Orange Barcelona handset to expand budget Android options
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - 10:11:36
The Orange Barcelona is the latest entry level Android mobile phone which has been promised for launch in the UK.
The Barcelona only runs Android 2.2 but Chinese manufacturer HTC has managed to squeeze a lot into its modest sized shell.
It packs a 2.6 inch touchscreen display along with a full QWERTY keypad, so it looks very much like an off-brand BlackBerry device, albeit with the flexible Android OS under the skin.
On its rear is a flashless 3.2 megapixel camera and there is, allegedly, a secondary camera around the front for 3G video calling, although initial press images acquired by Unwired View do not seem to showcase this last feature.
Wi-Fi connectivity is promised along with all the usual Android trimmings, which could mean Flash support in the browser. However, with no mention of processor speed it is difficult to judge how well this will actually work in practice.
Orange made a splash with the San Francisco in 2010 and this value-oriented handset continues to sell well to pay as you go customers. Of course the Barcelona is a little different, targeting those who want the reassuring presence of a physical QWERTY keyboard for texting and emailing, rather than a larger touchscreen display.
Expect to pay around £120 for the Orange Barcelona when it launches if you want to buy it on PAYG. Orange will also be offering it on a pay monthly contract for around £15 a month if you want to avoid any upfront costs.
The wealth of Android mobiles flooding the market might make it a little more difficult for the Orange Barcelona to stand out from the crowd than might have been possible last year. However, on paper it should be competitive enough to win fans.
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