ARM hints at $20 smartphones in next few months

Posted on Wednesday, May 07 2014 @ 14:26 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Chip designer ARM predicts we'll see the first $20 Android smartphones in the next couple of months. Such a device will obviously be limited in terms of specifications, it will feature a single-core Cortex-A5 processor and probably 2.5G/EDGE connectivity.

But even with such modest specs, demand for such devices is likely to be massive, especially in developing markets. While around 500 million entry-level smartphones/tablets (costing $150 or less) were shipped last year, figures jointly compiled by ARM and industry analysts Gartner estimate that that figure will double to a billion by 2018.

ARM says that “advanced mobile computers are becoming affordable to all”, but adds that handsets are unlikely to be priced much below $20 for the foreseeable future due to ‘manufacturing limits’.

Source: Neowin

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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