China-based handset vendor ZTE is expected to ship 60 million smartphones in 2015, increasing 25% from 48 million units shipped a year earlier, according to an industry estimate.

Smartphones shipped by ZTE in 2015 will sport features focusing on voice recognition and security functions, and will target mainly the CNY1,000 (US$161) segment, said industry sources.

Meanwhile, ZTE will also streamline its smartphone product lines and plans to withdraw from the sub-CNY599 segment, the sources noted.

The vendor will also exert more efforts to promote sales of own-brand models and strengthen its cooperation with open retail channels, while reducing its reliance on telecom operators, said the sources.