Dell poised to take Android downmarket in the UK

Dell is set to join the UK’s smartphone battleground soon with the launch of the Android -powered Mini 3i.

The computing giant launched its first Android device in China last November and at CES in Las Vegas this week it has been showcasing the handset’s Western debut.

Although the Mini 3i has been given an upgrade for a demanding Western audience with the addition of 3G and Wi-fi, it’s fair to say that it has a rather unimpressive spec: a 3MP camera, Bluetooth, a microSD slot and a 3.5-inch 640×360 touchscreen. That low spec, of course, should mean a bargain price.

Although no official announcement has been made about UK availability, a Dell rep let slip to Electric Pig that the phone was coming and was “Built specifically with the UK in mind”. Oh Dell, we’re sure you say that to all the countries! Still, it does mean that we’ll be seeing some more choice in the “reasonably priced Android handsets” category soon.

While the launch of Android promised a wide variety of handset across different pricepoints, the only Android phone in the UK that can be described as a bargain so far is the T-Mobile Pulse, which can be bought on Pay-as-you-go for £139. That’s much cheaper than the £400 the average high-end smartphone goes for and if the Mini 3i is priced similarly, it should translate to some great contract deals too.

The Mini 3i is to be launched on AT&T in the USA in the first half of this year. Look out for an official UK announcement soon.