Huawei Powering T-Mobile’s Latest Crop of myTouch Devices
T-Mobile USA is adding two new phones to its myTouch house brand of smartphones, with both devices being built by China’s Huawei.
The new myTouch and myTouch Q devices pack 1.4GHz processors, five-megapixel cameras and four-inch WVGA touchscreens, with the Q version also featuring a slide-out keyboard. Both devices are expected to go on sale Aug. 8 and are priced at $49.99 with a new two year-contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate card.
The new phones build on the “genius button” included on past myTouch devices. The latest version of the feature offers a variety of voice-controlled options, including Web search, app launch and other services powered by Nuance’s Dragon technology.
Separately, prepaid carrier Consumer Cellular said on Tuesday that it is adding a Huawei smartphone as part of its lineup. Consumer Cellular, which partners with AARP, is selling the 3.8-inch touchscreen Huawei 8800 for $175.
Huawei and fellow Chinese device maker ZTE have been making inroads in the U.S. market, in part based on their willingness to make devices sold under the carrier’s brand name. Past myTouch devices have come from — among other companies — Taiwan’s HTC.
That’s not to say that the two companies aren’t still looking to make a name for themselves. Huawei has said that it aims to boost its brand image in the U.S.
The company plans to announce a new brand marketing campaign under the “Access Smarter” tagline. Huawei is kicking off the push with a hands-on exhibit at the Taste of Chicago event this week and plans to sponsor other events with carriers later this year.
