Huawei Vision pairs Gingerbread with HTC and Samsung style [Update: Price]

Huawei, so far, has been content to push out low-cost Android smartphones and the odd tablet; now it seems the company has set its sights far higher. The Huawei Vision pairs a 3.7-inch touchscreen with Qualcomm's 1GHz MSM8255 processor, 512MB of RAM and 2GB of ROM, and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread in an HTC-style unibody chassis that will be available in silver, rose gold and charcoal.

On the back is a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of both stills and 720p HD video. Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a microUSB 2.0 port, along with a microSD card slot (for up to 32GB cards) and GPS/A-GPS. Sensors include the usual array of G-sensor, proximity and light, and there's a 1,400mAh battery too.

That's impressive, considering the Vision is only 9.9mm thin at its narrowest point, and weighs 121g. Huawei has managed to squeeze in an GM radio, and preloads various 3D games – including perennial favorite Angry Birds – and its own 3D interface on top of the Android UI.

Looks-wise, it's a blend of HTC unibody from the back and a flattened-out Samsung Nexus S from the front, though we're guessing with a Huawei-style low price tag. Availability is in "selected markets" starting from September, pricing tba.

Update: Tentative UK pricing, courtesy of SuperETrader, which is offering pre-orders for the Vision at £279 pre-tax ($457). The retailer does warn that official pricing is yet to be finally confirmed. [Thanks Paul!]