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BenQ Corporation (/ˌbɛnˈkjuː/; Chinese: 明基電通股份有限公司) is a Taiwanese multinational company that sells and markets technology products, consumer electronics, computing and communications devices[2] under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan Bringing Enjoyment NQuality to life.[3] Its principal products include televisions, LCD monitors, projectors, interactive displays, speakers, lighting, peripherals, and mobile computing devices.
BenQ's head office is located in Taipei, and the company operates five branch offices in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, China, Latin America and North America, and employs over 1,600 individuals globally. The "BenQ" brand is present in more than 100 countries worldwide.
History
BenQ was originally founded in 1984, then spun off from Acer in 2001 to provide a separate branded channel. In 2006 Acer disposed of its remaining shares in BenQ.[4]
BenQ's first mobile phone was the M775C, which was released in 2003. During Q1 2004, eight new phones were announced, ranging from bar and clamshell phones to Windows Mobile smartphones. A further seven phones, mainly clamshells, such as the BenQ S500,[5] came in 2005.
On 1 October 2005, BenQ Corp. acquired the mobile devices division of Germany's Siemens AG, becoming the sixth-largest company in the mobile phone industry by accumulated market share. The acquisition results in a new business group, BenQ Mobile, of BenQ Corporation entirely dedicated to wireless communications. Mobile phones of the new group are marketed under a new brand, BenQ-Siemens.[6]
In late September 2006, the mobile devices division of BenQ, BenQ Mobile (Germany), announced bankruptcy when BenQ Corp. discontinued its funding. As a result, BenQ Mobile was placed under the supervision of a state-appointed bankruptcy administrator. In February 2007, BenQ Mobile was finally disbanded as a suitable buyer could not be found. An estimated 2000 BenQ Mobile employees lost their jobs.[7] On 24 August 2006 BenQ announced plans to spin off its manufacturing operations in early 2007, separating contract manufacturing and own-brand divisions.[8]
After Siemens
After BenQ-Siemens, BenQ continued to make phones, primarily aimed at the Asian market (although one was also released in Europe).
This is a list of BenQ phones during the post-BenQ-Siemens brands period between 2009 and 2012:
BenQ T33
BenQ T51
BenQ C30 (BenQ-Siemens C31)
BenQ E72 (Windows Mobile smartphone; also released in Europe) (not an E71 successor)
BenQ M7 (BenQ-Siemens M81 spirituality success's)
BenQ T60
BenQ E53
BenQ C36 (BenQ-Siemens C31 successor)
BenQ E55
BenQ MOMODESIGN MD300H (HSDPA) (This is a co-brands in exclusively project of gadgets for MOMODESIGN, the most rarest model of BenQ Mobile because the phone was made available in limited quantities volumes not over 5,000 units.)
After a hiatus, BenQ resumed production of smartphones under its own brand in 2013.[9]
Smartphones
Dell Venue Pro
Qisda Corporation, the parent company of BenQ, manufactured smartphones for Dell, which were marketed under the Venue Pro name, and which ran Windows Phone 7.[10] The phone was made available in limited quantities on 8 November 2010 with the launch of Windows Phone.[11] Delivery of the phone met severe setbacks, it was rife with numerous hardware issues,[12] and the device was discontinued as of 8 March 2012.[13]
Android
List of Android devices made by BenQ:
BenQ A3 — made for the Asian market, runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
BenQ T3
BenQ F5 RAM 2GB, runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat
EE (UK)
Starting in 2015 BenQ manufactured the Harrier and Harrier Mini Android Smartphones for the UK mobile telecoms provider EE.
Restructuring
On 24 August 2006, BenQ announced plans to spin off its manufacturing operations in early 2007, separating contract manufacturing and own-brand divisions.[8]
In April 2007, considering that the branded business has achieved sufficient profit and scale to sustain and grow its operation independently, BenQ announced the plan to spin off its branded business. After the spin-off, BenQ Corporation was renamed Qisda Corporation, which will focus on integrated manufacturing service business, and the spun-off company has succeeded the name of BenQ Corporation, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Qisda Corp.[14]
On 3 September 2007, the newly spun-off BenQ Corporation commenced its new operation to continue selling and marketing products under the BenQ brand name.[15]
Current day
Today, the BenQ Group consists of over 20 companies of various sizes. These companies are involved in a wide range of sectors covering:
1. Key components
2. Technology and system integration
3. Solutions and services
Logos
BenQ currently have a number of logos in use for B2B and B2C business.
BenQ B2C Jellybean logo
BenQ B2B logo
BenQ Corporate logo
BenQ Education logo
Sub-brands
ZOWIE esports gear
ZOWIE was founded at the end of 2008. It is a brand dedicated to the development of professional esports equipment. At the time it debuted, there were only three employees and one product.[16]
On 10 December 2015, BenQ announced that ZOWIE GEAR would become their new esports gaming division.[17] Their newer products include mice, mouse pads, monitors, and other gaming accessories.BenQ ZOWIE esports monitors are used by around 63% of professional gamers.[18]
In September 2022, BenQ announced the launch of their XL2566K 360 Hz Monitor.[19]
On 10 June 2022, ZOWIE announced that they would be joining the professional esports league - VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA as the Official Display Partner for the 2022 season.[20]
In January 2023, BenQ announced the launch of ZOWIE EC-CW Wireless Mice Series.[21]
MOBIUZ gaming monitors
In July 2020, BenQ announced the launch of its new MOBIUZ gaming monitor series.[22] MOBIUZ monitors introduce a new HDRi[23] adaptive technology that optimizes the HDR effect based on light conditions and built-in treVolo speakers and proprietary Eye-Care technology.[24]
In February 2023, BenQ announced the launch of its first OLED monitor, dubbed the MOBIUZ EX480UZ.[25]
In June 2024, BenQ announced the launch of its first Mini LED IPS monitor, dubbed the MOBIUZ EX31UX.[27]
In September 2024, BenQ unveiled the 38-inch EX381U MOBIUZ Gaming monitor with 4K, 144Hz refresh rate, and advanced features.[28]
Products
Monitors
As well as gaming and esports monitors, BenQ manufacturer monitors under its BenQ brand name for a range of other target markets including photography, videography, small to medium (SMB) businesses, large corporate businesses, home or studying.
Projectors
In May 2022, BenQ announced they had seized the No.1 market share for 4K and Full HD projectors in Q1 2022. According to Futuresource Consulting Quarterly Market Track Reports, BenQ reached the leading position as a vendor by sales volume in Europe. It achieved a market share of 23.42% for 4K, and of 24.5% for Full HD for the period Q1 2022.[29]
In May 2023, BenQ announced three new models in their 1K home cinema range including W4000i, W2710i and TK860i.[30]
In September 2023, BenQ released their new Gaming Projector X Series - X3100i, X500i and X300G.[31] Compatible with all major consoles including Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
Interactive displays
In March 2023, BenQ Launched the First Education Interactive Displays with Official Google Mobile Services at Bett Show in the UK[32]
In 2023, BenQ launched its subbrand, BenQ Education with a new logo, colour scheme and website to showcase its interactive displays for the education market.[34] Rivalling competitors in the education display market such as Promethean, Clevertouch, Vestel and Smartboard.