KDDI to release BASIO, the first au smartphone for seniors

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―VoLTE support and Smart Sonic Receiver provide high-quality sound―

No.2015-009

  • KDDI CORPORATION
  • Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company

January 19,2015

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have announced plans to release the BASIO, the first au smartphone for seniors, which features a 5.0-inch Full HD display and user-friendly operations that are simple even for first-time users. The new model is scheduled to be released in mid-February 2015.

In conjunction with the release of the new model, KDDI will also begin offering a new and exclusive, easy-to-use Senior Plan (V) for customers aged 55 or older who purchase the BASIO. The plan will be available for a basic usage charge of ¥3,980 per month (or ¥3,046 per month with au Smart Value [*]) (tax excluded), which includes a flat-rate charge for data. In addition, customers will be able to take advantage of the special au Smart Support campaign to celebrate the BASIO release, which waives the ¥3,000 (tax excluded) au Smart Support subscription fee for the first three months of service (the fee is ¥380 per month after the third month).

The BASIO is equipped with a variety of features designed to improve readability and usability, including a 5.0-inch Full HD display, a user-friendly Home screen with easy-to-read text size and contrast, separate hard buttons for phone and e-mail functions, and a shortcut icon that connects users directly to the au Customer Service Center when they have a question about how to operate the device. The user-friendly features make this model easy to operate and master, even for seniors who are using a smartphone for the first time.

This model is also equipped with features designed to make sound easy to hear, such as Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver (R), which has been fine-tuned to support au VoLTE and provide voice calls with high-quality sound. In addition, the Slow Voice function improves comprehensibility by slowing the other person's voice speed, and Audibility Adjustment enables the user to adjust the sound quality of the caller's voice to the desired levels. This model is also equipped with functions that enhance family communication, such as a pedometer that notifies family members of the user's daily step count, as well as a family-based SNS function that makes it easy for the user to share photos with family members.

The BASIO is also compatible with au Smart Pass, which offers subscribers a variety of benefits, such as access to recommended apps, information about discount travel and accommodations, shopping information, and other content posted in an easy-to-understand manner that can be enjoyed even by seniors who are first-time smartphone users.

In addition, a variety of items are available in the au +1 collection of official au accessories, including high-quality, functional covers and cases that are compatible with the included desktop holder, as well as screen protective film.

The BASIO smartphone will go on display from January 20, 2015 at au SHINJUKU (Shinjuku, Tokyo), au NAGOYA (Sakae, Nagoya), au OSAKA (Umeda, Osaka), and au FUKUOKA (Tenjin, Fukuoka).

  • Only when au Smart Value conditions are satisfied. Some au Smart Value discounts may not be available, depending on the service partner.

For more details, see the Attachment.
Attachment：KDDI to release BASIO, the first au smartphone for seniors

  • The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.