The Freedom 251 has been making rounds across the web-sphere, for the most part resulting from its next to zero retailing price of $4 (UGX 13,600). This is a very attractive price for smartphones in developing nations and India wants to led the way on this. On the spec side of things, the Freedom 251 is a 4 inch WVGA resolution Android 5.1 Lollipop device with 1GB of RAM, a 1.3GHZ quad core processor, two 3.2MP and 0.3MP cameras, 8GB internal storage and a 1450mAh battery plus an iOS-esque UI.
Such a miracle wonder not only with its asking price but how it’s parent company, Ringing Bells will be able to sell this uncanny hardware that cheap and stay in business. The average price of phones is in upwards of $50 (UGX 170,000) according to analysts.
Ringing Bells went on to cement their $4 pricing that it will be supported by economies of scale, sourcing components from with in India and an already available market given it has received 50 million registrations for 2.5 million pre-orders after it went live in India. However the Indian Cellular Association has raised concerns over the company citing noncompetitive behavior and how the 5 months old OEM, Ringing Bells would achieve selling a smartphone at below cost prices because it is visible that a carrier subsidy is not in place.
Ringing Bells’ business model tries to mirror the Mozilla led Fire Phone initiative with their ultra cheap Fire OS phones. The latter wound business as their smartphones never found the light of the day in consumers hands. Mozilla had to call off the venture given its uptake was minimal and was marred with app problems plus the competition from low cost Androids was one to beat.
However the Freedom 251 has Google’s ecosystem to thrive on and it’s one of the excuses that might accelerate its adoption. Ringing Bells didn’t disclose its worldwide availability but for now, it will only retail in India.
Image Credit: financialprospect
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