Mid-range phones may suffer during Christmas

Mid-range handsets may suffer in the run-up to Christmas, according to Steven Hartley, senior analyst at Ovum.

Hartley has predicted that a handful of phones in the high-end will survive the pressure, contradicting LG’s strategy to move away from top-tier phones.

This includes the BlackBerry Storm (pictured) and the Apple iPhone, which carry considerable brand appeal from consumers. The likes of LG are believed to lack the brand value and iconic status of the most popular high-end handsets.

This view echoes comments made by O2 CEO Ronan Dunne, who said the market was polarising between Sim-only deal seekers and high-end gadget fans.

Hartley said: ‘People will forgo handsets and a chunk of the mid-range could come out of the market.’