ZTE launches Firefox phone

There have been plenty of rumours about this over the past few weeks but yesterday ZTE finally announced the ZTE Open, the world’s first Firefox OS Smartphone.

Initially the ZTE Open will go in sale in Spain, Venezuela and Colombia by the middle of the year and in other countries later this year.

Looking at the specification it’s clear that ZTE are aiming this at the entry level with HVGA screen and low amounts of RAM the likes of which we have not seen in the mainstream for some time.

Full press release below.

ZTE Open – the World’s First Firefox OS Smartphone

Telefónica to offer first commercially available smartphone with Mozilla’s Firefox OS in Spain, Venezuela and Colombia in mid-2013

25 February 2013, Barcelona, Spain – ZTE has launched ZTE Open, the world’s first smartphone to run on Mozilla’s Firefox OS open mobile ecosystem. Together with global operator Telefónica, ZTE will first launch the ZTE Open in Spain, Venezuela and Colombia in mid-2013.

The ZTE Open is an entry-level smartphone ideal for young people who are keen to experience the very latest technology, and people on limited budgets looking to make the move from a feature phone to their first smartphone. It features a 3.5-inch, HVGA TFT touchscreen display and has 256MB RAM and 512MB ROM combined with a 3.2MP camera. It supports Bluetooth 2.1, WIFI 802.11b/g/n and AGPS and has a 1200mAH battery.

“ZTE continues to push the boundaries with the aim of bringing customers the very latest that mobile technology has to offer.” said Mr. He Shiyou, ZTE EVP and Head of the Mobile Devices Division.

“ZTE has moved very quickly and has worked closely with us to develop a robust Mozilla Firefox OS smartphone,” said Brendan Eich, Co-founder and CTO of Mozilla. “Firefox OS brings powerful open Web technologies to the smartphone market, giving users more choice and more options that reflect their lifestyle.”

“Firefox OS is a major milestone for our industry, bringing true open standards to mobile for the first time,” said Marieta del Rivero, Group Devices Director, Telefónica. “We expect that the combination of accessible cost and a rich, open and dynamic smartphone experience will make the ZTE Open very attractive for our customers, especially young people, in these key Telefónica markets.”

Mozilla’s Firefox OS is HTML5-based and completely open source so ZTE Open users will be able to run Web apps and view their favourite websites without losing any of the features they love. This includes dynamic content and unique features such as more personalised search services.

Mozilla’s Firefox OS is free from restrictions. It provides a high-speed open standards platform perfect for developers looking to create HTML5-based websites and apps. Developers will be able to distribute their apps through the Firefox Marketplace.

The ZTE Open is on display at Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona at Stand 3C64/3C74, Hall 3.

ZTE is the 4th biggest manufacturer of handsets in the world according to IDC, a leading provider of global ICT market research and advisory services.

Key specifications of the ZTE Open

Mozilla Firefox OS

Size: 114 x 62 x 12.5mm

3.5inch, HVGA.TFT, One Point touch + Gesture Captive (two point option) screen

Memory: 512MB Rom +256MB RAM

Bluetooth 2.1, accelerometer, ambient light sensor

GPS, with AGPS, WIFI 802.11b/g/n

3.2M FF Camera

Battery: 1200mAH