The Firefox Flame by Alcatel is the latest generation Firefox OS developers smartphone. This device blows most of the other phones out of the water in terms of hardware specs and screen size. Firefox OS is really aimed at emerging markets, but the pricetag on this version is $170. Today, we take a first look at the Flame.
The Flame developer reference phone is a milestone in Firefox OS device releases. The Flame hardware offers a representative set of specs — including FWVGA display and dual-core processor — to help developers build great content and experiences. A single hardware platform is also good for testers, making it easier to test and address specific software issues without having to worry about device model-specific bugs, etc.
The Flame has a 4.3 inch display with an exact resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The Firefox 1.3 OS looks bright and vibrant, but the lack of resolution hinders HD videos and clarity.
Underneath the hood lurks a 1.2 Dual Core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory and support for MicroSD and two sim cards. It also has NFC, GPS, a 5 MP rear facing camera and 2 MP front facing camera.
This phone is not designed to be your primary phone, mainly because it only has support for 2G and 3G. The frequencies are GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz UMTS 850/900/1900/2100MHz.
The Firefox OS is hindered by the lack of quality apps. There are 2 e-reader apps total on the marketplace, and both require an SD card to read books. There is a LinkedIN Pulse app, but it actually doesn’t even work, it prompts you to install it for either Android or iOS. This is not a phone to read news, comics, newspapers or eBooks on, it simply doesn’t have any apps for it.
Earlier in the year when we reviewed the ZTE Open, there were only 3 Firefox OS phones currently available. Fast forward five months later and there are seven. Most of them have 3.5 inch screens, which is a bit on the small size. The Flame has the largest screen currently, which makes it viable to test apps and use it as a secondary device.
Today, we unbox the Flame for the first time and show you everything that comes inside. As an added bonus, we take a five minute first look, and show you the core functionality, the preinstalled apps and what you can expect in the first few days of owning one.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.