Looks like TP Link is not done yet with its smartphone venture, having announced bold plans for the newly formed division back in 2016, the network specialist took a sabbatical the whole of last year with limited launches has now begun 2018 with the arrival of Neffos C7.
Having since announcing the N1 at IFA last year there hasn’t been much activity from TP Link beside the X1 debut the year before, the Malaysian outfit has been going through restructuring since the departure of its marketing head for the mobile division. Neffos, established in 2015 to cater for the growing entry and mid level segment who were looking for affordable smartphones without features compromised, Neffos look set to fill that gap. The networking strength of parent company meant that technology capability for the phones will be unparalleled. Unlike other Chinese brands that were founded on opportunistic basis, Neffos had a solid backstory and strong fundamentals.
Alas, plagued with internal issues and unpreparedness have lead to slower than market norm releases, coupled with lack of consistency and marketing prowess has set the brand backwards with hardly any retail availability for the phones. The rookie manufacturer would have learnt in the two years the tribulations of starting a mobile brand and taking on established players who will not in any means give up their market shares in this highly competitive field.
TP Link will need to buck up and up its ante if it seeks to capture any mind share at all, the Neffos C7 is a 5.5″ entry model priced at RM599. In terms of feature is has a 13 megapixel camera for the rear and 8 megapixel for the front. With 2 year warranty, service for selected technical fixes and replacement for damage beyond repair, the overall plan for a sub 600 phone now makes sense. The phone will arrive in February 5 along with a new model for the C5 line, C5A.
Hopefully we see this as a revival for the brand, the market does need a competitive phone priced rightly and Neffos did fit in that category. TP Link the market is counting on you to do more.
