Mozilla hopes to pave the way for Firefox OS-powered smartphones

In addition to announcing new Firefox OS devices from partners including ZTE and Alcatel OneTouch, Mozilla is introducing new reference designs for phones and tablets. The new Firefox OS Flame reference design is for a 4.5 inch phone with a dual-core processor. Mozilla is introducing reference designs for 7 and 10 inch tablets and developers can apply to receive a reference tablet for testing before they’re available to the public.

While Apple is focused on spreading premium-prices smartphones across the globe, browser maker Mozilla has its sights aimed squarely on the low-cost smartphone market and has announced a deal for a chipset which it said will pave the way for $25 smartphones. Mozilla announced at Mobile World Congress that it is partnering with Shanghai-based fabless semiconductor company Spreadtrum to come up with reference designs of the low-cost Firefox OS-powered smartphones. Spreadtrum has announced WCDMA and EDGE turnkey reference designs for Firefox OS as well as the industry’s first chipset for US$25 smartphones, the SC6821, that redefines the entry level for smartphones in key growth markets.