Royal Philips Electronics has announced that Haier, a handset manufacturing company based in China, has selected the Philips Ultra Low Cost (ULC) Reference Phone, featuring the Philips Nexperia cellular system solution 5128, to create a low-cost handset for mass production in China. The handset, the HG-Z1000, will be available to a potential market of 1.5 billion customers.

The Philips ULC Reference Phone featuring the Philips Nexperia cellular system solution 5128 has been selected by Haier because its technology enabled Haier to bring the HG-Z1000 to market in just four months. Developed in the recently opened Philips Design Center in Shanghai, the Nexperia cellular system solution 5128 features system optimization and power management capabilities, which provides the Haier HG-Z1000 with 280 hours standby time and three hours talk time. Features of the HG-Z1000 phone will include predictive text input, SMS capability, and vibrating alert.

“Haier’s new handset is a pure example of simplicity, designed around the needs of the consumer,” said Adrian Chu, vice president, Regional Marketing & Key Accounts for Greater China, Mobile & Personal Business Unit, Philips Semiconductors. “The Philips Nexperia cellular system solution 5128 displays a maturity that is ideal for customers like Haier. Our experience in working with high-volume suppliers means we can ensure a short technology ramp-up which leads to a faster production time--four months in the case of Haier.”