An Amazon smartphone is a much awaited and rumored device that would seem to be a completely logical move for the world’s biggest retailer. With Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) already occupying an important market position with its range of Kindle Fire devices, it has long been considered inevitable by analysts that Amazon would release a Kindle-branded smartphone sooner rather than later. Well, it now seems that these murmurings have a solid basis. Months of speculation may be drawing to an end, as photos obtained by BGR.com purport to show a prototype of an Amazon smartphone.
Amazon smartphone: Multiple camera device
Naturally, details are still a little thin on the ground, as this appears to be a leak which has not emanated from Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) itself. But what can be confirmed by these images, firstly, is that the Amazon handset will feature five cameras. These are clearly visible on the front of the device, which one in each corner and a standard front-facing camera presumably intended to handle the photography capabilities of the device. This raft of cameras is intended to help the device create 3-D visual effects, while the source has stated that it has been in conversation with numerous credible sources regarding Amazon’s forthcoming smartphone.
The smartphone pictured is apparently one of two devices that Amazon will launch in the near future. This is a growing trend in the smartphone marketplace, with the two major players, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935), both launching both ‘affordable’ and ‘premium’ versions of their flagship smartphones. In accordance with this Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has evidently opted for a similar economic model; the images show the premium flagship model, while the second Amazon smartphone will be an entry-level budget device.
According to reports, the more affordable of the two models will not include multiple cameras and 3-D capabilities. This has previously been reported by a variety of media, so can be considered to be a relatively solid notion. The premium device will apparently be fitted with a 4.7-inch 720p display and be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, meaning that its performance will be at least comparable to the iPhone 6, at least based on what we’ve heard about Apple’s device thus far.
What is Amazon’s niche?
It is fair to say that Amazon will be strongly pushing the 3-D element of its smartphone once it is ready for release. This 3-D perspective will be incorporated into wallpapers and apps, according to BGR.com. A release date isn’t known for certain yet, but sometime in the summer is already being floated as a possibility, meaning that it could hit the market before the iPhone 6, which is expected in September.
In terms of a launch price, this has not been floated yet, and it is not quite clear where Amazon believes there is a gap in the market. If anything the smartphone space has looked pretty cramped over the last year or so, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) clearly preparing to release a more phablet-sized device when the iPhone 6 comes out. An Amazon Kindle Fire smartphone would seem to be a very strong brand, but Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) will have work to do to establish its new handset in the marketplace.
