Low-end
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Nokia rolls out 2720, 2730, and 7020 on the low end
Nokia has a tendency to roll out its low-end fare in big batches -- you might think of it as the polar opposite of, say, an NTT DoCoMo launch -- and the trend continues with today's announcement of the 2720, 2730, and 7020 (try saying that three times fast). The theme here is bringing internet capabilities to the very bottom-most reaches of the market, and indeed, all three devices offer email and basic web access. Starting with the 2720, you've got a super-basic clamshell with a mirrored finish that'll retail for €55 (about $74) in the third quarter. The 2730 switches over to the candybar form factor and becomes Nokia's cheapest 3G phone at just €80 (about $108) in the third quarter, while the 7020 follows in the fourth quarter with a concealed external display and 2 megapixel cam.
LG looks to boost market share to 10 percent with low-end phones
Here's a concept: sell cheap, low-margin phones while the economy is in the dumps in order to grow market share. Brilliant, right? Believe it or not, that's the idea that's being pushed around at LG headquarters, as the company has revealed a goal of increasing its global handset market share to at least 10 percent during this year. The company does expect profits to shrink over the course of 2009, but it's still hoping for a high single-digit percent profit margin on mobiles, against 11 percent in 2008. According to Skott Ahn, President and CEO of Mobile Communications at LG: "Developed markets will definitely suffer some contraction, but there's a chance for growth in first-time buyers in emerging markets." So, what does LG really have to do to hit 10 percent? Maintain its sales volume at 2008's level, which was moving some 100.7 million across the globe.
Samsung outs another low-end candybar overseas with the E1070
If the E1110 / E2510 handsets from Samsung were just too vivacious for your tastes, why not simmer on the freshly unveiled E1070 for awhile? Expected to launch later this month in Eastern Europe (along with other less developed markets, we presume), this simplistic mobile does little more than make and receive calls. It features includes a 128 x 128 resolution display, send / end buttons, a number pad, a battery and all the correct internals necessary to handle cellular communications. Niceties like a camera and multimedia player are nowhere to be found, but for just 650 CZK ($30), we'll let it slide.
LG's GB110 and GB106 candybars keep it real, real simple
Make no mistake -- LG isn't hoping to earn too many dollars (or too many of any other currency, actually) with the GB110 and GB106, but as Nokia has shown, there are solid deals to be made even at the low-end. The GB106 checks in with a 1.5-inch LCD, FM radio module, speaker, a calculator, stopwatch and a battery good for around four hours of yappin'. As for the GB110, you'll find most of the same specs in a slightly tweaked body, though the inclusion of a VGA camera and support for downloadable ring tones just might sway you over its scantily-featured sibling. There's no mention of pricing / availability at the present time, but we're guessing these are destined for emerging markets first and foremost.[Via UnwiredView]Read - LG GB106Read - LG GB110
Samsung's low-end E1410 candybar goes 22 days strong
It still can't hold a candle to Philips' Xenium 9@9 line, but 22 days ain't nothing to scoff at. Reportedly, Samsung is prepping a low-end E1410 candybar that'll last up to 22 days on standby, and better still, it can support up to 11.5 continuous hours of yappin' before calling it a night. The stout battery life is joined by a lackluster 128 x 128 display (1.63-inches), a simple phonebook, GSM connectivity and 4MB of inbuilt memory. Clearly Sammy's not kidding around with "low-end."
Analyst warns against low-end HDTVs, says it could cost you in the end
David Berman, director of training and public relations for the Home Theater Specialists of America, is clearly not a far of bargain bin HDTVs. We're not talking Vizio and the like, we're talking Sansui and these crazy labels you've never, ever heard of outside of the occasional Black Friday mention. According to him, he'd steer clear of any low-end HDTVs, as "the primary methods low-end manufacturers use to cut manufacturing costs are to remove key technologies and features that reduce performance, reliability, and service." It's tough to say exactly how accurate that is overall (at least in a "blanket statement" type sense), but in theory, we tend to agree. Particularly these days, when one can find a name brand set with decent specifications and a respectable warranty for next to nothing, there's hardly a reason to cut corners for an extra $25 to $50 savings. Just do Top Ramen for a few nights and you're even stevens!
Pantech gets official with C630 candybar: $40 on contract at AT&T
Ah, there you are! We've been expecting you! Yes, Pantech has finally come clean with the official US launch of the totally low-key C630. The simplistic candybar includes a few niceties, however, such as 3G (HSDPA) support, aGPS / AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, 1.3-megapixel camera and AT&T Video Share / Mobile Music capabilities. You'll also find a music player for handling those MP3, MIDI (seriously?), WAV and AAC+ files, not to mention a quad-band GSM radio and a battery good for five hours of talk time (over two weeks on standby). If this packs all you need, you can catch it on AT&T tomorrow for $39.99 on a two-year agreement; full release and specifications are after the break.
Low-end Kyocera S1300 candybar survives the FCC
And by "survive," we mean "survives the awful FCC photography clinic." All kidding aside, the photos this time didn't turn out too bad, but maybe that's because this phone is about as plain as plain can get. In fact, we'd suggest this here candybar is just marginally more sophisticated that those incredibly simplistic senior phones, though it does include a tri-band CDMA radio, GPS, speakerphone and a presumably putrid web browser. It's practically a lock for someone like MetroPCS, but we suppose only time will tell.[Via phonescoop]
Samsung offers up simplistic E1110 / E2510 handsets
If you can't appreciate the low-end with the elite, you'll probably find it impossible to respect Samsung's latest duo. The "classic" E1110 keeps it real simple with a 1.3-inch 128 x 128 resolution display, GSM 900 / 1,800 support, a 500 number contact book, MP3 ringtone compatibility, Bluetooth, 1.5MB of internal memory, USB 2.0 and a battery good for 8-hours of talk time (or 20 days in standby). Up next is the E2510 clamshell, which actually doesn't look too drab for a basic cellie. Features wise, it's rockin' a 1.9-inch 160 x 128 internal display, quad-band GSM support, Bluetooth / USB 2.0, 15MB of memory, a microSD card slot, FM tuner and talk time of 7-hours. There's no mention of price or global availability, so we'll just toss you a "good luck" on your hunt to find your next backup.
Samsung's remarkably low-end T109 now on T-Mobile
Samsung's SGH-T109 waltzed on through the FCC's database in mid-summer, and now it's available on T-Mobile for those looking for the bare necessities. Selling for the low, low price of $0.00 on contract, this green / black clamshell arrives with no camera, no Bluetooth and no real fun to speak of. It's a step or two above the Jitterbug, but don't buy this one expecting to show it off. Oh, and it makes / receives calls, so that's a plus.[Via CellphoneSignal]
Choosing a class for raiding with low FPS
NSDragon wants to know over on Livejournal: what's the best class to raid with on a low-end system (as in, one that gets only about 3-10 FPS during raid boss fights)? First of all, there's no reason you should be raiding with a system like that anyway -- even a cheap PC will run World of Warcraft better than that, and even if you can't afford a new computer, odds are that you can at least add some RAM in there and speed things up a bit. But let's assume that you're a great person and you've given all your money to charity, so there is no way that you can afford to buy anything faster.In that case, as most of the commenters on the thread say, ranged DPS is probably your best bet. You won't be able to pour out as much aggro as someone who isn't lagging, but at least you'll be able to use your 3 frames per second to do some damage, and you're sure you won't draw aggro and wipe the raid. As for which ranged DPS class, though, I'm not sure -- Hunters have autofire, so you can be sure that you'll be pushing out DPS constantly. Mages aren't too hard to raid with (most Mages will actually tell you that they just press one button over and over again). Warlocks might be easier with their DoTs, but even that relies on timing in a way that Hunter DPS really doesn't. I'd say Hunter.Some people are saying Healers, which I originally thought was a bad idea, but if you combine their recommendation of just looking at the floor (to speed up the FPS) and watching the healing meters, you might have something there. Wouldn't be very fun (whack-a-mole FTW), but you'd be helpful to the raid in situations where you wouldn't have to move around much. So healer might be a viable choice for a low-end computer user as well.
Nokia's 1209 and 2600 classic, simple and super cheap
Doesn't seem like that long ago that Nokia totally juiced its low-end offerings, but the world of inexpensive ear candy moves just as quickly as the rest of the market -- if not quicker -- and so the fleet is getting rejuvenated just a tad. The 1209 (pictured left) is naturally the lower end of the pair, a phone that Nokia has specifically designed for the concept of "phone sharing" that is largely unique to emerging markets; special features include extra cost tracking apps and separate phonebooks for up to five users. The more interesting of the two is the 2600 classic, featuring interchangeable Xpress-on (wow, it's been a while since we've heard that word) covers, support for MP3 ringtones, a VGA cam, and integrated FM radio. Look for the 1209 to start shipping next quarter for a mere €35 (about $51) while the 2600 classic has already kicked off deliveries for €65 (about $95).
Magellan's RoadMate 1200 keeps the low-enders happy
If you thought Magellan's RoadMate 2000 series was low-end, you ain't seen nothing yet. Turns out, the company has oh-so-quietly released a (relatively unsightly) RoadMate 1200, which has managed to slip under the radar until now. Spotted online in a number of locations for less than $200, this 3.5-inch navigator features a QVGA touchscreen, a Centrality Atlas processor, QuickSpell / SmartDetour functions, 1.3 million POIs, NAVTEQ maps of the continental United States / Puerto Rico / Hawaii on a 1GB SD card and a rechargeable Li-ion that's good for around three hours. It's a real yawner, we know, but there's a decent chance this thing's pricetag could sink even lower on Black Friday with a little luck.[Via NaviGadget]
Motorola busts out slew of low-end candybars
From our "never have so many handsets collectively interested us so little" department come these six gems, all Moto candybars from the low-end "W" line that are presumably destined primarily for emerging markets. We've yet to see any press releases detailing exactly what Motorola intends to do with these, but the imagery in its media database pretty much says it all; heck, two of the six even have monochrome displays (and no, they aren't e-ink, either). Four of the handsets -- the W156, W160, W175, and W180 -- do at least carry over the F3's wedge-shaped slim design, while the last two, the W206 and W213, look like they're straight outta 2003. We'll pass on this bunch, but if you want to send us a GSM 850 / 1900 MOTOFONE, guys, be our guest!
Nokia busts out new low-end fleet
Avert your eyes if you're married to S60 -- you'll find nary a smartphone here -- but Nokia's mustered a new slew of devices for emerging markets today that cover the full spectrum of form factors and radio technologies. Starting from the upper left, the lowly 1200 keeps things about as simple as they possibly could be with a throwback monochrome display, 32-chord ringtones, a "dust-resistant" keypad, and an integrated flashlight. The 1208 takes a small step up, swapping out the monochrome screen for a color one but otherwise keeping specs the same. The 1650 moves yet a little more upmarket with a considerably larger screen, though the keypad apparently loses dust resistance in the process. The 2505 is a CDMA (!) flip that maintains the integrated flashlight and rocks downloadable ringtones and wallpapers, a speakerphone, and a handful of integrated games and tools. Onto the second row starting at the left, the 2630 re-ups the 1650's formula and adds Bluetooth, GPRS data, and a VGA cam (heck, this seems like a perfectly decent handset for... uh, emerged markets, let alone emerging ones) -- and get this -- it becomes Nokia's thinnest phone, period, at 9.9 millimeters. The 2660 does the 2630's features in flip form, but loses the cam in the conversion -- but no worries, you can get it back with the 2760. Did ya get all that? Look for all of 'em to launch in the middle of this year in "select markets" for between €35 and €90 ($48 and $123) -- not bad at all, considering those are unsubsidized prices.
UTStarcom shows its low-end cards
They may not turn any heads, but UTStarcom's new low-end fleet led the company's somewhat quiet presence at CTIA last week. The CDM7026 and CDM7076 flips are nearly dead ringers for one another, though the 7076 ups the ante with a black and white external display, TFT primary display (as opposed to the 7026's CSTN), and a VGA cam; features common to both models include 8MB of RAM, 32MB of Flash, MP3 ringtones, and a 3.7 x 1.9 x 0.7-inch outline. Next up, the presently-unnamed "Ultra-Thin, Bar-Style Camera Phone" here comes equipped with Virgin Mobile branding, suggesting it'll follow up the Slice. At just over 10 millimeters thick, the candybar is reasonably well-equipped with 64MB of onboard storage, Bluetooth, speakerphone, voice dialing, and a VGA cam. No word on a release (or what carriers will get the flips, for that matter), but we reckon Virgin and UTStarcom have to look into naming this one before they can be thinking about dropping it.
Sony Ericsson hooks up with Sagem for low-end lineup
We know that the cellphone makin' game can be rough, Sony Ericsson; we really do. Sometimes you've just gotta take a load off. Heck, your fellow European in the Big Five, Nokia, washed its hands of much of its CDMA responsibilities through a deal with Korea's Pantech, so we can totally understand wanting to offload your low-end R&D and manufacturing duties to SAFRAN Group's Sagem. Of course, Sagem is a little closer to home -- France, to be exact -- than those Korean folks, so you should have a pretty easy go of it keeping your rebranded stuff in check. In fact, you're so uptight about it that you've decided to open a new office right in Sagem's hometown of Cergy, France, dedicated to the low-end segment. We look forward to seeing what y'all come up with -- let's just try to make them a little more believable than the "Nokia" 6315i, mkay?
Sony Ericsson's entry level J110, J120, K200, and K220
It seems Sony Ericsson prefers to use the more pleasant-sounding term "accessible" to describe the most lowly four of the handset barrage it's whipped out ahead of 3GSM, but let's just be straight up and tell it like it is -- these things are cheap. Hey, that's not a bad thing; Europe's number two manufacturer is holding its own on the high end, and we're all about covering every segment of the market. Going in order from left to right, the J110 is the... ahem, most accessible of the four with little more than an anemic 96 x 64 color display to its name. Next up the J120 takes the J110's formula and throws in an FM radio to add an ultra-affordable musicphone (if we dare use the term) to the stable. The K200 ups the display to 128 x 128 and tacks on a VGA cam, while the K220 gets the same FM radio as its cheaper J120 cousin. The J110 and K200 will come in 900 / 1800 and 850 / 1900 flavors for various parts of the globe, while the more expensive models will initially hold to 900 / 1800. Look for all four to hit in the second quarter of the year.
Samsung freshens low end with C140
Once in a great while, it's refreshing to take a step back from the madness of modern phone tech and take a look at the simpler side of mobility -- a segment of the industry where the ability to reliably place and receive calls is the priority, not which mobile TV standard or memory expansion format such-and-such device is supporting. Such is the Samsung C140: a candybar with no camera, no QVGA display (128 x 128 suffices here), and no "world's firsts," just a GSM 900 / 1800 radio with 700KB of memory, MMS, a WAP browser, Java support, and an unwavering desire to be sold contract-free for peanuts. Looks like it's already available in some parts of the world for under €50 (about $65) unsubsidized, which squarely pits this thing against the MOTOFONE. Small color display or e-ink? Decisions, decisions...[Via Unwired View, thanks Staska]
Sony Ericsson shows W200 on the low end
Sony Ericsson may only be teasing us right now on the high end, but the low end's looking a lot clearer today with the introduction of the W200 Walkman phone. The small-but-pudgy candybar just barely qualifies for musicphone status with a meager 27MB of internal storage, though the Memory Stick Micro slot comes in handy for remedying the situation. Other features include a VGA cam, 160 x 128 display, FM radio, and a 900 / 1800 / 1900 or 850 / 1800 / 1900 GSM radio topping out with GPRS data (no EDGE -- now that's low end!). Availability should kick off in the second quarter at an undisclosed price, though we're not too worried about this bad boy pricing itself out of the market. Follow the break for hands-on pics!
