KAZAM take the diet pills. Thinnest smartphone in the world appears.

Back in February we were pulled into a room and KAZAM showed us what they were made of. The UK company are headed up by ex-HTC staff but, when they first launched, they were pretty much throwing every type of handset out there to see what would stick.

This year there were signs that the range was becoming more refined, and an octa-core handset arrived. Now, literally 30 seconds ago, they’ve announced this – the KAZAM Tornado 348. It’s got an octa-core CPU in it too, but this one is thinner than a supermodels’ shadow. It’s 5.15mm thick (or thin, whichever way you want to look at it) and that beats the Gionee Elife Slim, which was until a few seconds ago the slimmest smartphone at 5.55mm.

Inside the new KAZAM Tornado 348 you’ll find that octa-core 1.7GHz CPU from MediaTek, Andoid 4.4.2 (Kitkat), 1GB RAM, 16GB ROM but no microSD card slot. It’s 3G only (no 4G) and has a 4.8″ 1280x 720 (HD) screen at 306 ppi. Camera-wise there’s an 8 megapixel unit at the back with flash and a 5 megapixel one for your selfies.

Let’s hope, given the thinness, that this doesn’t start doing an “iPhone 6 Plus” and bending in your pocket. I should just mention that it has WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, FM Radio and 2050mAh battery. No NFC though.

OK, so what are we looking at here? Good CPU, good screen, good camera tech and bragging rights because your phone is super slinky. KAZAM will add their free one year screen protection too but there’s a few things you’ll be giving up – no 4G and a theoretical maximum 16GB storage. Can you live with that? Losing attention?

Well, what if I told you that this was a mere £249? Ooh. Got your interest now haven’t I eh? KAZAM tell us that you’ll be able to buy it in black or white from mid-November. No details on where from just yet though.

Further details below..

Show Press Release (303 More Words)

London, 15th October 2014 – KAZAM, the European mobile brand, sheds the pounds as it announces the imminent arrival of the World’s thinnest smartphone in Europe. At only 5.15mm thin, the KAZAM Tornado 348 is a marvel of mobile engineering. Combining a robust aluminium-magnesium alloy uni-body with a wealth of features:

4.8” AMOLED 1280 x 780 HD Gorilla Glass® screen, the display on Tornado 348 offers resolution and clarity that is hard to beat.

8MP main camera with 1080p video capture, coupled with an incredible 5MP front facing camera, perfect for the ever-popular selfie.

The MediaTek True Octa-core MT6592 processor is blisteringly quick and powerful, easily capable of handling the most demanding of mobile applications simultaneously alongside other features.

All brought together with Google’s KitKat 4.4.2, and supported by KAZAMs unrivalled customer proposition – one year screen protection* and KAZAM Rescue service.

Dimensions [139.8 x 67.5 x 5.15mm], 95.5g
Battery 2050mAh

Michael Coombes, CEO at KAZAM Mobile Limited, said: “We are delighted to be unveiling World’s slimmest smartphone. KAZAM remains focused on innovating in areas often overlooked, the KAZAM Tornado 348 combines superior design with heavy hitting features, all backed up by the KAZAM proposition, adding real value for consumers.”

Jeffrey Ju, SVP and general manager of wireless communication at MediaTek, said “KAZAM is a prime example of the changing face of mobile technology – hitting the market with the slimmest mobile phone packed with our advanced, high performance MT6592 True Octa-core SoC. This partnership stands as testament to the way we work with an inclusive ecosystem to drive affordable technology into the hands of everyone.”

KAZAM Tornado 348 will be available in Black and White variants in the UK from mid-November at cost of £249.

*Screens are covered for a period of 12 months from date of purchase, consumers may claim for one screen replacement during that period.