The rumor is true: PepsiCo is expanding its business to smartphones and mobile accessories in China in the next few months.
The device named Pepsi P1 will have a 5.5-inch display, 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage, 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front camera, as well as a 3000 mAh battery, as first reported by Mobipicker. The company is reportedly planning to sell it for CNY 1,299 (approximately $205) in Beijing beginning Oct. 20.
"Available in China only, this effort is similar to recent globally licensed Pepsi products which include apparel and accessories," a spokeswoman for PepsiCo told Reuters.
The New York-based food and beverage corporation is currently working with an unnamed licensing partner. PepsiCo had previously partnered with Danish electronics company Bang & Olufsen and Italian shoemaker Del Toro shoes for accessories and apparel.
Pepsi clarified that it is not yet joining the long list of smartphone makers.
"Pepsi has always moved at the speed of culture, and today technology is a key cultural pillar at the heart of consumer interaction. Pepsi has no plans to get into the mobile phone manufacturing business, but we are committed to engaging with consumers in innovative ways to grow our brand. We'll share more news as it becomes available," a spokesperson said in an email to AdWeek.
It is still uncertain whether consumers would be interested in owning a Pepsi smartphone. It is also not the first time that a beverage company has started selling non-food or beverage products; Coca-Cola has other products too, including apparel, tabletops, home decor and pet accessories, among others.
