Mozilla is all set to launch Firefox OS based smartphone in Indian market. According to report by WSJ, Mozilla is planning to bring Firefox OS based smartphone as low as $25 (around Rs. 1500 only).
Firefox launched low-budget smartphones in Europe and Latin America only for $60. Now they realized to come in one of the largest consumer electronics market of world. Last year in January 2013, Firefox announced two smartphone running on Firefox OS. Later in July 2013, ZTE launched ZTE Open in India with FireFox OS only for 6,990. Although this smartphone couldn’t attract consumers in India. But It created a possibility of Firefox OS based smartphone in India.
Reports suggest that Firefox OS based smartphone will be launched in India in July this year. Specifications of the product have not been revealed. But the reports confirmed that smartphone will come with Spreadtrum SC6821 processor, 3.5″ HVGA touchscreen display, Camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and FM.
Android is very popular in India and Android smartphones in India can be grabbed for as low as Rs. 2700 only. Few days back, Celkon Campus A35k was launched only for Rs. 2999 with Android Kitkat. So, competing with Android will be very hard for Firefox. This is why they want to go beyond Android range.
Low cost Firefox OS based smartphone will have no effect on Android market. But these new smartphones will affect feature phone market in India. And of course it would be a better deal over buying a featured phone. Mozilla also believes that it have a better chance at competing with Windows Phone and Tizen. Mozilla has also partnered with Intex and Spice for its new ultra low cost Firefox OS based smartphones.
“With a $25 price tag, there is no price gap between a smartphone and a feature phone. This attractive price point would help motivate feature-phone users to switch to smartphones,” said Mozilla Chief Operating Officer Gong Li.
Indian smartphone manufacturers are also trying to cut down prices of entry level smartphones. It would be interesting to see whether they will adopt Firefox OS or compete Mozilla with Android.
Lack of apps was the major drawback of Windows Phone when it was launched in India. This was the main reason for slow growth rate. If Mozilla is planning to target Indian market, they will have to make sure that basic apps like Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, YouTube, Whatsapp and other are available. Otherwise people will increase budget to buy Android smartphone.
Mozilla can also go with network provider partnership model to provide additional subsidy. It could go with operator tie-ups and offer free data plans and multi-media content. It really works in India.
With low price for smartphones and big distribution network, Mozilla expects to sell around 10 million Firefox powered smartphones in next 12 months. Currently more than 1 million smartphones are running on Firefox OS.
