Vodafone launches into developing-world phones
updated 02:05 pm EDT, Mon May 21, 2007
Vodafone 125 and 225
World cell carrier Vodafone today revealed a pair of phones targeted expressly at developing countries, where the costs of typical cellphones exclude much of the local population. Similar to the Nokia 1200 series, the Vodafone 125 and 225 (pictured) are made by China's ZTE to cover areas on the very fringes of service without adding a serious financial burden. While exact details of the phones remain unknown, the 125 is an extra-simple model with a monochrome screen; the 225 has the same core feature set with a color LCD for easier navigation of its icon-based interface.
Costs for the handsets will vary by each region, depending on the choice of the 125 or 225 as well as the prices the individual market can bear: Vodafone expects prices as low as $25 US and as much as $45. Egypt, Romania, and South Africa are expected to carry the new line within the next few weeks and should be followed by releases in other countries over the course of the next several months.
