Private university student Sahadujjaman Sajib, a fan of new phones, was at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) for the third time this month looking for a new model that he can avail with discounts and other offers.
He made several trips to the fair to look at new mobile phones, comparing features, discounts and offers to ensure that the device he buys will be worth his money. On his third day, he finally decided on Chinese smartphone maker Oppo's F5, a handset equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for capturing perfect selfies.
“I got the phone at the cost of Tk32,000 here in the fair, although it costs Tk35,000 in stores. On top of that, the gold and black colour is available in other shops, the red colour version which I bought is only available at DITF,” said Sajib.
Mobile handset companies participating at month-long DITF are offering discounts, cash-backs, gift boxes, even gift vouchers up to Tk1lakh in purchase of phones.
They are also offering phones on zero interest instalments with different banks to help customers avail phones based on their requirements. Many companies are also offering internet data packs from partner telecom companies with the purchase of some phones.
“Galaxy A8+ handset by Samsung is not available in Bangladesh now. I cannot find it anywhere, but the company is taking pre-booking of the phone at the fair. With no more delay, I am expecting to get this phone with the first slot of customers in Bangladesh who will receive it in February,” said a visitor named Sonia Akhter.
Although the original price of A8+ is Tk65,900, but the customers can avail it at a discounted price of Tk62,900 from the fair venue.
Ishrafil Alam, a Samsung official, told the Dhaka Tribune that they will distribute the phone from February.
“We are taking pre-booking and customers will receive many exclusive offers and discounts only from the fair venue,” he added. The phone comes with exclusive gift box that will have a jacket, wallet and gadget.
The company is offering discounts in other phones as well.
Local tech giant Walton is having a big sale in their fair venue, and according to company official Shah Shahid Chowdhury who is at the stall, sales are already double compared to that of last year's fair.
The company has introduced a new phone with the tag “Made in Bangladesh” at the fair, and two other phones will be available at the fair soon which are also made completely in Bangladesh, he said.
“We have brought only a chip from outside and the rest is made in Bangladesh. The 'made in Bangladesh' handset, that comes with a reasonable price of Tk3,500, have most smartphone features. The other two handset that will come up at the fair soon under this tag will cost Tk7000-Tk8000,” added Chowdhury.
The company is giving away cash vouchers worth a total of Tk20lakh every day that can be used at any Walton showroom. From the fair venue, customers will receive gift vouchers for every purchase of at least Tk10,000.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
