Meizu don’t have quite the global following they deserve but Russian phone fans can’t get enough of them and are willing to pay a premium for the latest Meizu handset!
Tomorrow is the first day of Meizu MX3 sales here in China, and instead of having to sit in front of a computer monitor to try and bag your phone before thousands of other customers, Meizu fans have the option to buy the phone in 500 physical stores across China!
Russian Meizu fans are also in luck too as the MX3 will go on sale there too, at a a price!
Gizchina News of the week
In China the MX3 represents quite a bargain. At 2499 Yuan ($408) the 16GB version packs a Samsung Exynos Octa core processor, 2GB RAM, 5.1-inch FHD display and 8 mega-pixel rear camera with f2.0 aperture. In Russian though the same model will cost 17,990 Rubles ($556)!
The 32GB and 64GB version of the phone hold a similar premium! Meizu have tried to sweeten the deal by offing a free pair of Meizu EP-21 earphones for early buyers. Even with these high prices, the MX3 is still likely to be as popular in Russia as the MX2 before it.
The reasons for the high prices:
– Customs duties
– Taxes
– The costs of service and maintenance
Meizu China did not provide any financial support for the development of the brand in Russia. By the way, the margin on Meizu minimal compared to other smart phones, imported from China to Russia.
Good to know thanks
Andi, do you know what the situation is with the 128GB version of the MX3 in terms of price and availability? I contacted Ibuygou and they said to “watch this space”, whereas Fulcrumall said “there is no 128GB” – which I interpreted as meaning that it’s been cancelled.
I considering importing the 128GB to the UK.
As far as I know it is still coming but will launch at a later date.
I thought the 128GB version was only for TD-SCDMA?
Hey Andi! Is the Meizu MX3 better than the Xiaomi Mi3?..I know you are a fervent Xiaomi fan 🙂
Both are great phones. Just personal preference
As from 1 September 2013 Russia has abolished the 5% import customs duty which was imposed on mobile phones, modems and tablets. This measure has been introduced in connection with Russia recently joining the WTO. WTO membership requires Russia to abolish or decrease its import customs duties for hundreds of products.
18% VAT can’t really justified 160$ price difference… Of course if MEIZU is officially in Russia.
Well, that is often the case with official/non-official store of phone manufactures.
If you want to by Galaxy S4 in Samsung’s branded stores – you pay 29990 Rub ($930), but if you go small shops found via Yandex then you pay about 18000-20000 Rub (<$600).
The point is that this official store will not drive sales in Russia, not retail ones at least. If MEIZU supplies a large quantity into large retail chains, the prices will drop a lot. That is what ZTE, Lenovo and a few others are doing. Lenovo K900 can be found at 17000 Rub ($5#0) which I guess is not bad.