Dell developing first 'mini 3i' phone for China

TAGS:China, Dell, iPhone, Mini3i, phone
IT TOPICS:Linux, Mobile & Wireless, Operating Systems, Personal Technology

Rumors that Dell has been working on a phone have been circulating for years. Today, they've finally been acknowledged.

Besides all of the silly comparisons to the iPhone, which are clearly built for different market segments, I think, on paper at least, this phone is a great fit for China.

The form factor is similar to the iPhone, yet it has a higher resolution screen at 600x360 pixels. It doesn't have a physical keyboard which isn't optimal for Chinese characters anyway.

While it lacks modern smartphones' networking capabilities, its Western shortcomings might be benefits in China. The Chinese government doesn't want its phones to have Wifi. The Dell comes in in spades there (no Wifi). The Dell also has 2G wireless. 3G wireless, like the iPhone's, hasn't spread throughout China like it has in the West. Also 2G is much better on battery than 3G services.

The Dell does have the same camera pixel CCD (which is only one factor in a camera's quality) as the iPhone or Pre but it includes a questionably-useful LED flash. The Dell also has a Micro SD card slot which should allow it 8GB of storage and beyond.

Most importantly, this device is going to be running Google's Android operating system. Android has been improving by leaps and bounds and seems to currently be the most exciting platform to build a device on. Google's Android is also Open Source (free) so it won't add cost to the bottom line like Windows Mobile in a place where every Yuan counts.

Oh, and Dell is launching on China Mobile which has more 50% more subscribers (450 million) than the US has citizens (300+ million). That's a pretty big market to jump into.

All things considered, China may be the perfect place for Dell to introduce its low end, but somewhat exciting phone line.

Update: Dell is now denying this phone is a production device and is saying that it was just a pre-launch prototype. What's with the Chinese and their early announcements. China Unicom did the same with Apple's iPhone.