An affordable entry-level phone

Apr 4, 2007 10:46 GMT  ·  By

Less than a month has passed since Virgin Mobile was thought to be preparing Kyocera's low-cost clamshell phone, the Marbl for release. Customers weren't kept waiting much and now they can finally find the stylish entry-level phone in shops.

Meaning to target the average user with budget in mind that needs an easy to use mobile phone, the Marbl doesn't offer much. What it does include is a color screen, mobile web access and speakerphone, text messaging and access to Virgin Mobile content like ringtones, games from MTV, voice mail greetings or crank calls from Comedy Central shows. It is clearly a replacement for Virgin Mobile's Oystr that has proven to be extremely popular among the operator's young users.

"Our research among 15 to 34-year-olds shows that 68% currently have a clamshell or 'flip' phone, and that a majority expect their next phone to be that style as well," said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer for Virgin Mobile USA. "The same is true of Virgin Mobile's own 4.6 million customers, and MARBL gives them everything they need at an affordable price."

Aside from the flip-phone form factor that appeals to customers so much, Marbl is also pocket-friendly, being 0.8 inches thin and weighing less than 3 ounces. Just as was previously expected, the mobile phone is now available at $30 without a contract, which is quite reasonable for a mobile phone that doesn't tie the user down for two years with a certain mobile operator. Users will be able to find the Marbl at Virgin Mobile's more than 35,000 retail locations in the US.