YotaPhone 2 gets Lollipop, a price cut, and a white version

If you’re tired of all the black slabs on the market, and want your phone to be a little more special, you can’t go wrong with the YotaPhone 2. Now the dual-display device becomes even more striking with the addition of a white color theme, a decent price cut, and an upgrade to Lollipop.

The second generation YotaPhone was launched in December of last year, packing decent, if not cutting-edge specifications and a unique 540×960 pixels e-ink display on its back. The device shipped with KitKat and in black only, but now Yota Devices, its Russia-based maker, is delivering good news on both fronts.

The new white version is probably even more eye-catching that the black model, and should be a boon for users who prefer brighter themes for the e-ink interface. Only the sides and back are white, and they contrast nicely with the black front. The white version also comes with a couple of minor design changes: namely, the volume button and the ring around the camera on the back are metallic.

The white YotaPhone 2 will ship with Lollipop on-board, while the existing black version will receive it via OTA. It’s not just a new version of Android though: the update brings some changes to YotaPhone’s e-ink interface, such as the revamped YotaCovers, which now share space with YotaPanels (widgets area) and poll data from more sources. There are also some new pre-loaded apps, including YotaRemote (TV remote control app) and YotaSports (live scores on your e-ink display).

If the software and hardware updates don’t impress you, the YotaPhone 2 is also now cheaper. The device now goes for £440 in the UK (£115 of the launch price) and €599 elsewhere in Europe (a €100 price cut). As for the United States, Yota Devices told Engadget that it’s planning a launch via Indiegogo, with a planned date sometime in July.

For more on the YotaPhone 2 check out our full review. Let us know your thoughts on this new version!