To stand out against the competition, Cricket Wireless is launching a new LTE smartphone that's competitively priced at just $150.
Not too long ago, Cricket Wireless, a prepaid wireless service provider owned by AT&T, teamed up with LG to launch the LG Spree, a dirt-cheap, entry-level smartphone. The carrier is now expanding its budget portfolio even further, this time adding the Galaxy Amp Prime to its lineup.
Unlike your usual flagship, the low-cost device won't be fronting store shops anytime soon, but it is targeted towards price-conscious customers or those looking for a handy secondary phone. But despite the cheap price, Cricket claims that it's a phone that offers "premium" features for an "affordable price."
By the numbers, the Galaxy Amp Prime is a 4G LTE-equipped handset sporting a 5-inch AMOLED screen, a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera, and it even runs the latest version of Google's mobile OS, Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
As with devices of this type, there are some gimmicky add-on features. One of these, for example, allows customers to use a hand gesture to take both selfies and "groupies." There's no need to reach for a button to activate the shutter, but exactly what hand gesture needs to be performed isn't mentioned either.
One of the clearer signals that the Galaxy Amp Prime is indeed meant as a first phone for someone just getting into smartphones is the device's "Easy Mode" for beginners and the elderly. In Easy Mode, the handset's user interface allows for a simpler layout and a larger font size.
Nonetheless, Cricket says the Galaxy Amp Prime was "created for social media power users and value seekers." Those so-called "power users" will appreciate the unit's Ultra Power Savings Mode. Cricket claims the phone can hack out an extra day in standby mode on just 10 percent charge. Note, however, using social media in that mode will most likely lessen the Amp Prime's standby time.
With just a 5-inch display, the device won't require two-handed use by adults, but younger kids using the handset as their first phone might find one-handed use a bit more difficult. Samsung has thought of that too and offers one-handed operation of the Amp Prime.
The Galaxy Amp Prime can be purchased at any of the 3,800 Cricket stores nationwide. The handset can also be bought online on Cricket's website.
