ZTE Corporation, the Chinese company which has grown to become one of the world’s top 5 handset makers, has launched its flagship Android 2.3 Gingerbread smart phone, the Skate, alongside its new strategy for smart devices which include tablet devices, internet TV boxes and smart phones at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.Inspired by the skateboard, the ZTE Skate is a fashionably thin and lightweight smartphone weighing 120g, and features a large 4.3-inch screen to provide an optimal web surfing experience to consumers.
Operating on the Android 2.3 platform, it has an 800MHz processor and the Adreno 200 graphics processing unit (GPU) to support the widescreen, high-definition display. It also has a 5MP camera, multimedia Bluetooth extension, A-GPS capability, hardware compass, and G-sensor.
The phone is expected to be available worldwide from May this year, but the Chinese company used the opportunity to kick off its “Light Your Smart World” smart product strategy which is aimed at bringing out a range of compatible smart devices including tablets, internet TV boxes and smart phones at low prices.
According to IDC figures, ZTE has reached the top five handset maker companies with global shipments of 60 million handsets and 90 million terminal products in 2010.
Its signature models, such as the ZTE Blade and ZTE Light, became bestsellers across multiple markets, achieving outstanding sales records in more than 30 countries including Europe and Japan, within a very short period of time.
Along with Huawei Technologies, which also threw its Ideos X3 smartphone into the ring, both Chinese companies have been capturing increasing market share from Western companies by offering sophisticated, yet low-priced devices under their own brands.
Both companies are now targeting the smartphone world with a slew of Android based devices with Huawei aiming to launch at least 20 new smartphones this year.
At Barcelona, Huawei also showed off its Ideos S7 Slim tablet computer, while ZTE showcased its Android-based Amigo slide phone designed for young and fashionable users alongside the highly successful Blade Android smartphone.
ZTE says its strategy is to make its products available to customers at discounted prices.
Last month it was ranked as the fourth largest global phone supplier by IDC, edging past Apple and trailing only Nokia, Samsung and LG.
