ZTE to launch first Android phone in 1Q Tweet

Chinese vendor ZTE expects to launch its first smartphones based on Google’s Android platform during the first quarter of the year. "With the growing trend and popularity of Android smartphones, ZTE is committed to invest in this innovative platform to meet the market demand," said Lin Qiang, general manager of ZTE Smartphones, in a brief statement. The vendor is also joining the Open Handset Alliance, the group of 65 technology and mobile companies focused on advancing Android. "To accommodate this trend, ZTE has invested heavily in the research and development of Android smartphones during the last year,” the firm said

ZTE joins a growing list of smartphone vendors that are backing the Android platform. LG said earlier this week that half of all of its new smartphones launched this year will be based on Android in a bid to make up ground in the smartphone space. Similarly, Motorola is looking at Android handsets as a strategy to help its struggling handset unit return to profitability this year; the US vendor unveiled its fifth Android device – the Backflip – at the CES show last week. Nokia is the only major handset vendor to date not supporting Android.

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