Vodafone Smart Platinum 7: specs, 2K screen, VR headset, price

We're used to Vodafone pumping out relatively inexpensive handsets, but the announcement of the Platinum 7 signals that the mobile phone company has ambitions to move into the mid-tier.

Specs
The Vodafone Smart Platinum 7 makes its intentions clear right from the start. The sizeable 5.5in 2K screen has an impressive 534ppi, while the chassis is all glass and metal. From our precious few stolen moments we're impressed with the build Vodafone has achieved here.

The handset has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor (4X A72 1.8GHz, 4X A53 1.2GHz), 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (expandable to 128GB via microSD).

The spec sheet is completed by front-facing stereo speakers and an 8MP selfie camera, and there's a fingerprint scanner and a 16MP f/2.0 camera with dual-tone flash on the back. The Platinum 7 will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

Vodafone claimed that the phone will last two days on the 3,000mAh battery, but we'd wager that's a touch optimistic from poring over phones of similar capacities. It does support Quick Charge 3.0, though, so 30-minute charges will be a reality.

Vodafone virtual reality headset
The Smart Platinum 7 is also notable for the fact that Vodafone positions its first virtual reality headset as a separate accessory.

The headset is said to weigh 260g, which is considerably lighter than its contemporaries (the Samsung Gear VR weighs 318g even without a phone attached). We'll have more detail on the specs and availability of the headset soon, but it's currently being offered free with pre-orders.

Price and release date
The Smart Platinum 7 will be available for a middling £300 on pay-as-you-go from 20 June.

Alternatively, prices start at £28 a month if you're looking to go down the contract route. This includes unlimited minutes and texts, 1GB of data and a 500MB roaming allowance.

Look out for a full review once we've had time to give the Platinum 7 a full appraisal.

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• Topics
• Mobile Phones
• Vodafone
• Android
• Snapdragon
• virtual reality