14 DAY TRIAL // While the mobile environment is dominated by iOS and Android, there are a few players out there who are trying to make alternative mobile operating systems.
There are those who create mobile OSes based on Linux, which is the case of Samsung (with Tizen) and Finnish company Jolla (with Sailfish), but heavily customized versions of Android are also available (like Remix OS or Cyanogen OS).
Such a customized version of Android is Smartisan OS, a mobile platform which has been loaded on the Smartisan T1 smartphone that launched in China back in 2014.
Now, it appears that the phone might be making its way to the US, as it was just spotted going through the FCC website. This is a bit curious, though, since the device features pretty ageing specs, but customers might be compelled to pick it up for the atypical Smartisan OS platform.
Here's what the Smartisan T1 is all about
The T1 smartphone features a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset fitted with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
The phone also delivers the services of a 13MP Sony IMX214 back camera, plus a 5MP front-facing one.
The spec list is completed by 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, GPS and GSM 3G networks.
However, at this point, we’re seeing device manufacturers launch phones with a Snapdragon 810 and at least 3GB of RAM, so Smartisan T1 is a bit outdated, although to be honest, the lack of a Snapdragon 810 chipset doesn’t bother us that much.
Still, the Smartisan T1 is an odd offering. The handset has several buttons located on both sides, which are to be used to configure the phone. For example, one can adjust the volume by pressing on one side or adjust the brightness by pressing the other. The device also allows you to configure it depending on whether you’re a righty or lefty.
Smartisan OS, for its part, brings a grid-style app launcher, custom app launcher, several shortcuts for the phone, the camera on the lock screen, support for several gesture-based actions, plus a bunch of custom apps.
And it appears that the phone might soon make it to US shores.
