Aspera Mobile has built on its Nitro smartphone portfolio with the Nitro 2, sporting a new pearl finish and features including NFC for contactless payments.

The new smartphone also comes in a black option with face recognition, fingerprint sensor, a 6.6-inch HD+ display with maximum viewing space for videos, web browsing and messaging. There are also dual 4G sim cards, a large 5000mAh battery, 13MP rear and 8MP front cameras, more memory than the original Nitro and a free slimline protective case.

Aspera Mobile managing director, Allan Roberston said the Nitro 2 gives people who do not want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a great smartphone experience, access to Android OS and all the applications available in the Google Play store. “You shouldn’t underestimate its NFC capabilities as more people consider contactless payments an essential smartphone feature, but it is rarely seen at this price.”

Consumers using 3G only phones who will need to upgrade to 4G devices later this year will find the Nitro 2 is a very suitable upgrade option too, he said.

The Nitro 2 is available for RRP $179 from Big W, which has an exclusive launch with the Pearl model and Mobileciti. It will be released to Australia Post and other retailers soon.