Altek teases 'Leo,' monster 14 megapixel smartphone for unveiling next month

We don't have a lot of detail to work on here, but Altek -- a company that's no stranger to ridiculous optics slapped on the back of a phone -- is chatting up its new Leo model that will officially bow at next month's CommunicAsia show in Singapore. It's being ominously called a "smartphone" without talking about the platform at hand, but judging from the key layout, we're going to fathom a guess that it might be running Android. Around back, you have a zoom lens parked in front of a 14 megapixel sensor that's capable of 720p video capture, and the support for WiFi and HSPA alike should help you ferry those shots to where they need to go. Pricing, availability, and other pertinent details will hopefully follow -- but for now, follow the break for another teaser shot along with Altek's PR.

Show full PR text

altek Launches "Leo", the World's Smartest

14 MP, 3.5G Professional Camera Phone Powerful Optical Zoom Lens Takes the Smartphone to the Next Level

Altek Corporation, a global leader in the design and manufacture of digital cameras (TWSE: 3059) is pleased to announce its imminent launch of Leo, the world's newest, smartest 3.5G professional camera phone. Operated via its generous touch screen panel, Leo delivers 3.5G (HSDPA) functionality and features a 3x optical zoom and 14 megapixels CCD. Altek plans to launch Leo in June at CommunicAsia (CMMA) in Singapore.

Alex Hsia, president and CEO of Altek, notes that, "picture taking has already risen to become one of the most important mobile phone functions for consumers. Phones able to capture high definition, high quality images and video are a win‐win for users as well as telecommunication service providers, as the latter can anticipate rising bandwidth usage rates when users share images remotely."

"The Leo mobile phone," Alex continued, "is the product of our accumulated advances and breakthroughs in imaging technology as well as Altek's continued refinement and improvement of optical technologies. Stylishly designed, Leo plugs users into a wireless world of excitement and fun. Its high‐end digital camera and video functions means Leo users need never again let a special moment pass by unrecorded. Leo's high definition digital images (14MP) and video (720p HD) can be uploaded instantly to the Internet via onboard Wi‐Fi and 3.5G connectivity for sharing with friends and family."

[trunksy Posted May 27th 2010 1:46PM]

Does the lens recess into the phone when not in use? That'd be hot!

[hey buddy Posted May 27th 2010 2:30PM]

@trunksy It actually digs into your ear, no need for a bluetooth headset.

[Po Posted May 27th 2010 6:07PM]

@trunksy

No trunksy, you interface with it by attaching the neuro synaptic conduits that grow from your cortexes to the aforementioned antennae of the camera lens...

[skyblaze Posted May 27th 2010 1:46PM]

hey, i never heard of aitek before... wonder what they're all about

*clicks aitek link*

"SORRY, THERE ARE NO POSTS TAGGED AITEK. YOU SHOULD TRY SEARCHING INSTEAD"

*clicks searching*

"NO POSTS WERE FOUND. HAVE YOU TRIED SEARCHING THROUGH GALLERIES OR TAGS?."

*clicks galleries*

"THERE ARE NO AITEK GALLERIES. YOU SHOULD TRY SEARCHING, OR CHECK OR TAG DATABASE."

*clicks tag*........................

[TC Posted May 27th 2010 2:06PM]

@skyblaze I thought they were called ALTEK not AITEK? Maybe this is why the tags aren't working?

[skyblaze Posted May 27th 2010 2:45PM]

@TC

look at the link in the first sentence of the article... confused the hell out me :\

thanks for clarification... id've been clicking in an endless circle for the rest of my life :P

[skyblaze Posted May 27th 2010 3:38PM]

@skyblaze

aw, he changed it... now this thread doesn't make sense anymore...

[TangledThorns Posted May 27th 2010 1:48PM]

OMG, that's a killer phone. If they can pull this off we soon won't need to carry point & shoot cameras anymore.

[DoctarPeppar Posted May 27th 2010 1:48PM]

I don't really care about still picture resolution -- I think anywhere from 5-8 MP is a "sweet spot" -- 720p video is nice though, as long as it doesn't drop frames. If they are seriously concentrating on camera specs, I would expect them to have both a xenon and LED flash -- xenon for stills and LED for video. Android would be cool -- they should also add HDMI, and DLNA -- maybe some DiVX support as well as H.264, if they are pushing a media centric device.

[216 Posted May 27th 2010 1:48PM]

They must not have heard that the Megapixel wars are over.

[Kasnblack Posted May 27th 2010 1:49PM]

Looks sleek, I want one, and i would want it if it runs Android on it.

[tnkgrl Posted May 27th 2010 1:50PM]

@Chris Z, I was also thinking Android when I saw this a few hours ago... Even with a vanilla CPU & display for Android, assuming the camera is any good, this phone-camera could be worth it!

The last phone-camera I imported from Asia (3 years ago) was really nice, other than the so-so dumbphone part: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2007/02/08/i-mobile-902-first-impressions/

[McIncredible Posted May 27th 2010 1:53PM]

have been waiting for this. not a camera in a phone, a phone in a camera. better be android to be worth anything.

[meeku Posted May 27th 2010 1:55PM]

Hey Chris, the company is actually called altek - the clue is subtle, but you can just about make out the name on the phone if you look carefully...maybe worth noting for future reference.

[drivera1210 Posted May 27th 2010 1:55PM]

Why are they concerned about megapixels. how many people with 6 or 8 megapixels have blown their pictures up to the full potential. If you need high resolutions shots there are DSLR cameras for that purpose.

[Plazmic Flame Posted May 27th 2010 2:09PM]

It's all pointless if there isn't a decent battery inside... with all these smartphones and the features they have. We need at least 2000 mah batteries as stock.

[pika2000 Posted May 27th 2010 2:09PM]

Stuff phone in pants, turn on the camera...

[GregV8 Posted May 27th 2010 2:21PM]

...and judging by the photos they call themselves ALTEK because they work with ALUMINUM.
@Engadget please fix the typo!

[FitFan Posted May 27th 2010 2:24PM]

A smartphone measured in megapixels?

[Geaux Posted May 27th 2010 2:25PM]

"Is that an Altek Phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me...?"

[ai4281 Posted May 27th 2010 2:27PM]

Can we just agree on a single button order, for gods sakes?!?!?!

Every Android phone's 4 buttons should be back -> menu -> home -> search.

This really gets to me. Arghh.

[hey buddy Posted May 27th 2010 2:32PM]

That's not even a nice RENDER, Altek.

[mavoric Posted May 27th 2010 2:58PM]

Firstly I want! Finally a decent camera on a phone, specially if its got what looks like a zenon flash)

Secondly, Engadget either you've not read the company name on the press release or they've got it all wrong as you have spelt Aitek instead of ALtek (notice the i and the L)

[mavoric Posted May 27th 2010 3:00PM]

@mavoric

* on an Android phone

[sonicwind Posted May 27th 2010 2:58PM]

Cool. There's absolutely no reason why technology shouldn't combine one more device into the cell phone/web browser/pda/calculator/computer/webcam device, this being a high quality digital still and video camera. No reason at all. Make it water proof and 4G, with a pico projector and you've got yourself a deal!

[Shalabi Posted May 27th 2010 3:06PM]

I could see women wanting to carry something like that in their front pockets.

[bjjones Posted May 27th 2010 3:32PM]

The other phone manufactures should take a cue from Altek regarding construction, materials and build quality as this is a beautiful constructed phone.

[Spensar Posted May 27th 2010 4:01PM]

HOLY SHIT WANT

[Dahis Posted May 27th 2010 4:27PM]

forget the "/s"?

[Johnny Rockets Posted May 28th 2010 1:52AM]

Why would anyone want such a high end camera in a phone?

Or let me rephrase, who would be willing to pay the extreme premium for this, when they probably already have a high-end stand-alone camera?

If you want to take high-end pictures (or need to for business purposes), you'll probably be using a stand-alone camera... Not sure who this is aimed at especially since the camera premium will add a few hundred dollars.

[JRKScope Posted May 28th 2010 7:43AM]

I've already got a Leo in my pocket ;)

(xda_dev visitors will get what I mean)

[flett Posted May 28th 2010 2:33PM]

@summerboy18 ... this thing has 14 MP's and will still probably cost less than another "new" iPhone. and i highly doubt they will come out with a 'Leo 4GS' in 3 months just to make you feel like a fool for paying too damn much for a phone