Before the close of this year, telecoms corporation KDDI will be marking the 15th anniversary of the original INFOBAR feature phone in Japan by releasing a new edition of the device to celebrate. The INFOBAR xv is the third in this series, and comes as the most outstanding of the gang. And one of the most interesting thing about the device is that will be running a few Android apps on it, yet it’s a feature phone.

INFOBAR xv.

The INFOBAR xv, which is the successor of the INFOBAR 2 launched in December 2007, comes as a result of KDDI’s au Design project, whose objective is to bring fan-friendly concepts to fruition.

Left to right The original INFOBAR the INFOBAR xv and the INFOBAR 2
Left to right: The original INFOBAR, the INFOBAR xv, and the INFOBAR 2

The company latest design sports a 3.1″ WVGA LCD display with a black bezel, but the sleek, curved body of the phone itself is frameless. It still retains the physical keys and colorful pattern. What a beauty?

INFOBAR xv

The INFOBAR xv, will be released around October and only in Japan. The feature phone will have some sort of slimmed-down Android compatibility, with support for two messaging apps: the popular LINE and “+ message” (supported by three carriers in the country). However, the phone won’t have access to the Play Store.

Key Specs Of INFOBAR xv

  • Network Properties: 2G, 3G and LTE
  • Display: About 3.1 inch TFT / WVGA
  • Dimension: 48mm x 138mm x 14mm
  • Weight: To be determined
  • Rear Camera: Approx. 8 million pixels / CMOS
  • External memory: microSDHC (TM) / (up to 32 GB)
  • Messaging: + Message / SMS (C Mail)
  • WLAN: Yes
  • Hotspot: Yes
  • Battery capacity: 1,500 mAh
  • Colours: classic Nishikigoi, Nasukon (eggplant), and Cherry Berry.
  • Others: Smart voice assistant calling function (similar to Google Assistance)
  • Availability: October
  • Price: To be Announced

Feature phones may be out of fashion in many markets, but there’s still a hint of innovation and interest here. Some weeks ago, Google devoted about $22 million in KaiOS, an operating system for feature phones, including the nostalgia-inducing Nokia 8810 4G. Perhaps, this is going to be a bridge to build between dumber and smarter phones.

 

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