I think this is worth writing about – it’s the first time I’ve seen anyone refer to ‘pocket money smartphones’ – but that’s exactly what Virgin Media are doing, together with new London-based smartphone brand, IMO (In My Opinion).
IMO is a new smartphone and mobile device brand from Verve Connect, an energetic UK company that integrates extensive local industry knowledge with vast Chinese engineering strength. Like rival brands, Kazam and Wiley Fox, the two new IMO handsets are aimed at the ‘value’ end of the market – enabling old and young alike to own a device that offers all of the functionality of more expensive brands without breaking the bank!
Here’s the official press release below:
Virgin Media has partnered with new London-based smartphone brand, IMO (In My Opinion) to release two smartphones and one mobile hotspot productin the UK. Virgin Media will be IMO’s exclusive network partner for launch.
The IMO Q and IMO S handsets will appeal to families, young people and smartphone late adopters, bringing outstanding Android phones into “pocket money” range. These new Android-powered handsets will be the latest addition to Virgin Media’s current mobile offering, providing customers with more affordable smartphone options. Virgin Media offers the UK’s most flexible Freestyle mobile tariffs, enabling its customers to move their tariff up or down each month to suit their needs.
Launching on September 5th, the smartphones will be available first from Virgin Media with prices starting from just £29.99 on prepay for the IMO Q, a 4” smartphone, with a 5 megapixel camera, and £8.50 per month on contract for the IMO S, with a 5” screen and running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Alongside the two handsets, the IMO Go, a mobile hotspot product, will also be available at £24.99 plus a monthly tariff.
Annie Brooks, Director of Mobile at Virgin Media, said “From our freestyle contracts to our Virgin WiFi app, we are always looking for new ways to give our customers the best deals possible. With IMO we’re bringing an exciting, fresh mobile brand into the UK and helping our customers to enjoy on-the-go connectivity, with quality smartphones at an affordable price.”
“Our objective is to offer the best value smartphones without any sacrifice in quality or functionality,” said Nigel Whitehead, IMO’s Head of Sales and Propositions. “IMO devices and features are all defined in the UK, with the specific aim of enabling young people to own a smartphone that won’t break the bank, or worry parents reluctant to give their children phones that can cost significantly more. In Virgin Media we have a network partner whose strong portfolio vision and focus on customer satisfaction mirrors our own”.
What’s more, Virgin Media and IMO’s parent company, Verve Connect, will be rewarding the customers who purchase IMO S at launch with a digital tastecard worth £79.99, entitling diners to 2 for 1 or 50% off menus at over 6,500 restaurants nationwide. Can’t be bad?!
