Polytron transparent phone to challenge iPhone 5

A firm based in Taiwan is hoping to crack the mobile market by launching a transparent phone with functions “similar to a smartphone”.

• Handset will be able to display images on front and back.

• Touchscreen device will be cheaper than iPhone 5.

The lightweight device, which is completely see-through, is made of a toughened glass and can display images on both sides.

The company, which is the Taiwanese division of US-based Polytron Technologies, will put the handset into production this year after six years at the development stage.

The prototype currently shows some items, such as the battery and sim card, as being visible through the glass, though it is thought that part of the handset will be covered up to hide these elements.

Polytron has yet to reveal the price tag for the device but it is reportedly cheaper than the iPhone 5, while the screen is 0.3 inches bigger.

The company are even reportedly looking at ways to make the batteries transparent in the future, and it is hoped the phone will be available later this year.