SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Amazon launches new smartphone in Europe

Amazon has launched its 'Fire' 3D smartphone in Germany and Britain, while cutting the price of the handset in the US.

Amazon's fire phone.
Amazon has launched its 'Fire' 3D smartphone in Germany and Britain. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated


Skip to article content

US online giant Amazon says it is selling its "Fire" 3D smartphone in Germany and Britain, and has cut the price of the handset for US customers.

Amazon released statements for its British and German websites for the handset, which was unveiled in June for US customers.

The price was cut from $US199 ($A215.31) to less than $US1 for US customers opting for a two-year contract with AT&T. Similar options will be available in Germany for one euro through Deutsche Telekom and in Britain for no upfront cost in partnership with the carrier O2.

Amazon also trimmed the cost of the smartphone without a contract to $US449, from $US649 at the launch.

No sales figures for the phone have been disclosed, but Amazon is facing a fiercely competitive environment and a pending launch of a new line of iPhones from Apple.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

In June, company founder Jeff Bezos unveiled the device, Amazon's first smartphone of its own, which has a 4.7-inch display, a high-definition camera and Amazon's free help service.

The phone also ties in to Amazon's vast array of other offerings, serving as a platform for digital content such as books, films and music and connecting users to the firm's cloud storage.

Another feature dubbed "Firefly" recognises things in the real world such as web and email addresses, phone numbers, bar codes, and millions of products, "and lets you take action in seconds" to buy a product or create a music playlist, for example.

As a financial inducement, consumers who buy the phone will get one year of "Amazon Prime", which includes free delivery of goods and access to digital offerings such as video and streaming music.

Analysts have given a mixed reaction, saying Amazon did not appear to offer a compelling reason to consumers to switch, but that its phone could appeal to loyal customers.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world