New Windows Phone 8 handset from Huawei?
By Rich Edmonds
Well, well, well. Look what we have here, a mysterious handset that's reportedly manufactured by Hawaei. The manufacturer has yet to fully open up into the Windows Phone market, though a number of leaks have been previously covered by the news, including ourselves. So, what are we looking at in the alleged photos?
While there's no Huawei branding on the handset, it looks similar to what we've seen leaked before that was claimed to be hardware from the company. The device appears to be a relatively large device that clearly sports Windows Phone features, including the obvious Windows logo, arrangement of capacitive buttons, as well as branding on the rear of the device. There's also flash accompanying the rear shooter and speaker grill.
What's more is the Huawei handset's USB port is located on the bottom of the handset, aligned in the centre - much like what we've witnessed so far with current Apollo hardware. Overall, the look of it isn't half bad - it's actually an attractive Windows Phone, which looks to mimic what Nokia and HTC are going for.
The CEO of Huawei, Yu Chengdong, previously stated the company will be absent from the launch of Windows Phone 8 due to relations with the US becoming slightly rocky. We could well see the manufacturer finding its relationship with Microsoft being distanced slightly until everything blows over completely, but we can still see leaked images of course.
The device in question looks remarkably similar to the leaked Huawei Ascend P1, which we took a look at earlier in the month. The Ascend P1 was slated to sport a 4.0 screen WVGA, 1.2 GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 5MP rear camera with possible 3MP front, 2000 mAh battery and be available in a variety of colours.
We like it, whatever this Windows Phone is. It reminds us of the HTC 8S in black and white, which isn't a bad thing. Could we be seeing Huawei's plans to enter the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem with both the Ascend P1 and this leaked handset? Only time will tell, but more manufacturers is better than none at all, and we'll welcome the Chinese company with open arms with these designs.
Let us know your thoughts after some more images below.
Source: GSM Insider; thanks, LiuXiang, for the tip!
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build
Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.
ITS THE SURFACE PHONE O_O
Yeah that first pic made me think the same thing. Looks nice.
Can't be. Surface phone should be no less than 5", made of vapormg, have a kick stand, touch cover, and stellar camera.
I think the back looks downright UGLY
Don't like the back too. But if the leaked price of $320 holds and with those specs, I'll take it, back and all.
Hawaei? Hawaii?
Pronounced who-a way. Ridiculous name IMO.
You call a name ridiculously because it's Chinese? Oh right, I totally forgot only the English language exists in this world.
Don't like the lip the screen seems to have at the bottom before the rest of the frame.
i really wish the Asian manufactures can came up with their only unique design
No way it should be 4.5 - 4.8 inches
It looks a lot like a Lumia on the front picture.
So is the square design the signature look of windows phones?
could this just be the prototype for testing or invitations graphics?
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