Amazon Announces the Fire Phone

[nnacrumors]

There were a lot of idiots who also mocked & laughed at the the original iPhone, yet look at where it is now.

Most of those mocking the device simply lack the long-term vision to see where the fire could be in 4 - 5 years.

While I am very happy with my 5s and won't be buying the Amazon Fire, that doesn't mean I am naive enough to dismiss a first attempt as good as this.

 

[bnmcj1]

While I could say the same about iPhone, this phone is just disgusting. Everything is wrong with it. A big bezel buy-tempting-poor-built-bad-design machine.

 

[Savor]

Amazon knows how to be competitive with prices just like Google.

I think this first gen Fire Phone is to recoup some of the cost for R&D as that 3D UI is quite interesting and unique. What Amazon should do is offer this phone or its future models for FREE or a penny on Amazon with contract and its own subscription packages included. Expand to more carrier options eventually. And make the OS more open.

What Amazon next in the upcoming months is offer this Fire Phone for a penny with contract and offer Amazon Prime free for at least six months. Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, and Huawei will never break into the American industry even with unsubsidized prices of $200-$300 for unlocked phones. Google Nexus devices never did it. People in US usually need a contract. Their upgrade time is valuable to them. They can get another phone for a very low cost at front.

Unsubsidized phones with decent specs from other brands should go under $100 soon. And even with all that, these other companies still can't compete vs Apple/Samsung when it comes to marketing and celebrity endorsements. Not many people can even pronounce Huawei (wow-way) or Xiaomi (shao-me) correctly. The price war for 3rd place table scraps is tricky when most people just sell their old iPhone anyway and get the new for practically free upfront with just the monthly contract needing to be paid off.

I tried not having mobile data for a whole year when I was in Cali. It is quite useless as free Wi-Fi hotspots is not everywhere. I ended up going to public library to use the net. I'm rooting for Amazon actually and I think the phone looks pretty decent enough. But it will be a giant uphill battle vs the likes of Apple and Samsung when people prefer low-cost upfront subsidized prices and are used to mobile data plans. And this Fire Phone isn't that revolutionary enough for people to want to get stuck in Amazon's ecosystem when alot of people are stuck on Apple's.

 

[maflynn]

I'm unimpressed with the fit and finish and the phone overall. I think it may sell decently, mostly to those that are heavily invested in Amazon's services but I do wonder about its overall appeal to the general public, especially when there are so many other better looking phones out there that do what they're advertising for the most part.

Its not even cheaper then those phones, I don't understand the pricing model they're embracing. I'd much rather have an S5 or a Note 3 if I were to get an android phone and not that.

 

[Rodster]

I was also unimpressed with the entire package. This is nothing more than pimping certain features and a door stop to Amazon's website.

I actually thought they were going to partner with a cellphone provider(s) and offer a NO contract version of theirs to compete with Straight Talk, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Boost Mobile.

I'm done with contracts and have been since 2009 and will never go back.

 

[jamezr]

I'm unimpressed with the fit and finish and the phone overall. I think it may sell decently, mostly to those that are heavily invested in Amazon's services but I do wonder about its overall appeal to the general public, especially when there are so many other better looking phones out there that do what they're advertising for the most part.

Its not even cheaper then those phones, I don't understand the pricing model they're embracing. I'd much rather have an S5 or a Note 3 if I were to get an android phone and not that.

Totally agree....smartphones are a very crowded space right now. There are some great phones releasing in the next few months. To start a fire in this space you need either a great price or a feature/software that no one can live without. It looks like the Fire phone doesn't have either of those attributes....then it hinders sales by being exclusive to AT&T. Maybe AT&T was the only willing partner.....despite what T-Mobile is saying now......

 

[silentbob007]

I question whether the 4, front facing, infrared cameras for the 3D/eye-detection is really necessary. One decent front facing camera for video calls is enough for me.

I do like the fact that they have a rubber casing with protection in mind.

They claim you need at least two cameras for their perspective software to work, so the four are in case the way you are holding it blocks a couple.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Dynamic 3D perspective seems nice. Overall it's not a bad phone. I wouldn't pay no contract retail price for it though. 1 year free Prime is a decent incentive. I'm also not interested in having Fire OS on my phone, but there is definitely a market for it. IMO, they would have been smarter to make it a 5 inch or above screen size.

It's hard to tell how well this is going to sell.

 

[AppleRobert]

I understand the talk about the UI but the Kindle Fire I purchased I just put another launcher on it day 1.

The drawback is no access to Google Play Store for apps without root. I understand that would not happen as they are competitors and I did get by with their own appstore and other free apk downloads elsewhere.

But this is Prime directed. I am sure fans of Amazon will consider this phone to some extent.

 

[mattopotamus]

If anyone decides you buy the phone directly from amazon contract free, it is still locked to AT&T. You would need to contact AT&T to receive an unlock. I do not know if there are any rules associated with getting an unlock code for a phone that is exclusive to a participial carrier.

I know if a phone is paid for or you cancel service they are required to unlock your phone, but is the rule different for a phone they have a contract for?

 

[Tarzanman]

The phone has middling specs, a high end price and doesn't really offer any usability advances that I would find useful.

The 3d tracking is interesting, but is probably a few generations from being a useful augmentation to the user interface. The fact that it is divorced from the google play ecosystem is a massive disadvantage for it.

It is basically a Moto X with 2 or 3 custom apps that won't get fast OS updates.

I'm not sure who their target demographic is (dummies who use AT&T?).... but this phone is probably going to take a long time to get traction with users in a very saturated market.

 

[aneftp]

I pay attention to MSRP very closely.

There will be very little people who will pay $199 on 2 year contract for this phone.

There will be even less who will pay $650 for this phone full price. Amazon must start to capture market share in order to demand this type of premium pricing

When Nokia entered the Windows Lumia market on ATT, they had the Lumia 900 that MSRP for $99 on 2 year contract/$450 MSRP

Even when Samsung was trying to gain traction in 2012 with all the USA carriers having the same Galaxy S3. The Galaxy S3 MSRP was $549 at ATT full price.

http://www.androidcentral.com/att-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-now-available-pre-order-shipping-june-18

Remember the Galaxy S and S2 models in the USA were a mess because each carrier had a slightly different design. Only starting with the S3 did USA finally have one model.

Once Samsung was able to capture market share, they increased the MSRP of the S4 to $629. Now they increase the S5 MSRP to what Apple commands, $649.

So Amazon has a huge uphill battle trying to sell this thing at $199/contract and $650 off contract.

I do think Amazon has a backup plan. If they lower the price due to poor sales, they will make it up to current Fire Phone owners by giving them $100 Amazon credit. I firmly believe this will be Amazon's backup plan if they decide they have to reduce the price.

Remember when Apple gave customers $100 Apple credit when the original iPhone was lowered from $599 to $399. Apple gave people (including me) $100 credit.

That will be Amazon's backup plan.

 

[VFC]

Does anyone know if the Fire Phone will allow me to DL and install my existing Google apps? I have too much invested in Google Play Store to switch over to another ecosystem.

Now I did recently purchase the Fire TV and received a free year of Prime (main reason I bought it). So the free year of Prime for the Fire Phone would only be a benefit to me if it tacked onto my existing free year. I have only played with the Fire TV a few times. It came pre-configured with my Amazon account ID; I did not see any way to switch over to my Google Account to access all my apps.

 

[rhinosrcool]

So Amazon has a huge uphill battle trying to sell this thing at $199/contract and $650 off contract.

I do think Amazon has a backup plan. If they lower the price due to poor sales, they will make it up to current Fire Phone owners by giving them $100 Amazon credit. I firmly believe this will be Amazon's backup plan if they decide they have to reduce the price.

Remember when Apple gave customers $100 Apple credit when the original iPhone was lowered from $599 to $399. Apple gave people (including me) $100 credit.

That will be Amazon's backup plan.

This thing isn't close to say my Note 3 (at least, from what I know now). However, it is close in price. Same with several other flagships. It's going to need bigger discounts.

Also, one of Android's best features is its customizability. Amazon's Fire OS, which vastly improved from the original Fire's OS, is the antithesis of this. As one who is an Amazon Prime member, I still have no interest in this. Too closed.

Perhaps, the sales estimates are not in line with other flagships and a modest total is enough to get the ball rolling for future improved versions? amazon is not too open about sales figures (they may even lump these in with Kindle sales?)

But, like I wrote in an above post, wait a month or two and get a much better deal.

 

[12vElectronics]

No matter how you look at it, competition is a good thing.

This.

 

[Stuntman06]

They claim you need at least two cameras for their perspective software to work, so the four are in case the way you are holding it blocks a couple.

I'm aware of the reason for having 4 cameras. It's just that this perspective software + hardware seems to be overkill for me. I guess they need a gimmick to get people interested. I just don't see why I can't do without the perspective feature. It's one thing if it is software, but this requires some rather specialised hardware. I'm thinking that I would rather just not have this feature and pay less for the phone if I wanted to get one.

 

[SpoonCody]

To me the most exciting thing about all of this is the tangle-free earbuds, which Amazon has said they'll sale separately for $25.

 

[bmac4]

Amazon Announces the Fire Phone

I pay attention to MSRP very closely.



There will be very little people who will pay $199 on 2 year contract for this phone.



There will be even less who will pay $650 for this phone full price. Amazon must start to capture market share in order to demand this type of premium pricing



When Nokia entered the Windows Lumia market on ATT, they had the Lumia 900 that MSRP for $99 on 2 year contract/$450 MSRP



Even when Samsung was trying to gain traction in 2012 with all the USA carriers having the same Galaxy S3. The Galaxy S3 MSRP was $549 at ATT full price.



http://www.androidcentral.com/att-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-now-available-pre-order-shipping-june-18



Remember the Galaxy S and S2 models in the USA were a mess because each carrier had a slightly different design. Only starting with the S3 did USA finally have one model.



Once Samsung was able to capture market share, they increased the MSRP of the S4 to $629. Now they increase the S5 MSRP to what Apple commands, $649.



So Amazon has a huge uphill battle trying to sell this thing at $199/contract and $650 off contract.



I do think Amazon has a backup plan. If they lower the price due to poor sales, they will make it up to current Fire Phone owners by giving them $100 Amazon credit. I firmly believe this will be Amazon's backup plan if they decide they have to reduce the price.



Remember when Apple gave customers $100 Apple credit when the original iPhone was lowered from $599 to $399. Apple gave people (including me) $100 credit.



That will be Amazon's backup plan.

I agree with you. The entry into the smartphone market is very hard. First you have come with great device (which the Fire phone is up for debate), and second you have to come with a reasonable price (which the Fire phone does not have at all). To compete with the big boys being an unknown you have to come with a very competitive price. Amazon has already missed on this. $650 for a smartphone no one knows anything about is crazy. On top of that who wants to be locked into a 2 year contract at $199 with a phone that is so unknown?

This being Amazons first phone. You have to at least give people am incentive to try the phone. $650 is not that at all. You may have an awesome website, and some really good electronic reading devices. But asking a premium price for a smartphone is just too much. The reason their Fire tablets are popular is because of the price. The have priced themselves out of consideration for most.

I will disagree about the backup plan though. You may be right that they have one, but $100 off the current price will not cut it. They need to be in the ballpark of the Nexus 5, and One Plus One. Apple and Samsung just have to much of the market to break in without a price advantage.

 

[TechGod]

True dat. The last 15 months have been astounding for android and android devices.

Apple, your move.

Lol. This is funny.

iOS 8 was the cake, the iPhone 6? The icing.

I think the next iPhone will actually be amazing since I haven't been happy with the past two announcements but iOS 8 sure as hell made me happy.

 

[Savor]

Amazon got into the hardware industry way too late. Their Kindles made sense since their roots is with e-books. And their transition to tablets was easier coming from e-book readers. But the smartphone industry? Way too late and way too competitive. Bored tech writers and bloggers will write stuff about the new Fire Phone before forgetting about it completely like what happened to the Nexus 5, HTC One (M8), and OnePlus One. Just something to write about until the next iPhone or Galaxy S/Note that sell units in eight figures.

Had Amazon got into selling their own tangible products years ago, they would potentially have a better ecosystem as their online store sells more than just multimedia files and apps. But iTunes have been selling music for over a decade now. And both App Store and Play Store have been around for SIX years which makes both well-established online app stores in the mobile market which doesn't need a third wheel. A highly modified Android OS is a walking contradiction when most Android users want freedom. Not a closed ecosystem. If they want that, they just get iOS or WP with an Amazon app and whatever comparable services.

I like Bezos but I do find him trying to seek attention too much and acts like some Steve Jobs wannabe with his presentations and Apple blueprint. He doesn't have the vision or charisma like SJ. Bezos isn't like Jobs and Amazon isn't like Apple which can be both a good and bad thing. Amazon waited too long with the hardware products while their ecosystem potential is probably greater than Apple's or Google's. They should have got into the mobile industry as early as 2003 and no later than 2008. Early bird catches the worm as they say with Apple and Google getting there much earlier than Amazon.

 

[Scarpad]

Well the one thing I have learned from the Fire Phone demo is that maybe 4.7 inches is big enough for me when I get the Iphone 6, I was going to get the 5.5, but I think the 4.7 hits the comfort zone for me, larger than the existing 5s but not as big as some of the larger phones out there.

 

[0dev]

Would I be right in saying this thing is only hitting the US? Doesn't seem to feature on the Amazon UK site at all and all I've read about it is that it's only coming to AT&T.

 

[Resist]

Could this be an iPhone 6 killer? I'm thinking about not upgrading to an iPhone 6 when it comes out if it doesn't have a larger screen, and wider not just taller like they did with the iPhone 5.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Amazon already lost cause Samsung will probably throw out several phones that also have dynamic perspective with 9 front facing cameras within the next month.

 

[stroked]

There were a lot of idiots who also mocked & laughed at the the original iPhone, yet look at where it is now.

Most of those mocking the device simply lack the long-term vision to see where the fire could be in 4 - 5 years.

While I am very happy with my 5s and won't be buying the Amazon Fire, that doesn't mean I am naive enough to dismiss a first attempt as good as this.

Why compare it to the first iPhone? IOS was new back then, android has been around for a while. Amazon could have come out with a good phone from the start.