The sleek, black, Android-driven smartphones boast the best technology available and at R999 for the gobii IIP and R1699 for the gobii IVP, they are to give their expensive rivals a run for their money. To top it off, the gobii smartphones come with 200MB of free Cell C data per month for the first year.

Smartphones have revolutionised the way people live their lives but due to traditional high cost have mainly been accessible only to the upper end of the South African consumer market.

Internationally awarded tech guru, Dave Duarte says this new device by kalahari.com will help satisfy the enormous demand for smartphones and could have unforeseen ripple effects as more people gain easy access to the web for the first time.

“At this price point, you can expect that the gobii smartphone will be getting many people online for the first time, and will be their primary access point to the web. A large number of users are likely to be school kids whose parents wouldn't otherwise be able to afford home internet access. Whether used for work or play, affordably priced smartphones will create a more publicly engaged society - with easier access to news, social media, apps and cheap communications."

The gobii smartphones are built using the same top quality technology as kalahari.com’s propriety gobii Tablet and gobii eReader.

“The DNA of our gobii range has always been about delivering amazing technology at a fantastic price point and we're delighted to be able to add phones to this range.” says Caren Genthner-Kappesz, CEO of kalahari.com.

The entry level gobii IIP with its 4" touch screen offers 4GB storage and a dual core processor while the slightly larger 4.5" gobii IVP boasts 8GB storage and a quad core processor. Storage for both devices is extendable with an SD card – up to 36MB (IIP) and 40MB (IVP).

Each have 1GB RAM and a software enhanced 8.0MP rear camera. An extra battery is available free of charge with the gobii IIP to ensure uninterrupted use while the gobii IVP comes with a handy leatherette cover.

The new gobii smartphone is one of only a few in South Africa that is dual SIM enabled, allowing users to take advantage of data packages from more than one network.

“We know that many South Africans make use of more than one SIM card and our dual SIM smartphone allows one to easily switch between networks without having to carry more than one device,” continues Genthner-Kappesz.

Aside from the kalahari.com eReader app, the gobii smartphones comes with the kalahari.com online shopping app installed to make it easier to shop online.

Pre-loaded social media apps include Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, MyEdit and Skype and close to a million free apps are available in the Android app market.

The new gobii smartphone follows hot on the heels of kalahari.com’s third generation, WiFi enabled gobii tablet which was released in October 2013, as well as the new WiFi & 3G gobii tablet, which is currently on pre-order and expected to be available at the end of May.

The new gobii smartphone is only available from kalahari.com and delivery is free of charge.

For more information, visit www.kalahari.com.