HTC Explorer (Pico) : HTC’s cheapest Android phone comes to India

HTC has chosen New Delhi, India for its global launch of HTC Explorer (Pico). HTC Explorer is expected to be a budget phone which is priced in the vicinity of Rs. 10000. India will also be the first market to get HTC Explorer. Now this is a welcome move and all the more appropriate because of Indian consumer keenness on value for money phones. Remember, value for money phones and not cheap phones. I hope HTC Explorer is a value for money phone.

What we know so far?

HTC Explorer is powered by a 600 MHz processor, 5 megapixel camera, 384 MB RAM, Gingerbread OS, 3.2 inch HVGA screen with 320×480 resolutions.

HTC is running a contest on Facebook to pick the audience for its Sept 29 event.

HTC’s Cheapest Android phone

The 10K price tag, if true, will place HTC Explorer in very good and competitive company. HTC has so far released 13 Android phones in India and only 4 of them are priced in the 10K-15K range. HTC WildFire, HTC Tattoo, HTC WildFire S and HTC ChaCha.

HTC Explorer could be a member of the HTC Wildfire S family as there are no obvious differences in the hardware specifications. Leaving HTC’s own stable and looking outside, two recently launched phones LG Optimus Pro and Motorola Fire come to my mind. These 2 phones are in the 8K-10K price range and share similar specifications to HTC Explorer.

As per an IDC report, smartphones with Average Sale value of Rs. 18000 were hot in Q2 2011. With these new 10K range phones, the Q3 2011 report would be interesting.

Why do you think HTC is launching a budget phone? Is it the Micromax effect?

Via BGR