China-based Gionee will soon launch its very first clamshell-shaped smartphone. The device marked as Gionee W900 has been caught while getting regulatory approval from TENAA, which is the Chinese equivalent of the FCC.
From its TENAA page we get to learn about W900’s internals that are rather impressive: it packs a pair of 4-inch screens with full HD (1080×1920 pixels) resolution for a rather amazing 550 ppi density. In addition, this thing also comes with 2GB of RAM, 13MP main/rear and 5MP front cameras, 16GB of expandable storage, and an unspecified quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz (could be Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 or 410). Android 4.4 KitKat is running the show, whereas the entire package weighs in at 172 grams and is 14.8mm thick when closed.
Chances are the W900 will launch any day now, and in the first few months it will be exclusive to Gionee’s home turf of China. Only later we may see it hitting few surrounding markets, and with the help of local exporters – also in the Western hemisphere. I doubt it will hit the major carriers’ portfolios in the West, though.
For those sleeping under a rock, Gionee came to prominence with its super-thin phones, one of which (Gionee Elife S5.1) even got a spot at the Guinness World Records book/site.
I often wonder why we don’t see modern, smart clamshells in the West. With a novel dual-screen setup, I’m sure these devices would become a profitable niche for the few companies pursuing the opportunity. What do you think?
[Via: PhoneArena]