Virgin Mobile just announced it will carry their first waterproof smartphone, the ZTE Reef. It is certified and rated to IPX7, which means it can withstand 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes, so bring on that poolside play, the Reef can handle it. Other specifications on this low-mid range phone include:
- 4″ Touch Display
- 1GHz Processor
- 1GB RAM
- 4GB ROM
- 5MP Camera with HD Video and Flash
- Connectivity has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
- 1650mAh Battery
- Swype Text Input
- Android Jelly Bean 4.1
- 5 x 2.55 x .44 Inches and 4.5 ounces
The Reef runs on Virgin Mobile’s 3G Network, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0. It will cost you $149.99 with no contract to sign, and if you qualify, you can use their “Bill Me Later” option. Virgin Mobile has several plans to choose from:
- $35/month for 300 anytime minutes and 2.5GB Data
- $45/month for 1200 anytime minutes and 2.5GB Data
- $55/month for Unlimited Minutes, Messaging, and Data 3G and 4G (where available)
- $15/month turns your device into a Mobile HotSpot
ZTE is a Chinese manufacturer and is the world’s fourth largest mobile phone manufacturer and fifth largest telecoms equipment manufacturer – Ericsson, Huawei, Samsung, Nokia Siemens, and ZTE – lofty company, to be sure. Most of their phone sales were limited to China and Asia, but they are now moving into the U.S. market.
Virgin Mobile needed a waterproof phone to keep up with the larger carriers and the ZTE Reef will fit quite nicely in their line of phones for the market niche for which they cater. It also allows ZTE to get another model of their phones into the U.S. as they seek to grow their business here. This year so far we have seen 16 different models, with AT&T, Sprint, and Cricket all selling the devices, and Sprint especially.
Let us know if you pack a ZTE phone, or if you are a Virgin Mobile customer about to make the splash into their with the new Reef.