so long you should know that customer service is nonexistent for most shops. They are only interested in selling their stuff. Good luck with it. I guess habits die hard. Same goes with copying. It’s part of the culture.
Gotta disagree on the inclusion of a free case. Not everyone bothers with a case – there’s little point in the manufacturer making a phone that feels great to then suggest the user puts it in a $0.10 case.
As for other things they should stop doing – stop releasing 10+ phones a year in the hope that one will succeed. The way these guys can differentiate is to release fewer, better phones and keep the updates and support coming for at least 12 months.
Simple list for me. Stop with the Fake dual cameras. In fact…all of the Chinese brands need to seriously put some work into their camera technology. You can’t just put the best lenses in the products without any optimization. Huawei seems to be the only one who understands this. I’m tired of companies advertising shots of their camera only for it to be released and this its missing Phase Detection Auto Focus, OIS, EIS…etc. Its getting old at this point. Especially with the focusing issues that Chinese phones seem to have.
Stop with the IOS rip offs. ColorOS and FunTouchOS are the biggest offenders. Vivo/Oppo are two of the biggest brands in the world, they have shown through OnePlus that they can release a great skin on android. Stop with the blatant ripoff.
Trendspotting. This year was the year of the Tri-Bezelless phones. Last year was the year of the Samsung Clones. Lets end that trend. I know everyone is going to jump on the 18:9 bandwagon…but please guy. Lets innovate something. Stand apart. Based on the last couple months I don’t think that’s going to happen. Everyone is already copying Face ID.
Finding the release date balance. I’m tired of seeing Elephone S9 advertisements. Release the damn phone already. I’m also tired of the “here’s a picture of the phone, now sign up for preorders” business. Some phones are being released with little to no build up and others are being built up for way too long.
Most importantly, We need to do something about the review sites that give these terrible phones a voice. Some phones are so bad that they shouldn’t exist. Stop giving Bluboo and other guys like them a platform to peddle their crap. I’m tired of hearing about “Best Phone Under $150” for every single crap phone that comes out. They will continue to put out terrible quality products as long as you guys give them a platform to do so.
Stop the bloatwares! Also also stop making them as system apps that we can’t uninstall !!! At least give the option for the user to uninstall them & use other apps of his/her choice.
Stop the bloatwares! Also also stop making them as system apps that we can’t uninstall !!! At least give the option for the user to uninstall them & use other apps of his/her choice.
My quick 5:
1. ZERO TOLERANCE on bloatware/malware.
2. Go Vanilla (Android One or Go) or develop some worthy fork (MIUI) and cut the sh*t.
3. Trend copying… is just way too much, guys. You can get some inspiration out there, not rip off the trendy phone of the moment.
4. If you won’t give a nice customer service, just don’t enter the market.
5. Innovate, talk to your customers and communities, get some good feedback and, if you can’t do it alone, look for some collaboration. I’d love to see some companies taking a new approach to modular phones, they could break the market or, at the very least, win a nice niche.
stop useing fake dual cam and fake battery. (for you Umidigi )
Simple list for me. Stop with the Fake dual cameras. In fact…all of the Chinese brands need to seriously put some work into their camera technology. You can’t just put the best lenses in the products without any optimization. Huawei seems to be the only one who understands this. I’m tired of companies advertising shots of their camera only for it to be released and this its missing Phase Detection Auto Focus, OIS, EIS…etc. Its getting old at this point. Especially with the focusing issues that Chinese phones seem to have.
Stop with the IOS rip offs. ColorOS and FunTouchOS are the biggest offenders. Vivo/Oppo are two of the biggest brands in the world, they have shown through OnePlus that they can release a great skin on android. Stop with the blatant ripoff.
Trendspotting. This year was the year of the Tri-Bezelless phones. Last year was the year of the Samsung Clones. Lets end that trend. I know everyone is going to jump on the 18:9 bandwagon…but please guy. Lets innovate something. Stand apart. Based on the last couple months I don’t think that’s going to happen. Everyone is already copying Face ID.
Finding the release date balance. I’m tired of seeing Elephone S9 advertisements. Release the damn phone already. I’m also tired of the “here’s a picture of the phone, now sign up for preorders” business. Some phones are being released with little to no build up and others are being built up for way too long.
Most importantly, We need to do something about the review sites that give these terrible phones a voice. Some phones are so bad that they shouldn’t exist. Stop giving Bluboo and other guys like them a platform to peddle their crap. I’m tired of hearing about “Best Phone Under $150” for every single crap phone that comes out. They will continue to put out terrible quality products as long as you guys give them a platform to do so.
My quick 5:
1. ZERO TOLERANCE on bloatware/malware.
2. Go Vanilla (Android One or Go) or develop some worthy fork (MIUI) and cut the sh*t.
3. Trend copying… is just way too much, guys. You can get some inspiration out there, not rip off the trendy phone of the moment.
4. If you won’t give a nice customer service, just don’t enter the market.
5. Innovate, talk to your customers and communities, get some good feedback and, if you can’t do it alone, look for some collaboration. I’d love to see some companies taking a new approach to modular phones, they could break the market or, at the very least, win a nice niche.
You really forgot the most important one, STOP MAKING THOSE RIDICULOUS FAKE DUAL CAMERAS!
You really forgot the most important one, STOP MAKING THOSE RIDICULOUS FAKE DUAL CAMERAS!
i agree most of the points…except “stop just being a smartphone brand”….
well, they will build what thier company wants, & what they are good at..
we cant say to them to make something..
maybe if gizchina invested in them with billions of dollars funding..they can =P
or do u want them to become like “LeEco”..trying to build Smartcars..& dig their own grave..
china makes mobile & technology cheap..let them continue so.
i agree most of the points…except “stop just being a smartphone brand”….
well, they will build what thier company wants, & what they are good at..
we cant say to them to make something..
maybe if gizchina invested in them with billions of dollars funding..they can =P
or do u want them to become like “LeEco”..trying to build Smartcars..& dig their own grave..
china makes mobile & technology cheap..let them continue so.
Fully support your views Andi.
Fully support your views Andi. Personally I hated the iOS copying of chinese phones, yet they are in a position to have all the materials to make a great phone.
Yes, their price is low, margin is small but their market is huge. (Consumer awareness is another story for another time).
Get all the good stuff into the phone, it doesn’t has to be the fastest or biggest screen.
How MeiTu (not MeiZU)can sell for so much and yet being so sort after? That’s marketing done right. (decent specs too).