Lava Mobiles joins the Windows Phone 8.1 fray with the 'Iris Win1'

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Yes, it's another very low end Windows Phone 8.1 device based on the usual reference design, but it all helps in terms of numbers, this time in India, with the well known Indian manufacturer Lava Mobiles announcing the 'Iris Win1'. There are distinctly no frills or USPs, and we're unlikely to see the device in Europe, of course. Details below, in as far as they're known.

Lava Iris WIn1

From the Lava Mobiles press release:

The Lava Iris Win1 will be exclusively available via Flipkart starting Thursday. It will come bundled with a free flip cover and a screen guard. Commenting on the launch of Iris Win1, Navin Chawla, Vice President and Head-Product, Lava International Limited said, "We are pleased to add Iris Win1 - Windows powered device in our smartphone portfolio for consumers who are looking for Windows platform. Win1 will be exclusively launched on Flipkart. Our strong product offering coupled with Flipkart's exceptional service, we are hopeful to delight our online customers."

Rajiv Ahlawat, Director, Mobility, Microsoft India said, "Our deep engagement with local OEMs is one of the engines of growth for Windows Phone and we are proud of our partnership with Lava. With the Iris Win1, Windows Phone is now available to a whole new group of consumers in India, who are looking for innovation and value."

Specifications include:

  • Battery capacity 1950mAh, removeable
  • Display 4", 480x800
  • Processor 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200
  • RAM 1GB
  • Storage 8GB plus microSD
  • Rear camera 5MP, LED flash, Front camera 0.3-megapixel
  • Dual SIM, Quad band 3G (SIM1), Quad band GSM (both SIMs)
  • Sensors: Compass, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope

Not much else is known about the Win1 as yet. The use of permanent, capacitive controls rather than virtual controls is interesting, but probably makes sense given the smallish screen size and limited resolution.

The launch price is RS5000, which is around £50 at current exchange rates. So this is a Lumia 530 competitor, if anything.

What will be interesting is when the Q4 2014 mobile OS marketshare figures come out  - what worldwide impact will the recent influx of new Windows Phone OEMs have?