The other day Telefónica, Mozilla and ZTE announced that they are releasing the first commercial phone based on Firefox OS. And at a sensationally low price of €69. We decided to reflect on why this is not an event.
In April, we wrote about the launch of online sales of developer versions of smartphones based on the Mozilla operating system from the Spanish Geeksphone. Then the first batch of phones (about 5 thousand devices) sold out in just a couple of hours. Such interest is understandable. Any new market for developers is always a potential “blue ocean”.
And on July 2, the launch of devices already ready for use by end users on Firefox OS took place. Only now the Chinese ZTE is acting as a vendor, offering users a ZTE Open – budget smartphone for €69. Moreover, the Spanish mobile operator and mobile distributor puts €30 of them on the buyer’s account.
It would seem that a bomb, including for the Russian market, where Megafon and VimpelCom will be engaged in the distribution of the device. However, here’s the thing.
When developing its mobile operating system, Mozilla from the very beginning said that it was aiming at the budget segment, which, they say, is difficult for Android. In their opinion, the Google platform requires at least 1 GB of RAM to function normally (at least the fourth version for sure), but 256 MB will be enough for devices on Firefox OS, which, in fact, is equipped with ZTE Open.
The full characteristics of the device are as follows:
- 3.5-inch screen, HVGA, TFT (last century, yes)
- Single-core processor from Qualcomm
- RAM – 256 MB
- 3.2 megapixel camera
- 1200 mAh battery
And so the release took place, and according to our colleagues from The Verge, the performance of this device is not much different from that shown by budget android smartphones. As a result, it turns out that one of the three main advantages of the system turned out to be imaginary.
The second stated advantage is full HTML5 support. All applications for the axis should be written exactly on this standard. According to the developers of the system, this should have made it as easy as possible not only to create, but also to port projects to Firefox OS. And it’s true.
But here we come back to the first, imaginary dignity. As we all know, the performance of complex HTML5 mobile applications leaves much to be desired. Now we do not undertake to claim that Mozilla has not solved this problem – we have not held its smartphones in our hands – but so far it is hard to believe (if you are aware, please respond, share your experience).
And here there is another close problem – a small number of applications. Even taking into account the brakes on a budget Android device – everyone can find something for themselves, interesting and not lagging. But, judging by what we saw in the Firefox Marketplace, there is nowhere to run.
The third strong point is the price. And she, surprise, is also imaginary.
When converted into rubles, ZTE Open costs about 3000 “wooden”. For a little less money, you can already buy more powerful and technically advanced Android devices today. Alcatel OneTouch 918D, for example, or the new MTS 970.
In the Chinese market, where the guys from Mozilla are also looking, there are even cheaper devices.
We sum up to the fact that in fact Firefox OS is not needed by the market in its current form. It slows down, there are no applications in its store, its devices are uncompetitive. So we advise you not to look towards this platform. Most likely, in a year no one will remember about it.
Photo: The Verge