With Firefox OS, Mozilla begins the $25 smartphone push

[PillowSmoke]

A Mozilla reference phone, built with Spreadtrum's processor, that ultimately will hit the market as a $25 device for customers who don't have the funds for higher-end phones.

 

Mozilla has new partnerships to carry its browser-based OS to high-growth, low-cost markets like Indonesia where iOS and Android are vulnerable. Also: more power at the same price from Alcatel and ZTE, the first LTE Firefox OS phone, and a 7-inch tablet.

 

BARCELONA -- Mozilla doubled down on its bet that low-end smartphones will give Firefox OS a place in the crowded mobile market, announcing partnerships Sunday that will bring $25 smartphones to the large number of people who can't afford high-end models like Apple's iPhone 5S and Samsung's Galaxy S5 that cost hundreds of dollars.

 

At the Mobile World Congress here, Mozilla announced a deal with Chinese chip designer Spreadtrum Communications that will mean Firefox OS smartphones will arrive in extremely cost-sensitive markets like India and Indonesia where people often buy phones from a bin in a store.

 

"We're working with them to break through the $50 barrier, which is a hard," Mozilla Chief Technology Officer Brendan Eich told CNET. "This is going to be for a set of [sales] channels in Asia that do not involve operators," the carriers that in other parts of the world dominate distribution.

 

One company that plans to make and promote the phones is Indonesia-based Polytron. And Indonesian carriers Telkomsel and Indosat plan to sell the devices.

 

Source: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13970_7-57619338-78/with-firefox-os-mozilla-begins-the-$25-smartphone-push/

[megadarkwood]

I don't know how many people will buy it because of the $0 phones on contract..

[Zeal]

I'd be wary about the build quality...I understand it's a budget phone for lower income markets, but at $25 a pop, Mozzilla will have to sell a crap ton to recoup their costs.

[Assassin]

I don't know how many people will buy it because of the $0 phones on contract..

This is great for third world countries.

[Panda of the Shadow]

This is great for third world countries.

Yeah that is the market they are adressing to. Also why in hell do you have that ugly case as your profile pic? 

[Neskia]

This is great for third world countries.

 

It's because it is.