Here's an IDEOS: Huawei X1 Android phone breaks $100 price barrier
- — 28 June, 2011 11:23
The Huawei IDEOS X1 Android phone, available 1 July through Optus
Chinese company Huawei has announced the Australian launch of its latest low-cost Android phone, the IDEOS X1. The smartphone will be available exclusively through Optus from 1 July, and will sell for $99.
Read our roundup of the best budget Android phones, including the Huawei IDEOS U8150.
The Huawei X1 runs the 2.2 'Froyo' version of Google's Android operating system, has a 2.8in capacitive touchscreen display and a 3.2-megapixel camera that records standard definition video. The Huawei IDEOS X1 also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS connectivity, and is powered by a single-core 528MHz processor.
"The IDEOS X1 is the perfect choice for consumers wanting a smartphone that gives them quick and easy access to all the apps they love, without draining their wallets," said Huawei's head of marketing, Mark Treadwell. "Running Android 2.2 and weighing only 100 grams, the IDEOS X1 offers a better experience than other entry-level smartphones — both practically and aesthetically."
The Huawei X1 will be sold exclusively through Optus, and will be a direct competitor to Telstra's Smart-Touch Android phone, which also sells for $99.
"We're very pleased to be offering our customers an affordable and highly impressive Android Smartphone. Devices such as the X1 from Huawei really demonstrate the range of smartphone options which are available on the Android platform, as well as the quality handsets which are available across a range of price points for both pre-paid and post-paid customers," said Gavin Williams, marketing director, Optus consumer.
The Huawei IDEOS X1 is the latest in a range of Android smartphones targeting the budget segment of the Australian market. In addition to the Telstra Smart-Touch, Huawei boasts the Huawei IDEOS U8150, which is sold for $99 through Crazy Johns online. The company also sells the slightly higher priced IDEOS X5 for $349 outright at Crazy John's and Dick Smith stores.
Comments
Golf77
1
Had a play with this phone today in a Optus store in Melbourne, pretty good for under a $100, good screen and actually does 720p recording and play back, so there's a bonus, screen response is awesome as good as a Galaxy S. Felt like it was a good solid phone and looks better then the $99 price tag would suggest. Over all beats anything under $200 bucks as far as I'm concerned, sorry Telstra, Optus got me.
PeterN
2
Its greatest feature is wifi tethering(feature of Android 2.2), which turns the phone into a wifi hotspot to connect to with your laptop or ipod/ipad.
BUT, and its a a big BUT, the cheap-asses at Optus have blocked wifi tethering for prepaid customers, so that great deal on optus prepaid cap with bonus data doesnt look so great anymore.
DegiHari
3
Coming from an incredible S i actually am impressed by the X1
Getting one as a dev phone :D
Ian b
4
optus have not blocked wifi hotspot. I am prepaid customer for 12 years and all my family and we use it 2 or 3 times a day. best cheap in price but great in performance. Thanks OPTUS look forward to another 12 fantastic years together........