Now you can get a smartphone with Intel inside. The US chipmaker has partnered Lava to launch Xolo X900, the first smartphone with Intel inside. The device will be available for purchase beginning April 23 for Rs 22,000.

Lava has partnered with Croma, consumer electronics and durables retail chain, for promotion and sale of the XOLO X900. The phone is based on Intel's 1.6 Ghz Atom processor and features an 8-megapixel camera including burst mode that allows 10 pictures to be captured in under a second.

This pits Intel with other mobile chip makers, including Qualcomm, Samsung and Mediatek. While Intel has dominated the PC and laptop segment, its entry into the smartphone space has been delayed. But the company does not think its late given the potential growth in the smartphone segment.

Mr Mike Bell, Intel Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of the Mobile and Communications Group, said, “The boundaries of personal computing are expanding. As we enter the India market with our first smartphone from Lava, the device not only showcases the rich capabilities and user benefits of Intel computing, but also highlights the exciting possibilities of what's still to come.”

Pricing issue

But market watchers said that pricing could be an issue because smartphones from multinational handset makers Samsung and Nokia are available at lower price points.

The big question is whether consumers will buy an Indian brand phone for Rs 22,000 just because there's Intel inside.

Starting April 23, the phone will be available for purchase to customers from Croma and Xolo.in, followed by availability in other retail chains, general trade and online stores from early May.

>tkt@thehindu.co.in

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