IFA: ZTE announces Intel x86 Grand X IN smartphone

BERLIN: CHINESE PHONE MAKER ZTE has become the latest to commit to Intel x86 chip technology by announcing an Android device powered by an Atom processor.

Called the ZTE Grand X IN, the device is powered by a 1.6GHz Atom Z2460 processor and runs the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. ZTE unveiled it at the IFA technology show in Berlin today.

The phone weighs 140g and measures 127x65x9.9mm and will be available across Europe from September, although no pricing information is available yet.

Connectivity options include HSPA+ with speeds of up to 21Mbit/s and it has 1GB of RAM. It also boasts a 4.3in screen and an 8MP camera as well as a 1650mAh battery.

The use of Intel x86 chip technology sees ZTE following Motorola in committing to Chipzilla's mobile processor as it seeks to steal market share from ARM, which has so far dominated the mobile market.

"We're pleased to extend the close collaboration we entered with ZTE at Mobile World Congress 2012 to Intel-based smartphones," said Helmut Vogler, Intel VP of mobile and wireless sales.

Intel will be hoping the move by ZTE and Motorola will encourage other vendors to take advantage of its chip technology, as until now only Orange's own brand San Diego handset has had an Intel Atom processor. µ

This article was originally published on V3.