Reinventing the Millennium

Morningstar Semiconductor wanted to go public. Although there was only a preview of the news, Fang Zhuo had already said hello to Goldman Sachs in just one afternoon.

Of course, he mainly mentioned Tiyonko and incidentally mentioned the matter of Morning Star.

Morningstar's senior management will come to Shanghai and there will be further contacts at that time. In addition to the listing, their chip design, which has frequently failed to tape out, also needs to be discussed.

Fang Zhuo calculated the time and hoped that its launch could be completed within half a year, which would hopefully complete his own bloodletting.

Time has entered March, and the first thing to bear the brunt is the iPhone’s new product launch conference.

Because of the time difference, Fang Zhuo saw Apple's product information on the morning of March 2.

In fact, he doesn’t have much expectations for the iPhone. According to the current information, this generation is obviously to complement 3G and match the more popular functions of competitors, and there will not be much changes.

Mars in June has almost the same idea, which is to further enhance competitiveness.

For example, the current rear camera of Mars is 2 million pixels, while the N95 is 5 million pixels. This is the imaging experience that can continue to be improved after initial success.

Although Nokia, Samsung, LG and other manufacturers have expressed a more positive attitude, because of the so-called resistive full-touch screen design that Fang Zhuo obtained from Sony Ericsson, he also revised his estimate in time. I am afraid that there will be competition in the market this year. The model is indispensable for the slide-type mobile phone with full touch screen + keyboard.

This year there will definitely be designs similar to Mars and iPhone, there will definitely be classic models that stick with us, and there will also be a lot of compromise products that take both into account.

Regardless of Mars or iPhone, the current design and functions can still be improved after shortcomings are corrected.

On the day of the 1st, Fang Zhuo was mostly thinking about operator channels, the Android system ecosystem, and plans for the first domestic battle, especially domestic pricing.

According to his idea, no matter how Yike mobile phones are priced, the domestic cooperative operator China Unicom should maintain the same price or even use a lower price to match specific packages. However, the initial feedback from China Unicom is that... they will sell it at a higher price.

Yike offers two domestic pricing plans, 3499/3999 yuan.

What is the level of this in the domestic mobile phone market?

Among domestic mobile phones in 2007, the price of mid-range mobile phones from Amoi and Lenovo, which had some market response, was around 2,200 yuan, while the prices of Nokia's N95 and Sony Ericsson's K850i were around 5,000 yuan.

But there are differences between Sony Ericsson and Nokia. Nokia's price of 5,000 yuan can be stable, but the price of Sony Ericsson mobile phones often dives quickly, and will drop to a few hundred yuan, and finally stabilizes at around 4,400 yuan.

Both of Yike's plans are aimed at stabilizing the mid-to-high-end positioning.

But what China Unicom means is – sell it at a higher price!

They want to increase the price by 1,000!

If you sell Yike for 3499, it will be 4499; if you sell it for 3999, it will be 4999!

According to China Unicom - your Yike mobile phone has proven that it can make calls abroad. You don't need to sell it to the market with a low price + package. If you increase the price first and then return the increased price to the package, you can still sell it!

That seems to make sense...can it be sold?

Not sure, but China Unicom is very confident.

In this way, the added money is returned to users as phone charges, which will definitely make more money.

but……

Fang Zhuo just had a feeling, are you feeling guilty?

This matter requires effective communication and dissuasion. Foreign facts also prove that the money earned from mobile phone packages is enough to earn back the retail price and more. There is no need to ruin the reputation in this regard.

What Fang Zhuo wants to do is long-term business. I don't know if China Unicom wants to engage in short-term business because of the arrival of 3G. Anyway, he has ordered the lower departments to have a tougher attitude.

If the negotiation fails, then he will come forward himself and persuade China Unicom's senior management to benefit consumers (serious face).

In the evening, Fang Zhuo received a call from Yu Hong.

He was a little surprised: "So early? Are you nervous about the iPhone launch today?"

It’s around four o’clock in the afternoon here in Shanghai, and it’s around four o’clock in the morning in New York.

"I'm not too nervous about the iPhone. There is the latest news. Nokia's Symbian S60 version 5 system will be launched this month." Yu Hong said seriously, "Now it is confirmed that LG may launch The first V5 mobile phone, Nokia’s mobile phone originally scheduled for the third quarter, will also be released ahead of schedule.”

"Oh, LG." Fang Zhuo thought for a while and asked, "Is this the same month for Nokia's mobile phone?"

"Maybe next month, rumor has it, I'm not sure." Yu Hong replied.

"That's quite interesting. Is LG the first mobile phone equipped with S60V5? Is it being used as an experimental product or something?" Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Apple's iPhone was released on the 1st, and LG's competing products will be available within this month. , there may be a Nokia touch screen next month, and I feel that the iPhone may be more nervous.”

Yu Hong was awakened by the news and immediately called her boss. She was stunned when she heard the news: "Yes, this is putting pressure on the new iPhone. We still have time to observe changes in the market."

"Sleep a little longer?" Fang Zhuo asked.

"I haven't slept since I woke up. Just in time, how are the negotiations with domestic operators going?" Yu Hong was not sleepy. There are many competitive trends this month, which are worthy of attention.

When Fang Zhuo saw this, he also talked about the communication between the company and China Unicom.

In addition to the fact that the operator wants to sell at a higher price, another very important negotiation actually went smoothly. China Unicom is willing to determine a purchase price of 0.8-0.84% ​​off based on the final sales volume.

In other words, if you buy Yike 3499, it will be 2800; if you buy Yike 3999, it will be 3200.

Although Yike's two pricing plans seem to have relatively sufficient profit margins, China Unicom is showing its arrogance. It doesn't matter how you decide, I will start with a 20% discount.

Yu Hong couldn't help laughing when she heard this, and commented: "It seems that whether it is a price increase or a purchase, China Unicom has more confidence in Mars than you, the chairman."

Fang Zhuo sighed: "Who says it's not the case? Therefore, since this matter is relatively in place, I can only talk about the price increase strategy with a blushing face. After all, if I have to say it, China Unicom will sell the mobile phones no matter how they are purchased." It’s its business.”

Just as he was about to continue talking, the landline phone in the office suddenly rang.

"That's it for now. We'll talk about the latest news at home and abroad later." Fang Zhuo ended the call with Yu Hong early.

He put down his cell phone and looked at the incoming call from the landline, which was relatively unfamiliar.

When he answered the call, he was a little surprised by the call from the head of Datang Telecom.

The surname of the head of Datang Telecom is relatively rare, with the surname "Zhen" and the first name "Caiji".

The real boss took office in the middle of last year and took over the position of former boss Zhou Huan. In this phone call, he not only invited Mr. Fang again to attend the meeting and negotiation between Datang and SMIC, but also discussed possible cooperation with Bingxin.

"Mr. Fang, your Yike mobile phone has achieved great success abroad. It's not easy." The real boss said with a kind tone, "Especially, I see that Yike mobile phone uses chips made by Bingxin." , which is even more difficult.”

He continued: "The development of ice core is not easy. I really admire Mr. Fang for working so hard."

Fang Zhuo said a few words modestly.

The real leader added: "There are wafer manufacturing and end products. Mr. Fang must also know that our domestic mobile phones still lack the chip design link. Our Datang will establish Lianxin Technology this year, which is dedicated to domestic chip design. Company, please ask Mr. Fang’s ice core for help when the time comes.”

Fang Zhuo was surprised and became really interested. He asked: "Lianxin Technology? The domestic mobile phone industry chain does still need to make progress in the design aspect."

"Yes, I hope that Lianxin can provide chips and solutions for 3G and future 4G mobile terminals." The real boss said with a hearty smile, "I hope that in the next two years, we can come up with a mature chip design that can be used by President Fang like this Procurement from powerful manufacturers can achieve cornering overtaking in this link."

After hearing this, Fang Zhuo pondered slightly: "Datang Telecom has the advantage of 3G communication standards, which can form a synergy."

He paused and then directly stated the reality: "But chip design must also be solid and careful. For example, our ice core will also receive the tape-out of some mobile phone chips. There are quite powerful manufacturers here. However, the result is that the tape-out is repeated many times." Failure is depressing.”

"This work must be pragmatic, solid, and done step by step."

The real leader stopped smiling a little and still said: "So, we are particularly eager for the advanced technology of ice core. We hope to use the help of local technology and rely on Datang Telecom's industrial chain advantages to try our best to surpass the 3G corner. opponent."

Fang Zhuo doesn't think 3G is a corner that can be surpassed.

In particular, Lianxin has not yet been officially established.

But that's all he talked about. Going deeper would offend people.

The design of mobile phone chips will not only face strong competition from international giant manufacturers, but also have to compete with local chip manufacturers in the low-end market. Moreover, it will definitely require a steady stream of R\u0026D expenses, and it is still a talent-intensive and technology-intensive field. .

There is a long way to go in such a link. Even if Fang Zhuo thinks about combining Ice Core's wafer manufacturing and Yike's end products, plus taking Hao Hao by force... no, plus uniting partners, he must be cautious and down-to-earth.

As soon as he came up, he was thinking about overtaking in corners. At the very least, Fang Zhuo had some different opinions on strategy.

Switching to other fields, the first time I talked to the real boss, he was very complimentary, but when it came to IC design, he couldn't help but say a few more words.

Fang Zhuo suppressed his thoughts and continued chatting with this person.

The real boss’s phone call was mainly to express his stance on Datang’s investment in SMIC and his willingness to strongly support SMIC. At the same time, he also mentioned that he was willing to take advantage of the rapid development of TD-SCDMA’s 3G business in China to enhance the competitiveness of the two companies. International Competitiveness.

When Fang Zhuo talked about this, he really didn't say anything more.

Mr. Zhang is about to reply that as long as SMIC is willing to accept the influence of Datang, which is different from previous investors, he naturally has no position to say anything. Simply from the perspective of a small shareholder, he is willing to see a win-win situation.

Near the end of the call, Fang Zhuo politely refused to attend the negotiation meeting between the two parties again, for very good reasons.

Yike Mars is facing fierce competition. The new iPhone is about to be launched, and new phones from LG and Nokia are also on the way. He must concentrate on facing this wave of competition.

The real leader made a final statement with some regrets about cooperation with SMIC. He also looked forward to the future prospects of Lianxin and Bingxin. He hoped to have time to visit Mr. Fang in person.

Fang Zhuo agreed without hesitation. Although such a few words were a bit judgmental, as for semiconductors, the more people coming in, the better. It is better than being deserted.

When he put down the phone, he thought about Datang's relationship with SMIC and Lianxin, and thought that he would meet Zhang Rujing before flying to the United States to hear in person what the situation was like there.

In the evening, Fang Zhuo browsed the news in Silicon Valley, thinking about getting up early tomorrow morning to see the true face of the iPhone generation and see if it was what he expected.

However, before he could fall asleep, he received an enthusiastic call from Judi, the leader of the new district.

"President Fang, I heard that the internationally renowned company Yike Company is going to build a landmark headquarters?" Qiu Di came over after smelling the smell.

"That's just the mention, it's not confirmed yet." Fang Zhuo turned around in his mind, guessing that Liu Suyi was not strict with his words, but the relationship between him and Lao Qiu had been very good from the beginning, so it was not too surprising.

"I have long said that Hang Lung cannot accommodate the two big companies Yike and Yigou. The employees are still running separately, which will reduce work efficiency. We can just find a good land in our new district and build an Yike Technology Park. It will be so grand. !" Judy laughed.

Fang Zhuo asked: "Is there a discount for buying land? If there is a discount, go."

"As long as you come, there must be a discount. If the district can't decide, I will take you to the city and make sure that Mr. Fang sees my sincerity." Judi said.

"What's the use of seeing sincerity? What I want is the ultimate benefit."

Fang Zhuo laughed and chatted for a while, and the matter of the new headquarters was slightly put on the agenda.

There were no more unnecessary things that night. Instead, at six o'clock in the morning, which is six o'clock in the evening in Silicon Valley, Apple on the other side of the ocean was holding a launch conference for its new iPhone.

Fang Zhuo was brushing his teeth and browsing the latest news on his laptop.

March 1 on this other side really didn’t bring him any surprises. The iPhone’s 3G, Apple Store, adding GPS components, adding front cameras, more power, and the use of plastic back shells.

The first-generation iPhone had some poor reviews on mobile phone signals. In order to improve this problem, the second-generation iPhone replaced the metal material with engineering plastic.

However, just because the competitive product information is expected does not mean that this iPhone does not pose a threat.

Apple's early release of mobile phones has almost wiped out the misaligned competition from Mars. The front camera is no longer unique, and the same is true for the system ecosystem.

It will take time for consumer market feedback, but logically, Mars sales may continue to slow down.

Fang Zhuo thought about the changes in the mobile phone business and had a simple breakfast.

But before he finished his breakfast, he suddenly saw the latest news from another mobile phone manufacturer.

——LG announced that it will hold a new product launch conference on March 2.

In other words, LG launched its latest mobile phone product the day after the new generation of iPhone was released.

Fang Zhuo sensed this highly targeted message, and gradually became excited. LG was worthy of being the first manufacturer from South Korea, and this move was indeed very fast.

It’s just unclear whether LG will use capacitive screens and whether it will infringe on several key patents held by Yike.