Pantech, a long-time troubled South Korean mobile phone manufacturer, unveiled its first smartphone in nearly two years on Wednesday in a bid to restore its reputation as the country's No. 3 mobile phone maker.
The mid-tier Sky IM-100 model features a cube-shaped charger-cum-wireless speaker, called STONE, and a wheel key to adjust the volume.
It is 7.8 mm thick, weighs 130 gram and comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 430 processor. The Android-based phone comes with 2 GB RAM and a 3000 mAh battery.
The "Sky" brand is highlighted with the new smartphone, which is reminiscent of Pantech's heyday several years go.
The name IM-100 also suggests the English phrase "I'm back," since the number 100 in Korean is pronounced quite similar to the English word "back."
Pantech officials made it clear that they are targeting budget phone users, trying to avoid competition with Samsung and Apple.
"The Sky IM-100 is a product focusing on comfort instead of magnificence," Pantech President Moon Ji-uk told reporters. "This Sky model represents Pantech's desperate heart, rather than a revival."
Pantech came under court receivership in August 2014 amid growing debts. It released the "Vega Pop-up Note" smartphone three months later but failed to stand on its own feet. It was acquired by a local consortium last year.
The IM-100 is scheduled to go on sale next Thursday. The factory price is set at 449,900 won ($432). (Yonhap)
The mid-tier Sky IM-100 model features a cube-shaped charger-cum-wireless speaker, called STONE, and a wheel key to adjust the volume.
It is 7.8 mm thick, weighs 130 gram and comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 430 processor. The Android-based phone comes with 2 GB RAM and a 3000 mAh battery.
The "Sky" brand is highlighted with the new smartphone, which is reminiscent of Pantech's heyday several years go.
The name IM-100 also suggests the English phrase "I'm back," since the number 100 in Korean is pronounced quite similar to the English word "back."
Pantech officials made it clear that they are targeting budget phone users, trying to avoid competition with Samsung and Apple.
"The Sky IM-100 is a product focusing on comfort instead of magnificence," Pantech President Moon Ji-uk told reporters. "This Sky model represents Pantech's desperate heart, rather than a revival."
Pantech came under court receivership in August 2014 amid growing debts. It released the "Vega Pop-up Note" smartphone three months later but failed to stand on its own feet. It was acquired by a local consortium last year.
The IM-100 is scheduled to go on sale next Thursday. The factory price is set at 449,900 won ($432). (Yonhap)
![[INTERVIEW] Korean adoptee in Germany reunites with birth family after 42 years](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fadf7c30b6094a0da6c8adecdcf925ab.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Expert pitches Laotian rural reform to solve NK's chronic food shortages](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3dbbf87782cb48fcabe9d9facc018fca.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Forbes-listed entrepreneur pursues partnerships with Samsung, LG, SK to help Ukraine](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/48669e0a9d604c618e245f79eb0b930d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Welcome to world of art therapy'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/K2023032200218_d6cf4825b6c3d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
