ZTE confirms it's joining Windows Phone 8 party

News Richard Goodwin 10:10, 19 Jul 2012

You can now add ZTE to Microsoft’s confirmed list of Windows Phone 8 hardware partners

ZTE will launch a Windows Phone 8-powered device, according to the company’s head of marketing for Europe.

Speaking at the launch of the Android Ice Cream Sandwich-powered Grand X, ZTE let slip that a Windows Phone 8 handset is already ‘in development,’ when asked by Know Your Mobile if it was continuing its relationship with Microsoft.

ZTE was not named by Microsoft as a hardware partner at the launch of Windows Phone 8. Until now the only manufacturers linked with the platform were Huawei, Samsung, HTC and Nokia.

The company did not go into any more details about the handset, nor did it give any indication of when we can expect a release date.

But based on the company’s oddly named Tania handset, which was one of the more memorable Windows Phone 7 handsets, we’re expecting something fairly decent.

In case you missed it last night, check out Know Your Mobile’s first look at the ZTE Grand X.

Here’s a break down of the device’s specs:

Processor: NVIDIA Tegra 2, Dual-core (AP20 Dual Core 1GHz)
Display Size: 4.3-inch – 16M qHD (960 x 540) display
Modem: NVIDIA i450 (HSDPA Cat14, 21Mbps)
Weight: 110g
Dimensions: 127mm x 64.6mm x 9.9mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, DLNA
Camera: Dual Camera 5MP AF Flash/0.3 MP
User Memory: 4GB + up to 32GB Micro SD
RAM: 512 MB
Storage: 4GB, expandable to 32GB (Micro SD)
OS: Android 4.0 (ICS)
Battery: 1650 mAh Li-Ion
Others: Dolby Mobile Sound / HD Voice / HD video capture and playback / Facetones / Evernote / Documents to go / Tegra Zone (Gaming Marketplace)