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One of the original ideas behind Google’s Android One operating system (OS) was to make Android available to all. In an attempt to achieve this Google designed the OS with the intention to drive down the cost of smartphones in emerging markets. Due to this when One’s official launch happened on Monday we saw the release of smartphones from Micromax, Karbonn and Spice, and all revolved around the Google intended goal of a smartphone for $100. This was generally seen to be the cheapest an android device could realistically get. Well not anymore.
Meet the Intex Aqua T2. To cut a long story short the Aqua T2 costs a mere $44 and is about to hit the Indian smartphone market. OK, so it’s a cheap smartphone running on an old Android OS or maybe at best, Android One. Well here is the kicker. The Aqua T2 runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat). Yep, this is a KitKat running smartphone which costs less than $45. This has to be the cheapest KitKat running smartphones on the market. If it is not then it is difficult to see how an android 4.4 device could feasible be sold for any less. Of course, for a device to be sold this low you can’t expect a Snapdragon 801 processor or a 20 MP camera. Instead, the device is rather low end to say the least. The T2 offers a 3.5″ touchscreen (320 x 480 pixels), contains a 1.3 GHz MediaTek Dual-Core processor and 256 MB RAM. The device does have both front and rear cameras although again these are rather basic with the rear consisting of a 2 MP camera and the front shooter a 0.3MP camera. In terms of memory the T2 is also limited offering only 512 MB internal memory although the device does have a micro SD slot (up to 32 GB). It is also worth noting the T2 unfortunately does not run on 3G and instead works solely on 2G. However, the device is both Bluetooth and WiFi enabled.
It’s not all bad though. The device does offer dual-sim compatibility and as mentioned runs on Android KitKat. Interested? Well, unfortunately the device is only available in India with no indications that it will ever become available elsewhere. If you live in India and are interested than the T2 will be exclusively sold through Flipkart. The device will retail locally for RS 2,699 and will be available in two colors (black and grey). Whether interested or not it cannot be argued that $44 for a KitKat powered device is not a bargain.
