Archos might be a name that rings a bell.The company is well known for tablet and smartphones running Google's Android device, though Archos products did not take off as one would have expected. Despite the setbacks, the company is preparing two new smartphones for the 2014 International CES slated for January 7-10, 2014. These two smartphones seem to be more novel and affordable than the previous models.
The devices in question are the Archos 45 and 50 Helium. Both devices pack a Qualcomm MSM8926 1.4GHz quad core processor along with Android 4.3 upgradeable to Android 4.4.2. The Archos 45 Helium is the cheaper of the two and comes packed with a 4.5-inch 854x480 display while the Archos 50 Helium comes with a 5-inch screen with 1200x720 resolution. When it comes to internal memory the Archos 45 is sporting 4GB while the Archos 50 has double that amount. In addition, both devices will come with 1GB of RAM, which should be enough to run Android smoothly.
On the matter of pricing, the Archos 45 Helium will go for $199 and the Archos 50 Helium will go on sale for an additional $50. Both devices failed to undercut the Moto G; however, the price is justified since both handset are packed with a microSD card slot and 4G LTE. The Moto G is lacking those features, which might be disappointing for some smartphone users in the U.S.
CEO of Archos, Loïc Poirier, strongly believes his company will change the minds of consumers by creating the best possible smartphones the current technology allows.
"The smartphone has revolutionized the way consumers access information, giving them the ability to instantly view, connect and share ideas regardless of location and time," says Loïc Poirier. "The ARCHOS Helium 4G smartphones will once again change consumers' mindsets by making the best possible technology affordable."
Archos has a long way to go before it can go up against the likes of Motorola, Samsung or HTC, but if the company continues to release affordable smartphones with decent enough power under the hood, fortunes might just change for the better in the near future.
The new smartphones will be on display at 2014 International CES at Central Hall Booth #9844.
