Speaking to the Financial Times, He Shiyou, executive vice-president and head of the handset business of ZTE said the company would return to producing Windows Phone handsets, after initially being put off by Microsoft’s deal to purchase Nokia’s handset division.
Microsoft executives visited ZTE this month to reassure the company that the US group wanted to maintain a wide network of handset makers rather than simply make its own Windows phones.
“Initially we were hesitant [but] after clarification from Microsoft about industry support we are willing to commit to Windows platform again.”
He Shiyou told FT the company wanted to make the jump out of the “second tier” of smartphone makers into the top three manufacturers, currently being placed either 4th or 5th in the rankings, with about 5% of the market, and would consider acquisitions or mergers to grow market share.
“The next three years will be critical for ZTE’s devices business. There is a window of opportunity to push ZTE into the top three in terms of market share,” he said.
The company was rumoured to be working on a Windows Phone (above) with full HD resolution and DST technology in late 2012. Who knows, we might see the handset come to market after all.
Via FT