StarMobile Jupiter B305 has a twin Bluetooth headset

This nifty little candy-bar phone (Jupiter B305) was given to me by the folks from StarMobile a couple of weeks ago and I promised to take it for a spin at least for a week before sharing what I think of it here.

We don’t normally write about feature phones here but this one makes for a unique case. The Jupiter B305 has a built-in Bluetooth headset that attaches itself via a magnetic base at the back of the phone.

Because of the form factor and the thick, curved shaped of the back side, you might easily mistaken it for a Nokia 808 PureView too (been tricking my friends about it for some time).

The brand is fairly new and only started early this year but is owned by one of the biggest cellphone distributor in the country (massive distribution channel is its biggest advantage here). I am told the designs are made locally and the final products are manufactured in China by the same ODM that makes Apple products (Foxconn?).

The phone itself looks pretty decent, has that glossy plastic finish and runs its own operating system (looks Java-based). It has built-in access to Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Messenger and MSN. As for how long it will last, your guess is as good as mine.

StarMobile Jupiter B305 specs:
Dual-SIM
Tri-band
Built-in Bluetooth headset
3MP rear camera
FM radio tuner
Music Player
Video Player & Recorder
Opera Mini browser
Application widgets

The attached Bluetooth headset works like a regular headset so you can actually pair it to any other handset as well. The headset charges via the phone when it is docked so you’re sure it is always juiced up.

The handset retails for Php2,990USD 51INR 4,319EUR 49CNY 371 (Lazada sells it here for Php2,899USD 49INR 4,188EUR 47CNY 360). If you take into consideration that the built-in Bluetooth headset would go for Php1k, then a Php2k dual-SIM phone ain’t that bad.