The phone would run on Firefox OS and should accelerate the transition of feature phones to smartphones in developing world
In developed nations, the level of smartphone ownership has reached levels of previously unseen height. People literary change smartphones like they are changing a pair of trousers and of course, the market looks like it’s controlled by the big guns – the likes of Apple and Samsung.
So, if anyone wanted to become relevant in the mobile markets, looking elsewhere might prove to the best solution. In the developing world where the transition from outdated feature phones to smartphones hasn’t really taken a spark, the transition could now be accelerated and one way that would be actualized is by producing low cost smartphones.
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There are billions of consumers living in South America, Asia and Africa. A few have already benefited from low cost mid-range smartphones produced by vendors like Gionee, Tecno and Infinix. Even Apple and Samsung have created down-market smartphones for the region where a good number of persons reportedly live under one dollar a day. Despite all these, cost remains a problem.
Mozilla has identified cost as a major problem and the biggest hindrance of the feature-to-smartphone transition in developing world. They have the solution and it’s a new smartphone that will cost only $25. It is extremely affordable and would run on Firefox OS. Mozilla is relying on Spreadtrum Communications, a Chinese company supplying the web browser giant with low cost chipsets, responsible for the extreme reduction in price. Also, two Indian manufacturing companies, Intex and Spice will also help Mozilla fabricate the smartphones locally, giving room for further price reduction, thus arriving at the $25 sweet price spot.
“Mozilla is dedicated to putting the power of the Web in people’s hands, and Firefox OS frees consumers, developers, mobile providers and manufacturers from the limitations and restrictions of proprietary platforms,” Dr Li Gong, COO of Mozilla explained in a press release.
There are no concrete details about the specifications and features of the phone, but at a sweet price spot, on par with feature phones. Mozilla believes it would be sufficient enough to lure budget income customers to embrace the Firefox OS low cost smartphone.
Image via Mozilla
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3 Comments
Lynnea David
seriously!. Can you elaborate on its features?
Nosa Ero Nosa
Details are still very much slim at the moment, but we will update as soon as we have further information
Adeniyi Badmus
WAO! Nice to hear ,following!