MAM
O2 Asia launches Xphone II Smartphone
BANGALORE: Following the successful launch of their PDA-phones the Xda IIs and Xda II mini in India in December 2004, all eyes are now turned to the latest Smartphone from O2, the premium mobile data devices and service provider.
The O2 Xphone II joins the Xda IIs and Xda II mini to provide India’s professional users with greater choice in powerful and stylish mobile productivity devices that can facilitate their work and enhance their social needs.
At only 102 grams, it is the slimmest Smartphone in the market, claims a company release. Even as its size rivals those of regular mobile phones, information displayed on the O2 Xphone II is showcased on a comparatively larger 2.2-inch, 65K-colour TFT-LCD screen that is now brighter and with higher contrast. A graphite-colored, ridged keyboard is provided to compliment the phone’s black casing, the release informs.
First rolled out in Mumbai and Delhi, this device from O2 is now available also in other major cities like Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Powered by the second edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone Edition operating system, the O2 Xphone II provides tools and applications such as secure corporate data, email and web access; personal information management; and multimedia capabilities. An integrated message box lets users organise their email, SMS and MMS messages from a single location. Compared with the original O2 Xphone – sales of which exceeded three times the company’s expectations – the O2 Xphone II looks set to draw in more customers, especially since it is also 26 percent slimmer and 22 percent lighter. Battery capacity has been increased significantly as well; the new model has a standby time of 140 hours and talk time of up to 4 hours for almost any conference call.
The O2 Xphone II also delivers on the multimedia front. Users can use it to take 500 digital photos or shoot up to 45 minutes of video footage with sound. For greater multimedia storage capacity, they can slot in a miniSD™ card to store more photos, extra MP3 files and longer videos.
“Not only is it the slimmest Smartphone, it also combines substance with an emphasis on styling. The whole proposition is built around what customers have told us they want from mobile data services: connectivity, productivity and sexy form factor. It gives them the ability to message, work and play any time, anywhere,” says O2 Asia CEO Mark Billington.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
