The handset packs an LCD screen and an E Ink display on the back

Dec 4, 2013 08:53 GMT  ·  By

Today, Yota Devices has made its long awaited YotaPhone official, the first smartphone in the world to arrive on shelves with both a 4.3-inch LCD and a 4.3-inch E Ink display.

The mobile phone, showcased for the first time at the beginning of the year at CES, is expected to enjoy availability worldwide, but it has been released in only a handful of countries for now.

Starting today, users in European markets such as Russia, Austria, France, Spain, and Germany can purchase the device from Yota Devices’ online shop, for around €499 ($678).

The main selling point of the new handset consists of its aforementioned two screens. The main display, an LCD one, can deliver a 1280 x 720 pixels resolution, while the E Ink screen on the back offers a 360 x 640 pixels resolution.

According to the mobile phone maker, the main purpose of the rear display is to enhance the experience that users can receive from the smartphone, but it does not aim to replace the main screen. It can be used to read eBooks, view battery level, notifications, and other information.

The smartphone also arrives on shelves with a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor inside, paired with 2GB of RAM. Furthermore, it sports 32GB of internal memory.

Those who purchase the device will also take advantage of a 13-megapixel rear camera on it, along with a 1MP front camera.

The YotaPhone is powered by an 1800mAh battery, and also comes to the market with LTE-band compatibility, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity capabilities, GPS receiver, and the usual set of sensors, but lacks NFC.

The handset runs under Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system right from the start. The phone does not feature physical buttons on the front, but it does have a power button at the top, and volume keys on the side.

“The typical user picks up and activates their smartphone more than 150 times a day. Why? Because users worry that messages or information they need or want are hidden behind their phone’s black screen,” Vlad Martynov, CEO of Yota Devices, said.

“You can save anything on the always-on display from a map to boarding pass. Information like a missed call or meeting reminder, stays on the always-on screen until it is no longer needed.”

The YotaPhone has been released in Black and White color flavors. As Pocket-lint notes, the smartphone is expected in the UK in January 2014, while set to arrive in various markets in the CIS, Europe, and the Middle East sometime in the first quarter of the next year.

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

YotaPhone
YotaPhone
Open gallery