Sharp preparing to enter Chinese handset market ahead of Beijing Olympics

Watch out, China’s upper-class is growing. And, with that growth comes a demand for respect from handset manufacturers. Sharp, looking to cash in with the affluent Chinese population, is making plans to enter the Chinese handset market ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

“There is a growing number of consumers in China who want to buy high-tech handsets, such as those equipped with cameras almost as good as digital cameras, even if they are expensive,” Sharp spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama said on Friday.

The move, which could see sales starting in June, would make Sharp the only Japanese handset manufacturer in the Chinese market. Kyocera (NYSE: KYO) will be withdrawing from China due to overwhelming competition from the likes of Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Samsung.

Sharp’s strength in LCD displays (think AQUOS) could give the cellphone manufacturer a hands-up in the Chinese market – especially with an increased demand for high-quality displays. With a focus on high-resolution, crisp displays, Sharp could do well in China. Time will tell…

[Via: Reuters]