Chinese smartphone maker ZTE has announced two new handsets ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next week.
ZTE confirmed it will introduce two LTE-capable Android devices—the PF200 and the N910—running Android Ice Cream Sandwich. The company stated the phones will be equipped with 1.2GHz and 1.5GHz chipsets, although it did not assign specific processors to each model.
With 4G LTE networks rolling out globally, LTE devices are expected to be a major focus at this year’s MWC. Several manufacturers have already signaled their LTE plans: LG will showcase the Optimus Vu and Optimus LTE Tag, and HTC is widely expected to expand its LTE portfolio as it competes with market leaders such as Apple and Samsung. ZTE is positioning its new models as part of that broader industry shift toward faster mobile data.
“These LTE devices are the fore-runners of a wide range of LTE devices ZTE will bring to the market in the coming months, and as more and more LTE networks come on stream,” said He Shiyou, Executive Vice President and Head of the Terminal Division at ZTE. He added that the new handsets would be among the key products displayed on the company’s stand at Mobile World Congress 2012.
The PF200 is the higher-end model of the two and is designed to support a broad range of network standards, including the primary LTE bands as well as UMTS and GSM. The PF200’s connectivity suite is comprehensive: Bluetooth 2.1 for local device pairing, GPS and A-GPS for location services, WiFi for local and internet connectivity, DLNA compatibility for sharing media across devices, and MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) to connect the phone to home audio and video systems. The device also supports NFC for contactless interactions and payments.
The N910 targets users who need wide network compatibility and multimedia features. It will operate across LTE FDD, CDMA and EV-DO networks, making it suitable for a variety of carrier environments. The N910 features a WVGA (800 x 480) capacitive touchscreen and a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera with flash. For video calls and front-facing video recording, the handset includes a front camera capable of 1080p video. Standard connectivity and sharing functions such as GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and DLNA are also included.
ZTE did not provide pricing or exact release dates for either model at the announcement. Additional technical details, pricing and availability information are likely to be revealed during ZTE’s MWC presentations in Barcelona. As the global rollout of LTE continues, manufacturers are racing to deliver compatible devices that combine faster mobile data with improved multimedia, connectivity and handset features.
Stay tuned for more updates as further specifications and market plans for the PF200 and N910 are disclosed at Mobile World Congress. Industry observers will be watching to see how ZTE positions these devices in an increasingly competitive LTE smartphone market.