Dell Mini 3 headed to AT&T running Android

We've already seen it in China and Brazil, now Dell's first modern smartphone -- the Mini 3 -- is headed to the US in the loving arms of AT&T 3G. We expect the specs to remain pretty much the same: 3.5-inch 640x360 display, Bluetooth, 3 megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, microSD, and GPS, though we'll have to wait to get that confirmed. And from the looks of that pic of a prototype supplied by Direct2Dell, this Android handset will be custom skinned for AT&T. Look for it to hit sometime in the first half of 2010. Bonus pic after the break.

[ai4281 Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:02PM]

Wow... craptastic specs, Dell!

[HardToBelieve Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:07PM]

If you're on AT&T you might as well just get an iPhone. If you're not, it's obviously not worth switching just for this little toy. I'm not sure the iPhone is even enough incentive to switch to AT&T.

[CF542 Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:02PM]

@HardToBelieve: For sure; the iPhone is only $99 to get into and refurb's go for $49, so why spend big bucks for this? I did not see the intro price but my guess it'll be launched at either $299 or $199 with a $99 MIR.
Android devices need to get cheap fast, Apple and Blackberry are priced really low now especially after MIR's. I don't know how much longer the public will be willing to pay double or triple for Android devices.

[Kameo Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:14PM]

An reasonably-priced, unlocked Android phone from Dell, with no mandatory monthly data contract? PERFECT. I would choose it over the non-multitasking iPhone!

[HighestRanked Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:45PM]

@Kameo next year around this time no one will even remember what this was

[resource Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:15PM]

With this Nexus One blowing this away, T-Mo's actually functioning 7.2 3G and AT&T's iPhone struggle why would you do Android on with this?

[barry99705 Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:46PM]

@resource T-Mo's functioning 7.2 3G in what, three cities? They're almost as bad as Sprint.

[CF542 Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:17PM]

@barry99705: To be fair, T-Mobile's updated 3G is running in more than 3 cities and they have the potential to upgrade their network faster than AT&T mainly because their network is smaller and newer. I will bet that by 2011, they will have their 3G network looking better than some would believe.

[tranceman Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:20PM]

PPPFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Ill throw this out my window into my neighboors dogs ass...

iphone > this

[NAME Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:14PM]

@tranceman

wow... what imagination.. if only that power could be harnessed for the good of man kind.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:22PM]

better looking than the Gphone and no stupid trackball... I'd rather have this... and OF COURSE SPRINT DONT HAVE IT

[InnocentEd Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:34PM]

Gotta do better than that AT&T
The MotoBlur Fugly phone and this Lower end whatever aren't enough.

You need something that competes directly with the Droid and the Nexus One. One of your HTC phones better have a snapdragon or better processor in it....don't you dare tease and then hold back you bastards

[InnocentEd Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:38PM]

@InnocentEd
Not that this phone wouldn't be good for many users. But for those of us that read Engadget on the regular love our gadgets and we want the best and the fastest. I am speaking for us in my previous post :)

I could easily get this or the fugly one for family members to let them enjoy the Android world :P

[bluemajik Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:37PM]

bought.

[TareG Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:55PM]

It looks so freakin bland.... how many milliseconds did it take to design this?

I expected more from Dell, when they announced they were getting into the smartphone business.

[HighestRanked Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:42PM]

@TareG dude, it's Dell, what else could you expect.

[zstuff135 Posted Jan 6th 2010 3:19PM]

Meh.

[artshark Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:35PM]

no wifi? thats ajoke, right?

[artshark Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:35PM]

@pachi72
are you the kind of guy who will only drive a car with 500hp?
its a midrange phone, not a N1 killer

[CF542 Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:52PM]

Please pardon my ignorance, but why Mini 3? What happened to 1 and 2? Did I miss something?

Looks Like another "me too" device, but we will see when it arrives. Too bad it is launching on what will be America's slowest data network before the end of this year (IMO).

[cjmahoney Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:15PM]

I have to agree. This may be a cheaper phone in comparison to the iPhone, but with the other Android devices coming to AT&T AND the new webOS devices...this thing is going to sink.

[HardToBelieve Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:55PM]

Does anyone else suddenly miss Dells "Dude, get a Dell!" guy?

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jan 6th 2010 6:36PM]

Many people will be surprised to see Dell making a phone but they've been doing this internationally for a very long time. It's very cool to see them making their first smartphone AND it's android based!! Can't wait to see it!

[abootin Posted Jan 6th 2010 6:45PM]

Does anyone know which version of Android the Mini is going to have? Is it 1.5, 2.0, 2.1....

[xberxinfinity Posted Jan 7th 2010 11:33AM]

i must admit, if the screen was bigger and better resolution, this honestly would be one of androids best looking devices, just seriously look at it, without the thought of it being dell. compared to recent crap (backflip, cliq, droid and nexus one) this thing looks pretty slick. yes i know phones like the droid and nexus one are powerful, but strong people look pretty fuckin ugly too.

ill actually be buying one of these because of its slick look.

[shakeoctane Posted Jan 17th 2010 12:08PM]

This phone looks... Interesting, to say the least, but I would really like a full qwerty slide-out keyboard. Anyone know if this one will have it? So far it looks like a no...

[rah5024 Posted Jan 20th 2010 9:01PM]

I'm sorry but this phone looks like something that I shitted out of my ass...What the hell is Dell thinking? Stick with computers, something you are at least remotely good at....

[kyle shappley Posted Mar 10th 2010 5:02PM]

any word of price? i think it's time for me to upgrade my my AT&T Razr