Russia launches smartphone contender

e14news — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:38:59 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by e14news on 10/7/2021 9:38:59 AM
In news that may interest wireless communication device manufacturers and customers, Russia has launched the world's first ever smartphone which can pick up both GPS as well as its rival Russian satellite positioning system, Gionass.

The MTS Gionass 945 Android device is widely seen as an attempt to demonstrate Russia’s technological independence, the drum.co.uk reports.

However, a hefty £237 price tag and the using of an additional redundant positioning system has deterred many consumers.

Dmitry Khovansky, PR manager for Digital Centre ION, Russia's largest telecoms store, remarked: "You can't say it's a sort of a 'Russian iPhone', as some people have called it.

"And it's not just about the navigation - this particular model is simply not very popular."

Meanwhile, new research has revealed that 38 per cent of all smartphones in Britain now run Google Android, compared to 35.9 per cent in France and 35.5 per cent in Germany.

Android has significant market share in Japan and America, with 58.3 per cent and 54.7 per cent respectively.

Compiled for Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, the figures show that Android's market share was up nearly 30 per cent year-on-year, while Apple's was down 16 per cent.