Amazon Kindle Phone: Will it Doom Apple iPhone 5?

Amazon is one of the biggest players, when it comes to online shipping. The Seattle-based firm, who rose to fame with Kindle e-book readers and tablets, is now desperately looking to enter smartphone market.

This is not the first time, when the rumors of "Kindle Phone" swirling on the internet. Last year, Bloomberg reported that Amazon is indeed working with Foxconn International, to craft a smartphone that could rival Apple's iconic iPhone.

Foxconn International is the same name who manufactures iPhone 5 for Apple. It was also being reported that the upcoming smartphone would be heavily customized like Kindle Fire. The success of Amazon's hardware division is largely because of its ecosystem, and other could be reasonable price quoted by the firm.

Neil Shah, a Strategy Analyst, posted in his Twitter late last year about Amazon's smartphone plans. He predicted that the vendor is serious about its smartphone ambitions, and the purported device could sell anywhere around $249 (Rs.13,528) with 4G LTE.

Now the fresh rumors hints at a 4.7-inch smartphone from Amazon, claims Digitimes. Industry supply chain sources believe that the device could arrive in the Q2 of 2013. The tech vendor was earlier planning a 4.3-inch device, but it was scrapped in lieu for larger screen size. As of now, the specifications are still not out yet. It is also being said that the device will be available to consumers at $100(Rs. 5,433) - $200(Rs. 10,866)

GizBot believe that Amazon could price the handset around $200 not more than that. Even the handset won't kill Apple iPhone any day. Looks like, the success of Google Nexus 4, and its model, has made Amazon to believe in its bizarre smartphone dreams.

This week, iPhone 5 was introduced on T-Mobile network, a US based telecom giant. The device won't sell on contract like it does on other networks. However, the network operator will charge $99 (Rs. 5,378 (upfront cost) from consumers, and one has to pay $20(Rs. 1,086) a month for 24 months.

Is Amazon also thinking in the same direction as T-Mobile has done with the iPhone 5? It is too early to predict anything about the rumored "Kindle Phone". Facebook is also prepping its smartphone for a very long time. The social networking giant has chosen HTC to manufacturer the device. Stay tuned to GizBot.