At the event announcing the Microsoft and China Unicom Windows Alliance Yu Chengdong, Huawei's CEO, showed off the company's first Windows Phone device. The Huawei Ascend W1, which had previously been seen in a number of leaked photos, has a 4 inch WVGA (480x800) screen, a dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB of internal memory, a 5 megapixel camera, and a 2000 mAh battery. The device will be available in China early next year, and is expected to cost around RMB 2400 (£240).
According to WPDang, who were attending the event, the device has a removeable back cover, and is available in three colours: black, white and blue. The media was not invited to handle the device, and the announcement was more of a preview. The device is expected to be officially launched early next year, likely at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.
At a separate event, in Rome, Huawei Italy showed off a number of forthcoming products, including the Huawei Ascend W1, to Italian bloggers. Windows Phone Italy were in attendance and report that the device is likely to be launched in Italy during the first quarter of 2013. The estimated retail price is expected to be under €300.
