Skip to main content

Mozilla brings $25 Firefox smartphones to India and Indonesia

cheap firefox smartphones india indonesia mozilla spreadtrum  25 phone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mozilla is reaching out to billions of people in India and Indonesia who believe that smartphone technology is beyond their financial means. Mozilla will bring its open Firefox OS to these countries in the form of a $25 smartphone with a Spreadtrum processor onboard. The smartphone will be anything if not simple, but it will offer a selection of apps, web browsing, and most of the other core features typical of a mobile OS experience.

Indian companies Index and Spice will build the $25 smartphones and then sell them in the next few months. Executives from both companies expressed their excitement about the new Firefox phones in a statement published by Mozilla on Tuesday.

Recommended Videos

“Intex is excited to announce its association with Mozilla which will enable us to develop unparalleled smart devices on the latest Firefox OS platform,” said Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, the head of mobile for Intex Technologies.  “The platform will give us an edge in upgrading buyers from feature phones to smartphones while making it affordable for the mass market.”

Dilip Modi, the Co-Founder & CEO of Spice, agreed that Firefox OS would increase the average Indian’s access to smartphone technology.

“We have been the technology innovators in India’s telecom industry and are pleased to introduce Firefox OS in India through our smartphones to cater to the country’s masses. This partnership with Mozilla showcases our commitment to providing the best technological innovations first-hand to our customers,” he said, adding that “[t]hese phones will be affordably priced to ensure everyone can enjoy and experience the power of the Firefox OS phone.”

Although Firefox OS smartphones may not be as powerful as their low-cost Android competitors, their price point is hard to beat. In the United States, Firefox OS smartphones cost as little as $60. That number is being reduced by more than 50 percent in India and Indonesia, making the devices available to those who cannot afford to spend $100 on a low-cost Android smartphone, or more on a premium, high-end device like the iPhone os Samsung Galaxy lineup.

Firefox OS will allow these first-time smartphone users to browse the web and use a few of the web-based apps available on the OS. There may not be many apps available on Firefox OS, but for someone who’s never had a smartphone before, that may be just fine. Mozilla hopes to challenge Android in the low-end smartphone market by undercutting other manufacturers’ prices and advocating for an open mobile OS ecosystem. The company is also in talks with China about bringing Firefox OS devices to the Chinese people.

So far, Mozilla has launched several low-cost smartphones with Firefox OS onboard, including the $100 ZTE Open C. The company will release the Alcatel One Touch Fire E and the ZTE Open II this summer. These phones have had limited success in Europe and the United States, but Mozilla doesn’t seem to be discouraged. Perhaps emerging markets such as India, Indonesia, and China will be more accepting of Firefox OS smartphones.

Malarie Gokey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…
How to choose a smartphone by brand, carrier, or features
How to choose a cell phone

Choosing a smartphone for yourself or a loved one is no easy task. Smartphones are generally high-ticket but critically needed items, and there are ways to narrow down your choices so that you spend your money wisely for the most important features for you. Hundreds of available options can make your selection process overwhelming, especially if you're not clear on your priorities. We can help you narrow down your choices by analyzing all considerations you need to confidently choose the best phone. Below are the major questions you need to answer.

For an in-depth look at what the current smartphone market has to offer, see our guides to the best smartphones, best Android phones, and best cheap smartphones.
What's your price range?
First, determine how much you're willing to spend and how you want to spend it. If you're an Apple customer, you already know that iPhones tend to be more costly than Android phones. However, a cheaper iPhone SE (2020) for around $400 may be the ideal budget phone for the iOS platform. Samsung is another relatively high-priced brand with models across the price range. On the lower end of the price scale, you'll find brands like Nokia, Honor, and Motorola. You can save upfront costs with phones that are subsidized via a carrier that you can pay for in monthly installments over a year or two. While these financial arrangements won't save money in the long run, they will make a more expensive phone with more features more affordable. Have a look at our roundup of the best cheap phones to get an idea of what's out there. If you're really on a tight budget, you can still buy a smartphone for $100 or less.
What features do you need?

Read more
Quirky smartphone accessories you never knew you needed
Screen Magnifier for Smartphone

When you think of smartphone accessories, you probably picture cases, screen protectors, and even PopSockets. However, unknown to the average consumer are a number of quirky smartphone add-ons that may enhance your lifestyle more than you expect. From gaming controllers to projectors, we've rounded up the best quirky smartphone accessories you never knew you needed.
Dizaul Screen Magnifier

If you enjoy watching movies and shows on your phone, you may have noticed that the screen's a little small. That's not always a problem, but if you want to catch more details or share the experience with a friend, your options are limited. This beautiful screen magnifier has a built-in magnification screen to view your phone through. Find the right angle, and you can enjoy a superior experience for your shows, games, or video chats. The magnifier folds back down into a mat when not in use for easier storage, too!

Read more
Google partners with India’s largest telecom operator on a budget smartphone
Google Logo

Google has announced it’s investing nearly half of its new $10 billion India Digitization Fund ($4.5 billion) in the country's largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio -- with which it’s also jointly developing an “entry-level affordable smartphone".

The move strategically makes sense for Google that’s searching for its next billion users. Reliance Jio’s 4G-only network dominates more than a quarter of India’s mobile subscribers and today, at its annual shareholder virtual conference, the company even announced it’s building a 5G infrastructure.

Read more