Acer to launch four smartphones in 2H09, say sources

Acer plans to launch four smartphones, the A1, C1/E1, F1 and L1, at the end of September and in the fourth quarter of this year, outsourcing the production to Taiwan-based Compal Communications and Inventec Appliances, according to sources at Taiwan handset component suppliers.

The A1 is an Android-powered model, while the other three are based on Windows Mobile platform, the sources noted.

Compal will manufacture the L1 on an ODM basis, while rolling out the F1 and A1 on an OEM basis, said the sources, who also indicated that Inventec will turn out the C1/E1 smartphone on an ODM basis.

Another OEM/ODM handset maker Arima Communications may join Compal and Inventec to compete for Acer's smartphone orders in 2010 as the company has also stepped into the development of smartphones based on Android and Qualcomm platforms, the sources revealed.

Acer: Revenues, 1Q08 - 1Q09 (NT$m)

Quarter
Sales
Q/Q
Y/Y
YTD
Y/Y

1Q-09
95,755
(13.3%)
10.2%
95,755
10.2%

4Q-08
110,489
(10.3%)
10.9%
418,939
31.3%

3Q-08
123,116
25.1%
40%
308,450
40.5%

2Q-08
98,446
13.3%
46.5%
185,334
40.8%

1Q-08
86,888
(12.8%)
34.8%
86,888
34.8%