Skip to main content

Archos won’t wait for IFA, reveals new Android and Windows Phone hardware now

archos ifa 2014 smartphones news 50b platinum
Archos, in time-honored style, has sent out an early press release detailing its smartphone and tablet line-up all set to be revealed at this year’s IFA tech show. However, rather than be another Android-fest, Archos has a pair of devices running Google’s operating system, and for the first time, a pair running Microsoft’s OS too.

We’ll start with the Windows offerings. The first is a smartphone with Windows Phone 8.1 installed, and it’s the debut device of its type for the manufacturer. It’s not looking to compete with high-end hardware though, and is keeping both the spec and the price incredibly modest. It’s called the Archos 40 Cesium, and features a 4-inch touchscreen, a quad-core Snapdragon 200 chip, and a choice of colors.

Related: Everything we know about Windows Phone 8.1

Archos hasn’t told us much else, so the camera and screen resolution are a mystery. However, if the spec sheet matches the similar Android-based 40b Titanium, it’ll be 480 x 800 and 5 megapixels respectively. We do know how much it’ll cost though, and it’s just £80, or around $130, putting it in the Lumia 530’s lucrative territory. The other Windows device is the 80 Cesium Tablet, which runs Windows 8.1, shown on an 8-inch, 720p IPS display. Inside is a quad-core Intel processor, and the price is set at £130, or $215.

The Archos 50b Platinum is an Android smartphone with a large, 5-inch IPS screen and a quad-core processor, plus an 8-megapixel camera on the rear. Archos has been a little more forthcoming with the specs on this one, adding it has a 2-megapixel selfie cam, and dual-SIM support. Android 4.4 KitKat will be installed, and the package will include an 8GB MicroSD card and three different colored rear panels.

Finally, Archos has revealed the 101 Oxygen, a 10.1-inch, 1080p Android tablet with a quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. The 50b Platinum smartphone will cost £120/$200, while a slightly smaller 4.5-inch version will be sold for £100/$165, and the 101 Oxygen tablet has been priced at £200/$330. Archos will put both the Windows Phone and the Android smartphone on sale in September, while the tablets will be out in October.

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more