Republic Wireless Proposes Specs for Device Lineup for Its $20 a Month Plan

Wireless newcomer and challenger Republic Wireless, which may be successful in uprooting the current voice and data plan offerings from today’s carriers, has now offered a glimpse of the devices that it hopes to offer in its lineup. The unique thing about Republic Wireless versus other prepaid carriers or MVNOs is that the carrier piggybacks on a major national carrier’s network, but will offer unlimited all-inclusive voice data, and text plans for just $20 per month. The catch? Not much, but Republic Wireless does hope that you’ll turn to WiFi and local broadband when available to conduct your voice and data calls rather than use the more expensive mobile cellular network, which it has to pay for.

Interestingly, it was believed that Republic Wireless would offer a mid-range or entry-level Android smartphone to couple with its inexpensive plans, but the provider will be offering several classes of device to span the entry-level, mid-range, and premium markets. That means that even if you’re a power user, you can potentially find an Android smartphone that meets most, if not all, of your needs and not have to pay upwards of $50 or $100, depending on your plan pricing with your current carrier, and won’t have to be subjected to a long-term two year contract.

Here is what the device lineup looks like:

• At the entry-level, you can expect to shell out $200 for a basic smartphone with a 3.5-inch display and single-core CPU. That device will come with a 5-megapixel camera.
• In the mid-range, devices will cost $300 and will be coming from a well-known phone-maker. That device will have a slightly larger 3.7-inch display, single-core 1 GHz applications processor, 1 GB of built-in storage, 5-megapixel rear camera and also a front-facing camera.
• And in the high-end segment, you can expect to pay $500 for a phone with a  4.3-inch touchscreen and dual-core 1.2 GHz CPU alongside 8 GB of on-board storage. There will be a 7-megapixel camera.

The wireless low-cost MVNO has begun sending out invitations for people who signed up to be notified to participate in its summer beta launch, according to Engadget.

Interestingly, with Google’s Galaxy Nexus with 16 GB of RAM costing $400 for the 16 GB version on a GSM network, perhaps Republic Wireless can even consider offering something like that if it can negotiate a deal with the Android OS-maker.