Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro
We'll be totally honest -- we pretty much blew Ruslan Kogan off when he proclaimed that he was about to push out a $199 Android phone by the year's end. And truthfully, the guy still hasn't totally delivered, but you won't find us kvetching about more Googlephones, regardless of MSRP. The Agora (AU$299; US$192) and Agora Pro (AU$399; US$256) are available for pre-order as we speak, though neither one is scheduled to ship out until the end of January. For those unfamiliar with Kogan, it's an online-only enterprise that has wares built specifically to its dimensions in China, and so far as we can tell, it's as legit as they come. As for specs, the Agora packs a 2.5-inch touchscreen (320 x 240), 3G networking, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot; the Pro adds in GPS, 2-megapixel camera and WiFi. So, with unsubsidized prices this low, are you willing to take a chance?
[Via iTWire]
[Via iTWire]
























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:51PM
Will this work on Verizon's US network? If so, sign me up!
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Dec 4th 2008 12:08AM
im guessing it's GSM, so if it is then the answer would be no, it wont work with Verizon. dont worry, im weeping with you, i too have Verizon.
squiggleslash @ Dec 4th 2008 8:53AM
Unless Verizon implements a skeleton GSM network as part of the LTE build-out, the chances are this phone will not work on Verizon. Verizon, Sprint, and the other cdmaOne/CDMA2000 operators, are a poor choice if you want to be on the cutting edge of mobile phones, due to its essentially closed nature and the relatively poor take up outside of the US.
RCC2k8 @ Dec 4th 2008 1:13AM
That looks like a fake mockup device. If it is real, the keyboard sucks. Where's the Shift/Caps key? There seems to be either a Backspace or Enter key on the keyboard but not both. And no Fn or Symbol keys! I have a hard time believing this is real and that it'll be a usable device with such a constrained keyboard.
T Hom @ Dec 4th 2008 1:37AM
I'm happy that Engadget has decided to be honest, but I really did not need to know that they blew off a guy. Slow down there Engadget...
ZSX @ Dec 4th 2008 2:53AM
I wonder who the ODM for this is. TechFaith? It looks a lot like their Ubiquio 501/503s from a couple of years ago.
plh2034 @ Dec 4th 2008 5:13AM
1. Never heard of Kogan.
2. Will T-mobile insure it?
3. What do i do when it breaks down?
4. Specs too low.
5. These Android phones just keep getting uglier
ben @ Jan 13th 2009 8:10AM
personally i think the specs are pretty good...
christexaport @ Dec 4th 2008 7:11AM
I'm embarrassed you guys don't know about Kogan. He's a young internet mogul that turned his Ebay store into hundreds of millions of dollars. He's internationally known for announcing electronic specs for, say, a 42" LCD flat panel. He would get so many preorders, order the electronics from China, etc., and have an ODM manufacture the product. He passes his wholesale savings on to his customers, selling high grade electronics at extremely low costs since he has little overhead. I'm trying to get a project going with him myself to create one of my designs. He's the real deal. If you're from the UK, Austrailia, or a web head like me, you know he's probably the next Michael Dell...
eloy @ Dec 4th 2008 8:03AM
how about the koolu freerunner that is comming to Brazil? it´s made by maddog hall and will come androided. ugly as hell!
Eloy @ Dec 4th 2008 8:05AM
ops, the koolu freerunner at: http://celularcafe.com.br/index.php/20081204151/Noticias/Empresa-quer-trazer-celular-com-Android-no-ano-que-vem.html
dillmac @ Dec 4th 2008 10:37AM
for 200 bucks? yeah id try it out...considering my blackberry curve is constantly screwing up on me and t-mobile only gives the $180 discount to new customers for the g1
Joe @ Dec 4th 2008 1:13PM
now THIS is an android phone! The G1 Sucks. It reminds me of the Nokia E61, with a much better UI, faster processor, WiFi and 3G! I am already debating on pre-ording one. Does anyone know if it will include AWS1700?
SteveT @ Dec 5th 2008 2:40PM
Yes I would. What bands does it use?
Alfredo @ Dec 8th 2008 10:14AM
it is an excellent phone that should be carried by t-mo, selling a touchscreen phone for 00.00 dollars with contract would be nice. Or maybe for prepaid carriers, like metro, leap virgin mobile could order those phones on cdma flavors and sel smart phones at 200 dollars or less. this phone is not going for the techie guys , or fashion guys.
DIM! @ Dec 12th 2008 10:17AM
It looks like my Samsung i780 (blackjack) and that is a good thing
Carney @ Dec 19th 2008 10:59AM
The digital and analog clocks don't match. Oops.