Shake it like a Polaroid...smartphone? We could soon see up to four
Polaroid could debut a new family of Android smartphones next month at Mobile World Congress. You read that right: Polaroid.
Polaroid may be best known for its old-school photo technology, but it could also shake up a new family of Android-powered smartphones at Mobile World Congress next month. According to French tech site Frandroid we should be on the lookout for the Thunder, the Omega, the Cosmos and the Phantom.
The full set of specifications hasn't surfaced just yet, but those that have paint a picture of entry-level and midrange hardware. The four models will reportedly run Android 4.4 KitKat and support two SIM cards.
The Polaroid Thunder would have the lowest-end hardware, according to the rumors, with a 5-inch screen and quad-core processor. With an alleged 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, the phone could likely be targeted at first time users and buyers in emerging markets.
Moving up a notch, the Omega and Phantom are said to share nearly identical specs, like a 1.4GHz octa-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. In terms of cameras, the source mentions a 13-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front-facing combination.
Display size may be the biggest difference between the two: the Omega is said to feature a 5-inch screen while the Phantom would be a larger and 5.5 inches. The resolution is unclear for the pair at this point.
As for the Cosmos, that could be a higher-end device, but there just aren't any purported specs to back that up.
Not new to Android
Known primarily for its cameras and instant photography technology, Polaroid is actually no stranger to Android. The company currently offers a number of tablets, including a pair designed for kids. What's more, Polaroid has previously, and somewhat quietly, offered smartphones in Europe and Asia.
Could Polaroid be roaring into a stronger smartphone position? My gut says no. I think Polaroid will continue to produce a few low-cost alternatives to be sold in select markets, but that the company doesn't intend to be a more major player. I'd look for this year's models to span the same general range as last year's phone: between €70 and €200 (which translates to roughly $80-$230, £54-£150, and AU$103-AU$284.
CNET has contacted Polaroid for comment and will update the post with new information.