As the resident AT&T user here, I think the news that AT&T is taking up the Android mantle is great. However, the press release gave us only 3 specific pieces of information. They said that among their 5 Android phones would be: 1) “Motorola’s unique form factor smartphone”, 2) Dell’s first smartphone, based on the Android platform 3) An exclusive HTC smartphone, based on the Android platform. Other than this, we exist in an information vacuum. This is to be expected, as the Nexus One has rightfully captured everyone’s attention. But if you look at what’s floating around in the pool of unclaimed Android handsets, we can get a sense of possibility. Let’s go through the 5 handsets, and see what we can confirm, and what we can speculate.
Motorola Backflip – CONFIRMED
The Motorola Backflip has been confirmed to be the “unique form factor” Motorola phone for AT&T. It was mentioned at CES, it was shown in pictures at AT&T’s presentation, and even Motorola’s site with AT&T 3G. You can read more about the Backflip here.
Dell Mini 3 – CONFIRMED
“Dell’s first smartphone” isn’t that hard to figure out either: it’s the Mini 3, which was introduced at CES, and again, was shown during AT&T’s CES presentation. By the specs, it’s a middle-of-the-road handset. The screen is 3.5 inches, with a respectable (if unorthodox) 360×640 resolution. The processor, at 622MHz, won’t blow you away, but is at least a step up from the 528MHz chip found on most Android handsets. At 256MB, its memory is the bare minimum of what I would buy on a phone in 2010. Dell apparently has some special software customizations that make the Mini 3 (and 5) unique. However, our latest information (barely 2 weeks old) says that the Dell Mini Android software is based on Android 1.6.
Dell Mini 5 – ALMOST CONFIRMED
Interestingly, the Dell Mini 5 (the tablet formerly known as the Streak) is the next most likely Android device that will come to AT&T. Why can we say that? Well, it was briefly demoed at CES, where the Mini 3 was introduced. It makes a good deal of sense for Dell to stick with one carrier for its fledgling smartphone business. Then, late last month, Michael Dell himself confirmed that the Mini 5 was coming stateside. The final nail in the coffin came just yesterday as ubergizmo found the FCC filing for the Mini 5. Guess what flavor of GSM 3G the Mini 5 has? (Hint: not T-Mobile’s). While won’t confirm this device as being offered through AT&T yet, because because AT&T could refuse the hefty subsidy, an AT&T-subsidized Mini 5 still seems likely. With the iPad available unlocked and unsubsidized at $630, a $1000+ Mini 5 would sell very few units.
HTC Bravo/Incredible – VERY LIKELY
This one is still formulating in the ether, but the mythical HTC Bravo (you know, the 3.7 handset whose specs are shockingly close to the Nexus One’s?) may now be known as the HTC Incredible. Carl Channon over at Phandroid did some digging and noticed that in those leaked brochures about the Bravo, it’s referred to several times as “The Incredible”. The Bravo has been rumored to be many different US-bound phones, including the Nexus One (it’s closest technical cousin), the HTC Passion (a CDMA device, likely the Verizon Nexus One) and the HTC Dragon (which turned out to be the Nexus One). Now, it’s set to be released in Sweden in March, as the Bravo. This is all very confusing, but step back from it for a moment.
HTC has internally discussed 4 near-identical Android devices. All 4 are all-touch, have 3.7 AMOLED screens, Snapdragon processors, and 5MP cameras. The HTC Dragon turned out to be the GSM Nexus One. The Passion is CDMA, and a Verizon (and Sprint-compatible) Nexus One has been announced. The HTC Bravo appears to be a non-Nexus One version bound for Europe. Finally, we’ve been seeing pictures of the HTC Incredible, which is running SenseUI on top of Android 2.1. It seems very likely that this will be a US-bound, GSM handset based on the Bravo platform. And, as the only Android 2.1 handset running Sense UI in the US, that would make it a very nice AT&T exclusive, as mentioned in their press release.
SonyEricsson Xperia X10 or Acer Liquid – POSSIBLE
One other concrete fact we have is that at least two other Android handsets have been approved by the FCC with AT&T-compatible 3G. Those two handsets are the Acer Liquid, and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. AT&T does have a history of working with Sony Ericsson, but we haven’t even heard a peep about the X10 being offered through AT&T. It may simply be available through SonyStyle stores unlocked for use with AT&T.
HTC Legend or Buzz – POSSIBLY POSSIBLE
From the leak of HTC’s Q1/Q2 roadmap, we saw two interesting phones: the Legend and the Buzz. Both are GSM, both have 3.2 inch screens, but the Legend has a faster processor, an AMOLED screen, and an optical scroll ball (like the aforementioned Bravo/Incredible). Either could find a slot as the “Exclusive” HTC handset or could slide into the still-open 5th slot in the lineup. The Legend and Buzz are set to land stateside in March and June, respectively. Read more about the HTC Legend here and the Buzz here.
HTC Tattoo – UNLIKELY
The HTC Tattoo, the most feature-barren Android handset to date, HAS cleared the FCC. The only way this would be released on AT&T would be as a budget handset, with a possible price point around $99. However, an EDGE/Wifi only device seems unlikely with so many attractive 3G-able phones available.
GSM HTC Hero – NOT HAPPENING
A month or so ago, it was widely reported that the FCC had cleared a GSM phone that looked exactly like the HTC Hero. However, this was apparently a knockoff handset. Besides, it would make no sense to release the Legend before the
Google Nexus One – ???
You probably think that I put the Nexus One last because I wanted you to read the article. I promise that’s not the case. The fact of the matter is, we simply don’t know that the Nexus One will come to AT&T. But, but, but . . . an AT&T-friendly Nexus One was rumored even before the Nexus One launch, and now we have this FCC filing in our hot little hands. Surely this confirms it, right? Right?
Sorry, but just because the FCC approves a device for use in the United States, does not mean that a company has intentions to sell it there. The FCC also approved an AT&T 3G-equipped version of the Milestone (a.k.a. the Droid), which is exclusive to Verizon in the United States. Why approve a device which can’t be sold here? Let’s not forget about America’s Hat. (Disclaimer: my Father’s family is from Ontario so I make that joke with the utmost respect for my roots, eh?).
Oh, Canada. The Milestone is sold through Canada’s Telus network, and given roaming agreements between the United States’ networks and Canada’s, the FCC had to approve it for use in the US, even though it won’t be sold here. The exact same thing could just as easily be happening to the Nexus One.
The case is being made very loudly for the Nexus One on AT&T, but it mostly is made up of people who are stuck with AT&T and really, really, really, really, really want a Nexus One. Like me, for example.
If the Nexus One were available on AT&T, wouldn’t it cannibalize the sales of the other 4 Android phones they sell? If the Nexus One was available for $179 on AT&T, would anyone buy the Bravo/Incredible? Or the Mini 3?
On the other hand, if Google’s going to make an AT&T 3G-compatible version of the Nexus One, why NOT sell it in the United States, with or without AT&T’s approval or subsidy. Plenty of people have already paid the higher price for the “unlocked” Nexus One. And quite a few people would be willing to sell their iPhones and buy a Nexus One. Again, like me.
