AT&T Hopes Huawei Smartphone Will Make Android an Impulse Buy

Looking to add an entry-level Android smartphone to its mix, AT&T went with Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant that is aiming to boost its U.S. presence.

The device, the Impulse 4G, runs Froyo (Android 2.2) and features a 3.8-inch screen and a five megapixel camera. The device goes on sale Sept. 18 for $29.99, with a new two-year contract.

Huawei Device USA president Cui Jiangao called the move an important milestone for the company.

“As we introduce our first smart phone for AT&T, we believe the Impulse 4G will allow consumers to experience the best of AT&T’s applications,” Jiangao said in a statement. “We are committed to working with AT&T to create influential devices that will provide user-friendly mobile experiences.”

Huawei has been looking to raise its profile and make further inroads into the U.S. market, both for its phones and its broader lineup of networking gear. On the latter front, however, the company has been largely thwarted by security concerns.