Ascend W1
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How would you change Huawei's Ascend W1?
When I reviewed Huawei's Ascend W1 last summer, I was surprised at how much I liked it, considering its bargain-basement price. Microsoft clearly deserves plaudits for getting Windows Phone 8 to work on such low-power hardware, and Huawei made a real effort to produce a solid feeling, well-made device. Unfortunately, the inclusion of a forward-facing camera couldn't make up for a paltry 1.88GB of storage, and I couldn't recommend that you all buy the W1. Instead, I pointed people to the slightly more expensive Lumia 620 - but if you pressed ahead and snapped one of these up instead, what did you think of it? Hop into the forum and share your feels.
Huawei Ascend W1 now available in China for $260, cheaper than Lumia 620 locally
We knew that Huawei's 4-inch Ascend W1 will be hitting the UK at some point this quarter, but the company is once again launching a new device in its home country first. Currently available in black at the official online store, this dual-core, WCDMA 900/2100-flavored W1 is priced at ¥1,599 or about $260, making it the cheapest Windows Phone 8 device you can get in China -- probably something that will help address Huawei's smartphone penetration problem. Better yet, placing an order now will knock ¥100 (about $16) off the order but only while stocks last, so interested buyers better start calling their pals in China soon, especially before they shut down for Chinese New Year early next month! The title of cheapest WP8 device in China was previously held by Nokia's ¥1,999 (about $320) Lumia 620, though in the US it is available for just $249. Given the bigger screen and battery, the W1 might be a better buy, but we shall reserve our final judgement until we get to play with it properly. Meanwhile, somewhere in Redmond, Steve Ballmer is closely observing with a massive grin.
Huawei Ascend W1 launching on O2 in UK, due to land sometime in Q1
A little late to the party, perhaps, but Huawei is finally trotting out that Windows Phone 8 device it promised way back in June. So, when can you get it? Sometime in the first quarter, if you're living in the UK -- O2 just announced the Ascend W1 as its first Windows Phone 8 handset. Specifics on the launch are as allusive as ever, of course -- Huawei would only say that the handset would hit China and Russia in January, though they were more than happy to show off its 4-inch 480 x 800 display and gush over its 1,950mAh battery. Into official, if vague, availability declarations? Check out the press release after the break.
Huawei's Ascend W1 and D2 confirmed for CES, Richard Yu expresses worry over the latter
Huawei's first-ever Windows Phone, the Ascend W1, is no stranger to us at this point, but no one's been certain about its debut until now. After mourning his daughter's two stolen ducks on Sina Weibo, Senior Vice President Richard Yu said not only will his company formally introduce its WP8 device at CES next month, but it'll also be showing off its Android-powered Ascend D2 (pictured center and right). Interestingly, Yu also expressed concern that the D2 "Dream Phone" will be too expensive to produce due to the powerful specs: five-inch 1080p display, quad-core 1.5GHz chip (undoubtedly Huawei's very own K3V2), 13-megapixel camera and 3,000mAh battery -- all according to leaked info from an internal event from late October, as well as a recent filing in the TENAA database. Don't worry, Richard, just give us a decent price tag and we'll be all over you.
Huawei Ascend W1 makes an appearance in Blue and White
We've kept anxious eyes on Huawei's Ascend W1 for a while now, so imagine our disappointment when it was a no-show at the Windows Phone 8 launch. Fortunately, a Huawei employee has tweeted a pair of pictures that show the device in all of its budget-handset glories. Gone are the rounded corners of handsets like the Ascend D Quad, in favor of a boxier aesthetic that sits well with Metro Windows 8 Style whatever we're calling it this week. Hardware-wise, it's believed to be carrying a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 4-inch, 800 x 480 display, 2,000mAh battery and a 5-megapixel camera. There's also an unconfirmed rumor that we'll first see the China-exclusive device at CES 2013, breaking the hearts of impoverished westerners everywhere.
Huawei Ascend W1 render revealed, WP8 in a cyan chassis
Nokia's shown off its Windows Phone 8 wares, so has HTC, and we knew Huawei was bringing a WP8 handset to the table sometime soon, too. That day has finally arrived, as an official looking render of the Ascend W1 has popped up on Twitter. If the picture's to be believed, the Chinese firm's handset sports bright coloration similar to its Windows Phone compatriots, and looks to be a handsome addition to the family. Drink it in folks, the official unveiling is likely just over a week away.
Huawei's Windows Phone 8 handset outed as Ascend W1, supposed launch window surfaces
HTC, Nokia and Samsung have each showcased their initial volley of Windows Phone 8 handsets, but Huawei has yet to reveal the Ascend hardware it promised would run Microsoft's smartphone OS. The firm's Richard Yu took to the social network Sina Weibo and outed the device as the Ascend W1 earlier this week, but kept other specifics under wraps. Citing sources from within the company, Chinese language outlet Winp is now claiming that the W1 will ship between November and December, carry a price tag of 2,000 RMB ($317) and arrive in black, blue, pink and white hues. Though a September 25th unveiling is also rumored, Yu mentioned that Huawei will make it a habit of launching phones as they're unveiled, so it may be a while before the curtain is fully pulled back if the November / December window is correct. Update: According to ZDNet, a company spokesman confirmed that no event is scheduled for September 25th.
