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$30 Android smartphone to be launched in Africa

Africa , 04 Aug 2014

$30 Android smartphone to be launched in Africa

China based phone maker AMGOO is preparing to launch a $30 smartphone in Africa and the rest of the developing world.

The AMGOO AM 505 Spark, which runs on Google’s mobile operating system Android, has standard smartphone features such as the ability to access social media applications, dual-SIM card support and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Other expected features of AMGOO’s $30 smartphone include a rear (2.0 MP) and forward-facing (0.3 MP) camera, extra optional storage up to 32GB, USB mass storage and Bluetooth 2.0 support. In addition, the phone comes in three colour options of black, blue and red, and it is further expected to have e-book reader capabilities.

The company expects to start shipping the AMGOO Spark on the third week of August 2014.

“The AMGOO Spark is an entry-level smartphone designed to further spur smartphone adoption in Africa and around the world,” the company said.

The introduction of the smartphone, if successful, could spark a phone price war in Africa.

In Kenya, the cost of entry level smartphones range from $100 to $150.

Experts; though, have predicted a wave of ultra cheap smartphones hitting the global market.

In his Mobile East Africa speech in February in Nairobi, Tomi T. Ahonen, predicted that years to come $10 smartphones could enter the market.

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