Alactel Onetouch launches Firefox smartphone for Rs 1,990

Handset maker Alcatel Onetouch has partnered Mozilla to launch a new smartphone, priced at just Rs 1,990.

Alcatel Onetouch's claims the entry-level smartphone -- Fire C2G -- is the most affordable device in the category in India. The phone will be available exclusively through eCommerce major Flipkart.

"We see a great deal of opportunity to bring benefits to more consumers on a greater variety of devices at most affordable price," Alcatel Onetouch Regional Director (APAC BU India) Praveen Valecha said.

The Fire C2G features a 3.5-inch screen, 1 Ghz processor, 1.3MP camera and comes with FM radio.

Other Firefox OS based smartphones available in India include Spice Fire One Mi FX1 (Rs 2,299) and Intex Firefox Cloud FX (Rs 1,999).

Software major Mozilla, which runs the Firefox browser, had showcased a smartphone prototype costing as little as USD 25 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, targeting at developing countries including India and China.

Last month, feature phone maker Jivi had launched its first smartphone for Rs 1,999, aimed at the masses. It had claimed at the device was the cheapest Android-based smartphone available in the country.

Previously, Intex and Karbonn have launched sub Rs 3,000 smartphones based on the latest Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

The Indian smartphone market is witnessing intense competition, especially in the affordable category.

Touted as the fastest growing smartphone market globally, over 44 million smartphones were sold in the country last year, buoyed by affordable devices made by local firms such as Micromax and Karbonn.

According to research firm IDC, 18.42 million smartphones were shipped in India in Q2 2014 with Samsung as the leader with a 29 percent market share, Micromax (18 per cent), Karbonn (8 per cent) and Lava (6 per cent).