Archos Debuts Google Android Smartphone Line
Archos has made the leap from Android Tablets to Google Android-based smartphones. The company on Friday debuted three new entry, mid, and high-end smartphones.
The new Android-based devices include the Archos 35 Carbon ($99.99), Archos 50 Platinum ($219.99), and Archos 53 Platinum ($249.99).
Archos plans to launch all three smartphones in Europe sometime in May. The devices do not require a contract, which may make them a more attractive offering given their relatively low price structure.
The company’s mid-range Archos 50 Platinum features some nice options including a 5.0-inch full black IPS display that is powered by a quad-core CPU running a 1.2GHz processor and 8 megapixel camera. The company claims that that the Archos 50 Platinum offers end-users an “experience similar to the Samsung Galaxy S3 for half the price.”
The Archos 53 Platinum, in the meantime, offers a 5.3 inch screen, while the Archos 35 Carbon pushes out a much smaller 3.5 inch display.
“The smartphone market is shifting, as SIM-free sales versus subsidized sales are increasing, and Archos is prepared to respond, as we can offer retail channels affordable, unlocked and feature-rich smartphones without the need to subsidize,” said Loïc Poirier, CEO of Archos, in the statement. “Furthermore smartphones and tablets are interrelated markets that have quickly crossed over with the arrival of ‘phablets’ — half-phone, half-tablet devices. It only makes sense that this should be our next phase of products as this would be a natural fit for our brand and long term growth.”
Here are the company’s three devices for comparison purposes:
All three smartphones operate on the Google Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS, and they support 3G speeds but lack 4G LTE compatibility. The devices also feature Dual SIM card slots,cloud storage, and both rear and front-facing cameras.
Google Android is still dominated by the Samsung Galaxy S line of smartphones, and the HTC One has finally released in the US. The real question will be whether or not consumers are willing to give an untested line of smartphones a chance.
