Dell officially enters smartphones with Mini 3
updated 08:15 am EST, Fri November 13, 2009
Dell Mini 3 confirmed for Brazil, China
Dell today formally entered the smartphone race by launching the Mini 3. The full-touchscreen phone depends on a customized version of Android and will have different features based on the region. While most details aren't available, the China Mobile version will be limited to EDGE data but use the government-supported OPhone interface and app store. Other countries should get localized 3G and should also have Wi-Fi as well.
Most other specifications haven't been published, but a 3-megapixel camera and a 640x360 display resolution are already well-known.
The Mini 3's first shipments are to China Mobile later this month and to Brazil's Claro by the end of the year, but Dell has already confirmed US deals for AT&T and Verizon for early next year as well as Vodafone agreements for Australia, Europe and New Zealand, Maxis in Malaysia and both M1 as well as StarHub in Singapore.
Dell's entry marks its first handheld since it dropped the PDA-only Axim line in 2007 and represents both a return to competition with Apple in the handheld space as well as a symbolic blow against Microsoft. All of Dell's Axims ran Windows Mobile and led many to speculate that Windows Mobile would return.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
Looks a lot nicer than...
the ugly Motorola Droid. If Dell sells them cheap enough in China, they look like they might sell a bunch of them. I guess a lot of people in China will be stepping up to some serious new phones. Here's hoping the iPhone gets some traction when that takes place.