The Inexpensive Huawei Ascend From Cricket Does The Pre-Paid Android Dance

The pre-paid wireless carrier, Cricket, is getting serious about smartphones. The Huawei Ascend joins the BlackBerry Curve 8530 and the Android-powered Kyocera Zio, but hits at only $149 rather than $229 like the two other smartphones. Don’t think it’s lack, either, because it’s rather loaded for a contract-free smartphone. A 3.5-inch HVGA screen is front and center, while a 3.2MP cam is around back. Android 2.1 powers the device and offers all the bells and whistle you’d expect including full access to the Android market. Simply put, this is a complete phone.

Of course it’s up to you whether you opt for this low-cost alturnative over a traditional Android device. But at only $149 up front and month-to-month plans costing $55, it’s a solid deal.

Cricket Shows Respekt with First Ever Low-cost Android Device

~Wireless Innovator First to Launch the Industry’s Best Priced Android Device Huawei Ascend on All 3G Network~

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cricket Communications Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), today announced the upcoming launch of the Huawei Ascend, the first low-cost Android device to hit the Smartphone market in the United States* and the third Smartphone to be included in Cricket’s dynamic line of phone offerings.

“It’s the lowest cost, non-contract Android device in the market complete with all the features and functionality users want. This truly exemplifies our mission to provide our customers with meaningful wireless services while offering more choices and fewer restrictions.”
Marking the innovative wireless provider’s steadfast dedication to respecting budget-conscious customers, the Huawei Ascend will be available starting mid-October at a suggested MSRP of $149.99 in Cricket branded retail stores, select dealers and on www.mycricket.com. The sleek, value-priced device has a 3.5” HVGA touch-screen, Wi-Fi capability, 3.2MP camera/camcorder, MP3 player and microSD slot, and a virtual QWERTY keyboard. Operating on the Android 2.1 OS, the striking, dark blue Ascend will offer 3G Real Web Browsing and access to the Android Marketplace, providing Cricket customers with the freedom to choose from tens of thousands of popular apps, including social networking, games, business tools and more.

The feature-packed Ascend will be offered on Cricket’s all-inclusive $55 Android plan, which provides users with unlimited talk, text, 411 information, navigation, international text, unlimited and video picture messages, unlimited data services on the company’s reliable all 3G network, and more. Additionally, customers utilizing the $55 rate plan have free access to MyBackup, a system that enables subscribers to automatically protect, store and edit their mobile contacts online and without the need for data cables.

“We are excited about launching the Huawei Ascend,” said Matt Stoiber, vice president and general manager of devices for Cricket Communications. “It’s the lowest cost, non-contract Android device in the market complete with all the features and functionality users want. This truly exemplifies our mission to provide our customers with meaningful wireless services while offering more choices and fewer restrictions.”

Cricket is the first carrier to offer the new high-function, low-cost Ascend, the third of three Smartphones recently launched by the value-focused, innovative wireless company. Cricket launched the Blackberry Curve 8530 and the Sanyo ZIO by Kyocera in August.

For more information about Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, please visit www.mycricket.com.

*Based upon MSRP for an Android device without a requirement of entering into a long-term contract.