Keeping in view of penchant of Indians for large screen smartphones, Idea Cellular, India’s 3rd largest mobile operator, has announced today its entry into the 5.5” screen category with the launch of 3G enabled Idea ULTRA II phablet for Rs, 12,500. Idea has also come out with entry-level 3G smartphone Idea !d 1000 for Rs. 5,400.
Idea ULTRA II features a 5.5” display, and is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera with HDR and 2 MP front camera with LED flash, and video-conferencing facility. This Dual-SIM phabet is powered by a 1.3 Quad Core Processor and runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.2. It is packed with a 2500 mAh battery, which has feature of Power saver mode for 75% extra saving on battery time. Idea has not provided memory storage and display resolution details in the press note.
Idea ULTRA II comes in White and Electric Graphite colors, and will be available in Idea’s major 3G markets – Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra & Goa, MP & Chhattisgarh, Haryana, UP West, and UP East.
The Idea !d 1000, features a 3.5” screen, and is an entry level 3G smartphone aimed at first time smartphone buyers. It is powered by a 1 GHz dual core processor and also runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.2 OS. This smartphone has built in social networking applications. The Dual-SIM Idea !d 1000 carries a 2MP rear camera and has an internal memory of 4GB, expandable to 32 GB.
Like Ultra II, this smartphone will also be available in Idea’s major 3G markets.
Idea is the only mobile operator in the country to offer a vast array of affordable 3G devices which is targeted at upgrading 2G users to 3G. With the launch of two new devices, Idea’s portfolio of 3G smartphones has gone upto 15, and the company claims it has already sold over 6.5 lakh devices its earlier range of 8.89 cm (3.5”), 10.16 cm (4”), 11.43 cm (4.5”), and 12.7 cm (5”) screen categories.
Speaking at the launch event in the city today, Mr. Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, said, “Lack of availability of affordable 3G smartphones with high-end features is the deterrent to mobile data growth in India. Idea has tried to bridge this gap by offering the best value for money 3G devices, in addition to our superior 3G products, services, and network coverage. We have witnessed consistent growth in data uptake in our 3G markets where Idea branded 3G smartphones have been selling, for the past two years. This has encouraged us to further expand our devices portfolio with the launch of our first 14.0 cms (5.5”) 3G smartphone, ULTRA II, and the entry-level !d 1000, which will help us target consumers at both ends of the spectrum.”
