Double-Sided Yotaphone 2 Launches In UK

Russian smartphone manufacturer Yota has unveiled the second generation of its dual-screen ‘always-on’ smartphone, boasting more powerful specifications and a high-definition screen.

The Yotaphone 2 has a 5 inch Full HD 1920 X 1080 pixel screen on the front, and a 4.7-inch e-paper, qHD (540 x 960 pixels) on the back. Powering the 145g device is a quad-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and an 2,500 mAh battery with wireless charging functionality.

The 4G-enabled smartphone, which runs Android 4.4 KitKat, also comes with an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash (which can be used to take high-res selfies thanks to the company’s special YotaMirror photo tool) and a front-facing 2 megpixel camera.

Power-saver

The company is keen to tout the merits of the ‘always-on’ display, which offers almost 180 degree viewing angles and excellent readability even in direct sunlight, making it easy to see and use any Android app while you’re outdoors.

It can also improve battery life, with the rear-screen offering up to five days of e-book reading from a single charge. When compared to the power-saving modes of other Android devices, the Yotaphone 2 can last up to three times longer based on usage that involves reading, messaging and calling, with reading on the rear display up to seven times more power efficient than on the front-facing AMOLED screen.

“We believe our technology constitutes an entirely new species of mobile device, not just by integrating a power efficient electronic paper display but by making two screens work in harmony,” said Yota CEO Vlad Martynov.

The device is now on sale for £555 in the UK and €700 elsewhere in Europe.

The first edition of the Yotaphone arrived in the UK in March, and only featured one touchscreen as opposed to both sides on this latest device. At the launch, the company announced an upgrade programme which allows those who purchased the first generation Yotaphone to get money off the new device.

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