Huawei to launch Android 2.2 smartphone at IFA

Huawei Technologies plans to launch the U8150, which is based on Android version 2.2, at the Internationale Funkaustellung (IFA) consumer electronics show, the company said via e-mail.

The U8150 has a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, a 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS. Users will also be able to access the Internet using 802.11n, which is quickly becoming a more common network feature on new smartphones. The processor is clocked at 528 MHz, according to Huawei.

The use of Android version 2.2 will allow users to turn the phone into a wireless hotspot. Users will connect to the smartphone with Wi-Fi and the device will then connect them to the Internet using HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access).

Huawei hasn't announced when the phone will start shipping or what it will cost, only saying that the price "will be very attractive."

The company is planning a launch event for Sept. 2, the day before IFA officially kicks off in Berlin. The show runs until Sept. 8.

Both Huawei and its Chinese competitor ZTE have become more aggressive in the smartphone segment with lower-cost products, either working with operators or pushing their own brands, according to Roberta Cozza, principal analyst at Gartner. They will likely have a hard time competing in the high-end segment, but should be more successful in the growing lower-end segment of the smartphone market, she said.

During the second quarter, Huawei and ZTE sold 5.9 million and 5.5 million phones, respectively, worldwide, compared to 2.5 million and 3.7 million phones during the same period in 2009, according to Gartner.

Send news tips and comments to mikael_ricknas@idg.com

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