KDDI iida INFOBAR A01 is a cool, Japan-only droid with custom UI

Refreshing design? Check. 3.7-inch qHD screen? Check. Android 2.3 Gingerbread with a unique, flexible UI? Check. The KDDI iida INFOBAR A01 stars in today’s installment of "We want a Japanese smartphone" drool fest.

The KDDI iida INFOBAR A01 has a 3.7” qHD (540 x 960) pixels capacitive screen with about 300 ppi (Retina display on iPhone 4 has 326 ppi). The screen uses ASV LCD technology, which promises excellent viewing angles.

KDDI iida INFOBAR A01

The iida INFOBAR A01 runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with the custom iida UI – it’s a highly customizable interface that lets users arrange widgets into a grid. Kinda like Windows Phone 7, don't you think?

The INFOBAR A01 comes in some wild colors • A peak at the UI (click for full size)

Here’s a promo video that does a better job at explaining the interface.

Other specs of the INFOBAR A01 include an 8MP camera, microSD card slot (up to 32GB), Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, microUSB and an infrared port (is that still around in Japan?). There’s a digital tuner and an e-wallet function too. The phone measures 118 x 63 x 11.8 mm and weighs 113 grams.

The iida INFOBAR A01 has GSM/CDMA dual-mode connectivity, but there don’t seem to be any plans for a release outside of Japan.

The phone should launch in July along with cool looking accessories – colorful latex cases, a leather case, colorful stickers and a great looking charger.

DigiInfo have a quick hands-on video with the KDDI iida INFOBAR A01, don’t miss it:

Source 1 (in Japanese) • Source 2