Russian search engine Yandex has launched its own smartphone, the Yandex Phone, and the device is running Google’s Android OS in the form of Android 8.1. This move marks Yandex’s entry into the competitive smartphone market, aiming to provide a device tailored specifically for Russian users.
The handset comes with a 5.65 inch display that features a Full HD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels, ensuring a crisp and clear visual experience. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, which is known for its balance of performance and power efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from gaming to productivity.
Features and Specifications
The Yandex Phone is designed to integrate seamlessly with Yandex’s suite of services. According to Fedor Yezhov, Corporate Vice President of Ecosystem Products at Yandex, “Yandex.Phone is built to offer Russian users a smartphone equipped with all the localized tools needed for users to navigate their daily routines. Users can interact with Alice and the most widely used Yandex applications in a new way on this phone. Fully integrated into the phone, Alice provides users with comprehensive access to Yandex apps. It’s not necessary to open individual apps to solve a task – just ask Alice.” Alice, Yandex’s intelligent assistant, is deeply embedded into the phone’s ecosystem, allowing users to perform tasks and access information through voice commands, enhancing the user experience.
The Yandex Phone also comes with a 5 megapixel front camera, perfect for selfies and video calls. On the back, it features dual rear cameras: a 16 megapixel main camera and a 5 megapixel secondary camera. This dual-camera setup allows for advanced photography features such as portrait mode and improved low-light performance, catering to photography enthusiasts.
Market Position and Pricing
The handset is going on sale in Russia tomorrow for 17,990 rubles, which is about $270 at the current exchange rate. This pricing positions the Yandex Phone as a mid-range device, making it accessible to a broad audience. By offering a competitively priced smartphone with localized features, Yandex aims to capture a significant share of the Russian smartphone market.
In addition to its hardware and software features, the Yandex Phone is expected to benefit from Yandex’s extensive ecosystem of services, including Yandex.Maps, Yandex.Taxi, and Yandex.Music. These services are popular in Russia and their integration into the phone could provide a seamless and convenient user experience.
The launch of the Yandex Phone is a strategic move by Yandex to strengthen its ecosystem and increase user engagement. By providing a device that is optimized for its services, Yandex can offer a more cohesive and integrated experience compared to other Android devices. This could potentially lead to increased user loyalty and higher usage of Yandex’s services.
The Yandex Phone represents a significant step for Yandex as it ventures into the hardware market. With its localized features, competitive pricing, and integration with Yandex’s ecosystem, the Yandex Phone has the potential to become a popular choice among Russian consumers. As the smartphone market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Yandex’s entry impacts the landscape and whether it can carve out a niche for itself in this highly competitive industry.
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