Competition in Taiwan's entry-level smartphone market is intensifying as a number of vendors including Asustek Computer, HTC, InFocus and Xiaomi Technology have stepped up their presence in the segment, according to sources at the local retail channels.

While Asustek and HTC have continued to push sales of their entry-level to mid-range models, the ZenFone 2-series and the HTC Desire 620, respectively, Xiaomi is set to launch the Mi 4i in the local market at NT$6,499 (US$211) unlocked on May 15.

HTC's recently released HTC E9+ for the mid-range segment will also affect sales of entry-level models of other brands, said the sources.

Meanwhile, InFocus has begun marketing its M2 smartphone at NT$2,500 unlocked in cooperation with wholesale distributor Costco.

Smartphones with a price tag of below NT$6,000 (US$195) accounted for 30% of total smartphones sold in Taiwan in 2014, representing a three-fold increase from a year earlier, according to data compiled IDC.

The ratio of entry-level models is likely to climb to 35% in 2015, some sources have estimated.