Vodafone has announced a new own-brand handset that's likely to sell for under $15, which is around £9.60 at current rates. The phone is called the Vodafone 150 'Tiger 1' and was announced this week at Mobile World Congress.
However, this device is unlikely to reach the UK because it – and its sibling, the sub-$20 Vodafone 250 'Tiger 2' – is designed for emerging markets. In the next few week's both dual-band GSM mobile phones are expected to go on sale in India and across Africa.
The Vodafone 150 and Vodafone 250 have been designed by TCL and, as well as handling voice and SMS services, both support mobile payment services.
Patrick Chomet, Vodafone's Group Director of Terminals, said "The cost of mobile handsets can be one of the most significant barriers for people in accessing and benefiting from the growing number of socially valuable mobile services. The lives of people who use these phones - the Vodafone 150 and Vodafone 250 – will be changed and improved as they become part of the mobile society. I am proud of the work we have done and will continue to do in this critical area of customer empowerment."