Pepsi might be making a smartphone

Leaked images of the phone suggest it could only cost around £130

A move into the phone market would be an unusual step for the American soft drinks company (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Drinks company Pepsi is apparently making a smartphone for sale in the Chinese market, according to leaked images.

The phone, named the Pepsi P1, could apparently have a 5.5-inch 1080p screen, a 13 megapixel camera and 2GB of RAM, according to a leaked picture listing its specifications.

The rumours of the phone's release began to swirl after a verified account called 'Pepsi Phone' appeared on Chinese social media site Weibo.

It is not known whether Pepsi designed the phone itself, or whether it used the services of an established phone manufacturer - although the latter option is more likely, given Pepsi's lack of expertise in making phones.

Leaked images of the phone show some impressive specs and subtle Pepsi branding

Images of the phone show the distinctive red, white and blue Pepsi logo adorning the home screen, with another miniature logo on the back of the device.

It could be the case that the Weibo account is simply for a new app or similar service, and the company has no intention of making a phone - but it wouldn't be the first time big companies dipped their toes into the phone market.

Kodak, for example, released its simple IM5 phone in the Netherlands in June, marketing itself as an easy-to-use, stripped-down smartphone with a decent camera and low price tag.

Sticking their logo on a mid-range Android phone produced by someone else could well turn into a good promotional tool for Pepsi, but we'll have to see whether it pays off (or whether it's released at all).

The phone's impressive performance specs and low price (believed to be around £130) could make it an unlikely hit with Chinese consumers.