(ThyBlackMan.com) Earlier this month, hip hop star and entrepreneur, Jeezy announced that he would be teaming up with inventor and tech entrepreneur Freddie Figgers of Quincy, Florida. The duo looks to bring a quality, affordable smartphone that rivals the larger companies’ offerings.
Rolling Out The Figgers F3
Their opening volley will be the Figgers F3, which holds the distinction of being the first 5G smartphone built in the U.S. It runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and has 8GB of RAM. The 6.2-inch 4K display is sure to catch the eyes of those who are seeking an affordable, crisp display. Not only that, but it features dual 18MP cameras with 8MP zoom. All of this comes in a water and shock resistant body.
While it runs on Android, the Figgers F3 comes with its own lifestyle suite for health. The handset also gives the user 1TB of space, the largest of any phone manufacturer. Really, it’s an excess of space for a smartphone but who’s going to complain when Figgers is offering this for one of the lowest amounts out there? The company has put a $450 price point on the F3 and are including free F-Buds, which price at $50.
The Jeezy-Figgers Partnership
In a press release, Jeezy said he joined with Freddie Figgers because there was a time when he couldn’t even cover his own phone bill. Seeing what Figgers was doing with his phones, the quality, business approach and similar hardships growing up, he decided to team up with him. Figgers pointed out that he built Figgers Communications on the principle that “telecommunications access should be attainable for everyone.”
Figgers Communications could very well bulldoze forward with more interest. This is a partnership on the up and up, not one that makes you go “I don’t know.” You know, like with those dodgy game consoles from last year that people were telling us to “Support a Black business owner” but the consoles were Chinese knock offs that only played older games and had no distinguishing branding linked to the rapper promoting them.
No, it wasn’t Jeezy. Yes, it was questionable. You could get the same gaming consoles from the same manufacturer off Amazon for less.
However, this isn’t about that business venture. I think that’s what it was. No, this is about Jeezy-Figgers and what a big deal this is. You have a Black seasoned musician who rose during one of the hottest periods in music—when southern hip hop collectively got its recognition—and you have a young Black man who built a whole telecommunications company from the ground up with an admirable goal in mind.
Plus, the goal seemed like a solid enough one for the seasoned musician to get behind. Here’s hoping more entertainers and entrepreneurs get on board and that other Black inventors and developers are able to really sell their idea or product in a way to get these kinds of partnerships.
While crowdfunding is great and shows that people truly believe in a project, big money involvement and major promotion really push these ideas into the realm of sustainability. That’s the realm where you have breathing room to actually work on a good product or piece for those who believed in the project 100-percent to start.
As for the Figgers F3, you can order it here. While there, check out some of the features this handset has and what Figgers Wireless has to offer coverage-wise.
Staff Writer;Â M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.