Huawei has historically offered various promotional freebies with the purchase of its Nova 3i smartphone in the Philippines. These promotions ranged from bundled accessories to subscription services, often tied to specific retailers, telco plans, or limited-time events. The Nova 3i, a mid-range device priced around PHP 15,990, was frequently the subject of aggressive marketing campaigns to boost sales. The availability of these freebies was strictly limited to select periods and channels, primarily within the Philippine market.
Back-to-School and Retail Promotions
Huawei periodically launched retail promos offering free gifts with the purchase of select smartphones, including the Nova 3i. In June 2019, Huawei announced a back-to-school promo available on June 1 and 2, 2019. This offer provided freebies with the purchase of select Huawei smartphones at participating Huawei stores. Specific details regarding the exact nature of the freebies for the Nova 3i during this specific weekend were not detailed in the source material, though the promo was confirmed to be active in select retail locations.
A more distinct retail event occurred on October 26, 2018, during Huawei Brand Day on Lazada. This event coincided with the launch of the Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro. During this Brand Day, Huawei offered freebies to customers purchasing the Huawei Nova 3i, the Nova 2 Lite, or the Y6 2018. While the source material confirms the existence of these freebies for the Nova 3i, it does not specify the exact items included in this particular Lazada promotion.
Pre-Order Incentives
Prior to the official market release, Huawei incentivized early adoption through pre-order campaigns. The Nova 3i was available for pre-order from July 19 to July 27, 2018, ahead of its July 28 store shelf date. Customers who pre-ordered the device during this window received a free Bluetooth speaker valued at PHP 2,990. These pre-orders could be placed at participating Huawei Experience Stores and authorized retailers nationwide.
Telco Postpaid Bundles
In the Philippines, the Huawei Nova 3i was widely available through major telecommunications providers Globe and Smart. Both carriers offered the device for free starting from Plan 1499. While the device cost was waived, the inclusion of additional freebies varied by provider.
Globe Postpaid Offer
Globe’s Plan 1499 included the Nova 3i for free and bundled several subscription-based freebies. These incentives included: * Disney Life: A six-month subscription to the Disney Life service. * Facebook Data: Free access to Facebook with a 1GB data allowance valid for 24 months. * Spotify Premium: A three-month subscription to Spotify Premium, accompanied by a 1GB data allowance.
Smart Postpaid Offer
Smart’s GigaX Plan 1499 also provided the Nova 3i for free. However, unlike Globe, Smart’s plan at this price point did not include additional freebies or subscription services. The focus of Smart’s offer was on data and call allocations rather than bundled third-party services.
Wearable Purchase Promotions
While the primary focus of consumer interest is the Nova 3i, the source material also details a significant promotion for the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro. This promo highlights Huawei’s strategy of bundling high-value accessories with hardware purchases. The promotion ran in two distinct weekly bundles in November:
- November 13–19 Bundle: Customers purchasing the Watch GT 2 Pro received Freebuds 3i (valued at PHP 5,990).
- November 20–26 Bundle: Customers purchasing the Watch GT 2 Pro received a Huawei Band 4e (valued at PHP 1,390).
These offers were available at the Huawei Online Store and select offline stores. Additionally, Huawei offered installment plans through major banks (RCBC, Metrobank, PNB, Citibank, Security Bank, EastWest Bank, BPI, BDO) with up to 24-month terms, and through Home Credit with up to 18-month terms.
Pricing Adjustments
The pricing of the Huawei Nova 3i saw adjustments following its initial launch. The device launched at a price of PHP 15,990. By early 2019, specifically noted around January 2019, the price was reduced to PHP 14,990. This price cut occurred approximately six months after the device's initial launch in the Philippines.
Conclusion
The Huawei Nova 3i was supported by a robust promotional strategy in the Philippines, featuring freebies such as Bluetooth speakers, subscription services (Disney Life, Spotify), and data allowances. These offers were primarily distributed through telco partnerships with Globe and Smart, as well as during limited-time retail events on platforms like Lazada and in physical Huawei Experience Stores. The availability of specific freebies was dependent on the purchase channel and the timing of the acquisition.