Yota launches dual-screen smartphone in Russia

Russian mobile phone maker Yota Devices has launched its dual-screen smartphone in Moscow’s Gorky Park today, just in time for Christmas. The YotaPhone comprises both an LCD colour touch-screen using Google’s Android operating system and a black-and-white e-ink display on the back. The latter, which can be used for anything from maps to emails to reading, works like an e-reader and is designed to help conserve the phone’s battery life.

Speaking at the launch event today, Yota Devices CEO Vlad Martynov said: “Yotaphone combines a smartphone and e-reader into one device for those who enjoy reading on the go. You can save images and information on the second screen, and it stays there, even if you lose battery power.” The phone will be available in Russia, Austria, France, Spain and Germany this year and 15 others including the UK by mid-2014. It will go on sale in Russia for 19,990 roubles (€442) and €499 in Europe. The phone is a first for Yota Devices, which runs Russia’s 4G networks.

Source: The Telegraph