EE launches two affordable branded smartphones with 4G and Wi-Fi calling
The new Harrier smartphone is the highlight of the announcement, sporting a 5.2-inch Full HD display with a 13MP shooter, 8-core processor, 4G LTE support, Wi-Fi calling on EE and a 2,500mAh battery. It's pretty thin too, measuring in at just 8.9mm. EE will offer the Harrier (pictured above alongside the Harrier Mini) on Pay As You Go for £199.99 and for free on contracts from £21.99 per month.
EE also has the Harrier Mini for those who find a 5-inch display to be just too big. This slightly less powerful devices has a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 4.7-inch HD display and a 8MP camera. Again, the Harrier Mini will take full advantage of the expansive 4GEE network, as well as Wi-Fi calling for those times when you simply cannot get a signal. The Harrier Mini will be available for £99.99 on PAYG, as well as contract plans from £16.99 per month.
As well as the two new own-branded handsets, the UK mobile operator also unveiled the Osprey 2 and Osprey 2 Mini. These new 4G mobile internet hotspots allow up to 10 devices to connect simultaneously to enjoy fast download seeds on the EE network. The Osprey is the advanced option with a massive 5,150mAh battery, which also acts as a portable power back for charging smartphones.
The Osprey 2 Mini is a smaller, more compact version of the Osprey and can be customized with available coloured 'bumpers'. The Osprey 2 Mini will set you back £15 on plans with 3GB of data up to £49.99 for 6GB. The Osprey 2 will be available for £15 with 3G of data or £69.99 for 6GB.
More information on the new products will be released soon. See the press release below for more details.
23rd APRIL, 2015 – EE, the UK's most advanced digital communications company, today unveiled two new smartphones and two new 4GEE WiFi devices optimised for EE's double speed network – marking the next phase of its own-brand device roll out.
EE's successful own brand device range launched last year and is designed to offer premium mobile features at an entry level price point, allowing more consumers and businesses across the UK the opportunity to access the biggest and fastest UK network.
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Harrier from EE
Due to launch on the 28th April for consumers and businesses, EE's second own-branded smartphone, the Harrier, offers outstanding value for money and boasts specs and features typically found on more expensive handsets. The Harrier's stunning and slim 8.9mm chassis hosts an Android Lollipop OS, with an Octa Core 1.5Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor providing smooth and seamless multitasking that's associated with some of the most recent flagship devices. Similarly, the Full HD 5.2" display gives unprecedented picture quality for its class, making high definition videos streamed and downloaded over 4G more immersive than ever.
The Harrier features CAT 4 chipset technology which ensures users are able to access EE's 4G double speed network, offering real world download speeds of up to 60Mbps (with theoretical maximum download speeds of 150Mbps) for the ultimate in connectivity and performance.
The handset also features a 13MP rear facing camera, making it the perfect way to capture those special moments on the move. The combination of the biggest 4G network in the UK, plus a large 2,500mAh battery means it's now possible to reach even the most isolated parts of the UK and still share pictures and videos with lightning speed.
The Harrier will also be capable of supporting EE's recently launched WiFi Calling service with customers able to use the service from this summer.
Harrier from EE will be available for £199.99 on pay as you go and free on 4GEE plans from £21.99 per month. The Harrier will also be available for small businesses, corporates and the public sector.
Harrier Mini
EE is also launching the Harrier Mini, a more compact version of the Harrier handset. Similar in style to the Harrier, the Harrier Mini also features an Android Lollipop operating system with a 1.2 GHz Quad Core processor to ensure even the most demanding apps run smoothly. The smartphone also features a 4.7" HD display and 8MP camera for capturing high quality pictures and video in low light. The Harrier Mini will be the most affordable way to utilise WiFi Calling when the service is activated on the device this summer, allowing EE customers to make and receive calls and texts in areas of zero signal**, such as basement flat of rural homes and offices.
Harrier Mini from EE will be available for £99.99 on pay as you go and free on 4GEE plans from £16.99 per month. The Harrier Mini will also be available for small businesses, corporates and the public sector.
Osprey 2 and Osprey 2 Mini
As the UK's number one mobile broadband provider, EE is also introducing two new 4G WiFi devices which will be available from early May.
The Osprey 2 provides customers with a 4G mobile internet hotspot, allowing up to ten devices to connect at any one time. Providing exceptional battery life – with a huge 5,150mAh capacity allowing users to stream for more than 15 hours uninterrupted – Osprey 2 also acts as a portable battery pack so customers can be confident of never running out of power on their tablet or phone when on the move.
EE is also launching the Osprey 2 Mini, a compact version of the Osprey which also allows up to 10 devices to connect at any one time and can be personalised with one of three coloured 'bumpers' that come with the device, helping create standout in any student library or coffee shop.
Both devices are ideally suited to those who want a reliable internet connection while they are out and about without having to rely on public hot spots or worry about draining their phone by tethering.
The Osprey 2 will be available free on pay monthly plans from £15 including 3GB of data, or £69.99 on pay as you go including 6GB data. The Osprey 2 Mini is available for free on pay monthly plans from £15 including 3GB of data, or £49.99 on pay as you go including 6GB data. Both the Osprey 2 and Osprey 2 Mini will also be available for small businesses, corporates and the public sector.
Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer at EE, said: "Customer take-up of our existing EE branded products has been phenomenal, so we've worked hard to create new feature packed devices.
"The Harrier and Harrier Mini are another big step forward and will allow even more people to benefit from a premium smartphone without the premium price – as well as provide access to a superfast 4G experience that only the UK's biggest and fastest mobile network can provide."
EE's superfast 4G service is currently available in over 500 major towns and cities across the UK, as well as approximately 4,000 smaller towns and villages.
Further information on the Harrier, Harrier Mini, Osprey 2 and Osprey 2 Mini will be available on ee.co.uk and ee.co.uk/business in due course.