Archos has announced the Archos 50 Cesium, which may be the first smartphone to run Windows 10 Mobile straight out of the box. Archos mostly manufactures budget smartphones, and is expected to showcase the new phone at IFA 2015. The smartphone is priced at GBP 99 (approx. Rs. 10,300). According to its press release, Archos is planning to launch both the phones in November this year.
As expected of a phone in this price range, the Archos 50 Cesium comes with modest specifications. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 quad-core processor clocked at 1.1GHz, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage expandable up to 32GB, and a 2100mAh battery. The phone also comes with an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera along with a 5-inch 720p display. The phone will also have 4G LTE support and dual SIM capabilities. Along with the 50 Cesium, Archos also launched the 50e Helium, that runs on Android 5.1. Aside from the difference in the operating platforms, the two devices are more or less identical.
Archos CEO, Loic Poirier, said, “By providing a choice between two almost identical hardware models, we allow the customer to focus on what they like on the inside: the user interface. Android and Windows are both fantastic and provide varied software experiences.” However, Archos could possibly be beaten by Microsoft in the race to launch the first smartphone to come preinstalled with Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft is planning a grand event in October and they are expected to announce two new flagship Lumia devices, along with the Surface 4 and the Band 2. As of now, however, there is no confirmed word regarding these launches.
There is also no word of a possible India launch for the Archos 50 Cesium or the 50e Helium. If it does, it may present an alternative to Windows Phone users in the country who are looking to get their hands on the latest version of the OS. However, at the expected price, it will have to compete with the Lumia 640 or the Lumia 640 XL, both of which are guaranteed to be upgraded to Windows 10.
Source: Archos