The Huawei Ascend P2, claimed to be able to download films in minutes, has been unveiled as the Chinese manufacturer looks to capitalise on huge growth in 2012.
Huawei overtook BlackBerry to become the world’s third largest smartphone maker in the fourth quarter of last year and has announced a 60 percent annual rise in its shipments.
The latest device, unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona yesterday, runs on Android software and connects to the web two or three times faster than other smartphones when using Wi-Fi.
Richard Yu, Chief Executive of Huawei Consumer Business Group, said: “Ascend P2 is the perfect combination of elegance and power, and further proof that there’s no need to compromise when desiring a perfect smartphone.
“It is evidence of the outstanding smartphone experiences and great technology that we are committed to bringing to consumers globally.”
The device will first be made available in France, on the Orange network, in June before a global roll-out. No specific dates have been given for the smartphone’s launch in Africa.
