ZTE Hawkeye – how to create a smartphone without taking a risk

ZTE Hawkeye has its tab on GSMchoice.com already, despite a lot of doubts concerning this project. These doubts concern both the technical nature of the project and its impact on the manufacturers of mobile devices: a rather large manufacturer would like to finance one of its devices for buyer’s money while it is still in the project phase. That is why – besides this information – there will be some journalism.

ZTE Hawkeye has a preliminary technical specification, which covers, for example, Snapdragon 625, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of flash, a 5.5-inch FHD display, dual main camera: 13 and 12MP, the front one with 8MP and a dual-SIM support. On prototype’s renders – which perceptive users will notice – there is no second camera. Following the retinal movement is an interesting feature, it can be used for example for browsing contents on websites. The optional, additional housing seems to be a good idea, thanks to this it will be possible to attach the smartphone to flat surfaces, like mirrors.

The technical specification is definitely achievable as far as the crowd funding project is concerned. It is too early to talk about details of the smartphone’s specifications or its final look – that is why please consider the tab in the GSMchoice.com catalogue as a mere curiosity, and not a solid confirmation.

Financing a commercial, corporate product thanks to its potential buyers may raise ethical concerns. When we are buying a smartphone in a store we can have some certainty towards its specification and looks. When it comes to founded devices we have no certainty - as to whether the device in general will go on sale as well. However, if someone would like to support a corporation regardless of the outcome of the project – we should not prohibit this. ZTE is not a small company without a financial background: if users will finance the product there is an almost 100% certainty that the smartphone will be available for sale.

Each manufacturer declares during the launch that the newest smartphones were constructed only to meet user’s expectations. But not all of them – like ZTE – collect money to create a smartphone that meets user’s expectations via Kickstarter.

If you will support this project you will open the way for other manufacturers that will willingly get rid of the financial risk associated with the production of a smartphone with uncertain prospects for a sale – in favour of a safe certainty that they will not have to spend a fortune for production, promotion, marketing and dealing with distribution networks and mobile networks operators. However, I would not count that the price of devices will drop thanks to this. Those who do not believe this please refer to manufacturers’ justification before the big boom in sales of digital multimedia. Back then they too were saying that thanks to savings on the cost of media and packaging they will be able to reduce the price of the final product.

Of course the choice Dear Users belongs to You. In my opinion this is one of these moments in the history of this business when the choice actually does matter. More about the ZTE Project Crowd Source X can be learned here.