Asustek Computer has set a priority to ramp up its smartphone shipments in 2014 and will start marketing its Intel-based entry-level ZenFone series in China, Southeast Asia and other emerging markets in March, according to industry sources.

　　Initially, Asustek will launch three ZenFone smartphones: the 4-inch ZenFone 4, 5-inch ZenFone 5 and 6-inch ZenFone, for US$99, US$149 and US$199, respectively, unlocked, the sources noted.

　　Asustek plans to launch at least six ZenFone smartphones in 2014 and aims to ship a total of 10 million ZenFones in the year, said the sources, citing a company internal plan.

　　However, some market watchers are skeptical of Asustek's goal given strong competition in China's entry-level smartphone segment and high price-performance ratios of China-made smartphones.

　　China's top-4 handset vendors - ZTE, Huawei, Lenovo and Coolpad - all aim to ship over 50 million smartphones in 2014, while other second-tier brands including Xiaomi Technology are also ramping up their shipments, indicated the sources.

　　Asustek should be able to ship over five million smartphones in 2014 compared to slightly over one million shipped in 2013, the sources estimated.