ZTE of China Unveils $40 Solar Cell Phone
Quite a few ecogeeks were excited when Samsung revealed its solar-powered cell phone, the Samsung Blue Earth.
However, many bemoaned the fact that the green technology was only coming packaged in a pricey smart phone. Well, for budget-minded environmentalists a solar-charged cell phone may be in store for you as well!
Chinese handset maker ZTE has unveiled the Coral-200, an economy handset featuring high-tech Dutch solar cells that provide 15 minutes of talk time for every hour of sunlight. The detail that makes this solar-powered phone really stand out is the wallet-friendly price of $40.00.
The new solar cell phone (mobile phone) may help to bring cell phone technology to areas off the power grid, like parts of Africa. Over 2 billion people around the world are off the power grid. ZTE of China has partnered with Digicel, a network provider which targets emerging markets, to help bring the mobile phone to these people. Digicel already offers other solar powered designs.
