Tesco to launch own-brand smartphone

Tesco is set to launch its first own-brand smartphone, according to reports.

Thought to run on Android software, it is being compared to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and will hit shelves by the end of the year.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live’s Wake Up to Money programme, Tesco’s chief executive, Philip Clarke, said the device would be pre-installed with Tesco services.

The moves comes after last year’s launch of the Tesco Hudl, a low-cost Android tablet.

The seven inch device was aggressively priced at £119 and has since sold half a million units.

Tesco’s decision to launch the Hudl stemmed from Ofcom’s claim that three quarters of UK households do not have a tablet, alongside Tesco’s own research which found that many feel that the technology is ‘too expensive’ or ‘intimidating’.

The Hudl operates Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 and runs all standard Google Play apps and games.

Compared with other competitors already in the tablet market, Hudl’s screen resolution is much lower, however the device also costs much less – Google’s Nexus is double the price that Tesco is asking for.

A new version of the Hudl tablet will be released in September, Mr Clarke said.