Amid reports last week that Amazon is working on a smartphone, The Wall Street Journal says the online retailer is already testing handsets with displays between 4 to 5-in, and could begin production of the device as early as late this year.
The Wall Street Journal noted on Wednesday that sources among Amazon’s parts suppliers report that testing of a smartphone is underway.
“Officials at some of Amazon’s parts suppliers, who declined to be named, said the Seattle-based company is testing a smartphone and mass production of the new device may start late this year or early next year,” author Lorraine Luk wrote.
The Journal’s article follows Bloomberg’s report last week that Amazon is working with Apple supplier Foxconn to produce a smartphone. Bloomberg also suggested that Amazon is looking to buy up wireless patents to better protect itself from intellectual property lawsuits.
Amazon could be a credible threat to other Android smartphone makers. It has been suggested that it would follow the same plan it did with the Kindle Fire tablet, customizing the Android OS to better integrate with Amazon’s products and services.