Related Articles
Yota Devices
The YotaPhone 2, a device that has yet to hit store shelves in the US, is now available on Indiegogo.
The YotaPhone 2, one of the more interesting smartphones on the market, comes with a standard LCD display on the front and an e-ink screen on the back. The e-ink display is designed for reading e-books, while the LCD screen is for standard smartphone fare, like searching the Web and reading email. The handset runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 processor and comes in both black and white versions.
Yota Device’s decision to use crowdfunding site Indiegogo to pave its path to North America is an interesting one. YotaPhone 2 has been available in other markets, including its home country of Russia, but has yet to make its way to the States. In a statement on the Indiegogo page, Yota Devices said that the $50,000 funding goal will be used to offset some of the fees associated with bringing a new device to the US, like regulatory charges.
So far, the effort is working out: Yota has raised more than $70,000 in just a few hours, exceeding its goal and leaving 61 more days to attract even more early adopters.
When customers head over to Indiegogo , they’ll have the option of choosing to buy one or two YotaPhone 2 handsets. A special 48-hour sale offers customers the option to buy YotaPhone 2 for $525 — a $75 discount off the standard $600 price. The offer also include a free case. The devices will ship to customers in August.
Yota is also selling a $50 wireless charger and those who want two YotaPhone 2 handsets will need to ante up $1,050. An early bird special offering the device for $500 has sold out.
In December, the CNET Reviews team tested the YotaPhone 2 and gave it three stars out of five. While the device’s second screen was called “wonderfully novel,” CNET’s Andrew Hoyle said that the device is too expensive for customers looking for a high-end device.
Yota Devices has not said exactly when the handset will launch for those who don’t want to buy the YotaPhone 2 through Indiegogo. On its website, the company said only that it’ll be available in North America this summer.
Yota Devices did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
