MWC: Huawei launches Ascend XL 1.5GHz quad-core device with 16 GPUs

CHINESE MANUFACTURER Huawei has taken the fight to Apple and Samsung by launching a quad-core 1.5GHz handset with 16 GPUs and a 4.5in display.

The Ascend D XL packs a 1.5GHz quad-core processor which Huawei claims is faster than the Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset and makes it the "fastest smartphone in the world".

The 4.5in screen comes with 1280x720 resolution and 330 pixel-per-inch (PPI), and there is also an 8MP camera with a BSI sensor as well as an 1,800mAh battery.

Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei claimed that the device is capable of outperforming all high-end devices on the market including the Iphone 4S especially when it comes to graphics. The 16 GPUs allow the device to display video content at over 30FPS, Yu said.

The device will start shipping in Q2, with Android 4.0  Ice Cream Sandwich. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but Yu confirmed that there will be a slightly cheaper 1.2GHz model available as well.

The INQUIRER was at the press conference as it happened and you can catch the key details below.