Huawei launches 'first affordable' Android 2.2 smartphone with Google

02 September 2010

Huawei has today unveiled two new products in its Huawei Device portfolio. IDEOS, recommended price between £99 and £129, is the claimed to be the world’s first affordable smartphone powered by Android 2.2. The new smartphone, which will be released across Europe, Asia-Pacific North America and Latin America, is claimed to 'redefine the “entry-level” concept' by combining full feature performance with high-quality hardware and software and an affordable price concept. 

The ergonomically designed IDEOS provides a variety of ways to access the internet, with downlink speeds of more than 7.2Mb/s and offering 3G + Wi-Fi dual network support. The device also doubles as a Wi-Fi router for up to eight devices at a time, making IDEOS an all-in-one solution for a range of wireless connectivity options.

Available in a range of colours, the IDEOS runs faster, and also supports functions such as, voice dialing, voice navigation, and the ability to run applications off an SD card. With more than 70,000 applications available in the Android Market, IDEOS provides a wide range of communication, entertainment, and business management applications.

Kevin Tao, CEO of Huawei Device, said, “ The popularity of the smartphone is one of the key tools bringing people into the ‘Golden Age of Mobile Broadband,’ which is linked to Google’s mobile internet strategy. We are proud to have already achieved our goal from early 2010 of developing a US$150 smartphone, with a great user experience. The IDEOS is an affordable option, designed to lower the barriers to entry to allow easy mobile Internet access.”

The E5S, also officially launched in the UK today, is Huawei’s upgrade to its next-generation mobile broadband device, the E5. Huawei has developed the E5S with new user-friendly features including a simple one-touch Wi-Fi activation and connection coupled with a wider Wi-Fi range. The E5S also has an upgraded OLED display while benefitting from a longer battery life. The recommended price is between £39 and £69 for pay as you go customers.

“The E5S is the next generation in mobile broadband solutions for both business people and consumers wanting high-speed wireless connectivity, anytime, anywhere,” says Nicola Philbin, Huawei Device GM for the UK and Ireland. “Both operators and end-users demand a superior mobile broadband experience, and we are always looking to improve our product offering. The E5S is the result of this commitment, and we’re confident that it is the ideal device for those looking for an innovative wireless product that really stands out from the competition”.

IDEOS will be available in mid-October 2010. The E5S is currently commercially available.