Mozilla has shown off a prototype for a $25 (£15) smartphone that is aimed at the developing world.



The company, which is famed mostly for its Firefox browser, has partnered with Chinese low-cost chip maker Spreadtrum.



While not as powerful as more expensive models, the device will run apps and make use of mobile internet.



It would appeal to the sorts of people who currently buy cheap "feature" phones, analysts said.



Feature phones are highly popular in the developing world as a halfway point between "dumb" phones - just voice calls and other basic functions - and fully-fledged smartphones.



Mozilla hopes that it will capture an early lead in a market that is now being targeted by mobile device manufacturers who see the developing world as the remaining area for massive growth.



It will face stern competition from bigger, more established brands, however - with more announcements of this kind expected over the course of the next couple of days at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

 

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