Intel Introduces the Safaricom Yolo Based On Z2420 Lexington Smartphone Platform
by Brian Klug on January 24, 2013 10:48 PM EST
At CES I took a look at Intel's newly announced Lexington platform FFRD (Form Factor Reference Design) which is an entry-level smartphone design aimed at emerging markets and uses a lower clocked 1.2 GHz Z2420 SoC, dual-SIM supporting XMM6265, and smaller 3.5-inch HVGA display. I came away decently impressed with the Lexington platform when you consider the broader context of the entry level market which it was designed to compete in. Later that week on the AnandTech podcast I joked about Intel naming a part with Y in it the Yolo, amazingly enough, today Intel announced the availability and launch of their first Lexington smartphone platform device win with the Yolo smartphone in partnership with African carrier Safaricom. Intel seems to have adopted a rather interesting naming scheme here, since we had the Lava Xolo, now the Safaricom Yolo, I guess that means Zolo is next?
This is essentially the Lexington FFRD but in final form for the market it was intended. Many of the Lexington's design features were catered to entry level design, with things like ease of manufacture, somewhat rugged construction, and other features at heart. Reviews website Techweez got a copy of the Yolo in for review and from their report it looks like the Yolo is identical to the Lexington FFRD.
The Lexington FFRD popping up in the African market for 11,000 Kenyan Shillings ($126 USD) isn't entirely unexpected, as this is exactly the kind of place that a performant, properly priced device could disrupt some of the very under specced entry level Android phones.
17 Comments
View All Comments
Communism - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
I'm confused about the use of HVGA (480 x 320) .I would imagine the phone would be good for all markets if it were WVGA (800 x 480).
It sounds way too powerful of a device for HVGA to properly make much use of. Reply
Brian Klug - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
Well, the Lexington platform is just designed for HVGA. Might be overkill to have that SoC inside, but it also makes the device pretty speedy. The display is that resolution just for cost reasons. If you want WVGA or qHD there's always the Medfield platform.-Brian Reply
Shadowmaster625 - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
lol what does it cost, an extra 6 bucks for 800x480? ReplyFlunk - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
No. ReplyKrysto - Monday, January 28, 2013 - link
It's not:http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/8/3850734/intels-at...
Also this chip is not even close to being competitive with the quad-core Cortex A7 chips from Qualcomm and Mediatek that also come with much MUCH more powerful GPU's, like Adreno 305 (Adreno 225 performance, OpenGL ES 3.0) and a powerful PowerVR554, respectively.
In Africa there already are $50 ARM-based phones with these kind of specs anyway. Intel fails again, to even match the ARM competition, let alone beat it. Reply
tabascosauz - Thursday, January 31, 2013 - link
Since when did adreno 305 perform better than 225?You are out of your mind buddy.
No phones carry the sgx554 at the moment. Reply
saiki4116 - Wednesday, February 06, 2013 - link
If the processor can shoot 1080P and render 1080P..it can definitely push a wVGA without any sweating..All most all indian manufactures are offering WVGA display and dual core mediatek processors for same or less price Intel is set for these phone Replymfenn - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
Somebody at Intel must be giggling pretty hard that they actually got the brass to approve the name "Yolo". I suppose it does have kind of a self-referential flair to it.YOLO, AMIRITE???? Reply
nafhan - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
It sounds like a device for giving your friends jungle animal lower back tattoos. ReplyFlunk - Friday, January 25, 2013 - link
Sounds sweet!Too bad I don't need one, all my friends already have jungle animal lower back tattoos. Reply