The Peterson Group Review: PepsiCo Mobile Phone and Accessories

Last November, 2015, it came as a great surprise to many when the great conglomerate, PepsiCo has launched their very own mobile phones. Unlike other non-telecommunications companies which first introduced their own brand of mobile phones, many people wonder why this carbonated Soft Drink Company decided on this move especially since there is no direct relation to two different industries.  This issue has been discussed after reviewing the emergence of Caterpillar and Marshall mobile phones. The former being known for its machines and construction equipment focused on creating sturdy tool for rugged use while mobile phones of the latter, a popular manufacturer of headphones and audio devices features the “loudest smartphone on Earth”. The PepsiP1 by comparison seems to be homogenous.

PepsiCo Mobile and Accessories are already well underway in China where its main manufacturer, Shenzhen Scooby Communications Equipment is based. In an email sent by the food and beverage company to the Peterson Group, distributor of mobile phones and accessories in Taiwan, they have no plans to start into mobile manufacturing and will be making this new venture an exclusive in China alone. The spokeswoman did not further elaborate their future plans.

Complaints poured against this plan as many people are expecting this new device to be available in developed and developing countries as well. Expectation arose when reports of the mobile phone’s high quality was released.

The Phone P1s (and P1) is powered by a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek (MT6592) processor with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. It comes with 16GB inbuilt storage and supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64GB). The phones sports 13-megapixel rear camera while there is a 5-megapixel front camera also on board. It is backed by a 3000mAh battery.

Moreover, it is 4G LTE enabled which supports Bluetooth, 3G, GPRS/EDGE, MicroUSB and GPS. The phone also features fingerprint scanner just below the primary camera. It also comes in a cheaper price compared to other brands offering the same quality.  Only $399, PepsiP1 is already gaining a lot of attention.

Despite denial of expansion to other countries, however, black markets are already offering fraud copies of this device in discreet shops in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand only a few months after its launch.

PepsiCo is yet to respond to expansion and fraud claims and is continuously strengthening the foundation of the business.