Leaked Lenovo Windows Phone is genuine, due second half of 2012

By Tom Warren, on 30th Nov 11 5:50 pm with 30 Comments

Lenovo Windows Phone?

Lenovo has confirmed that it is planning to release a Windows Phone device next year.

Pictures leaked of an “S2″ Lenovo Windows Phone last month running the latest “Mango” operating system update. Rumors and speculation on Lenovo’s Windows Phone plans has existed for at least a year. Lenovo’s LePhone Product Manager, Yue Chen, confirmed the authenticity of the leaked images in an interview with iMobile on Tuesday. “We are indeed currently considering a Windows Phone-based LePhone product, and we already have a clear release schedule,” said Chen. “It will be released during the second half of 2012,” he added.

The confirmation follows news earlier this week that Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch Chinese Windows Phones in early 2012. The software giant has reportedly picked an initial retail launch partner in China to distribute the devices. Suning, a high street electronics retailer with 700 stores in China, is expected to partner with Microsoft for the Windows Phone launch. Lenovo is believed to be part of Microsoft’s Chinese Windows Phone plans. Microsoft also recently expanded its Windows Phone Marketplace to India and opened up its developer support in China. Windows Phone developers in China can submit applications to the Marketplace but end user support has not yet been enabled. Microsoft is expected to launch its Marketplace in China in early 2012 alongside a handset launch.

Lenovo Windows Phone leak

Image Credit: winphonexap.com

  • http://twitter.com/teusje teusje

    looks like a samsung focus

    • Anonymous

      Just came to say that.  I hope nokia really does succeed as they have designs that aren’t terribly generic.

    • Anonymous

      I use to really love black and glossy electronics.  I think it was a reaction to when everything computer related was beige.  But I have to admit im getting a little tired of black now.  I really like the blue and even pink colors on the new Lumia 800.

    • OMG55

      The topside of this device is curved much more than the focus. Only the bottom side of the focus is curved like this but the focus looks much better.

  • http://twitter.com/ondraster Ondra Moravek

    Nothing special…

    • Guest

      Does it have to be for the Chinese market? If it can run WP well and the price is cheap, seems like they could sell a lot of them. And Lenovo usually has good build quality. At this stage any endorsement is a good thing, particular one from one of their larger PC OEMs.

    • http://twitter.com/OldCongress Gamer

      Agree

  • Anonymous
    • Anonymous

      So,
      now tell me how you can put 1 operating system (Windows Phone 7) on another (oPhone – Android based operating system)?

  • Meelis Lilbok

    too “roundish” :)

  • http://www.gadgeterija.net Denis Jelec

    No matter how hard I try, I simply can’t “connect” that curved outer shell with Metro based interface. ’tis a probability this is a prototype, though.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t want my hardware to be Metro too :s Metro phones would have sharp edges etc. Metro UI is enough for me.

    • http://www.gadgeterija.net Denis Jelec

      Not necessarily so (sharp edges) – Lumia 800/710 don’t have sharp edges, although I do realize this is merely a matter of taste. :)

    • Anonymous

      The Omnia 7 is a good example of the hardware matching metro well.

    • http://davepermen.net davepermen

      I still just wait for a Microsoft Phone looking like the Zune HD. that would be the perfect wp7 phone for me.

      And yes, curves.. seriously? :) (loving my omnia, but even that has too much curves for my taste)

    • http://www.gadgeterija.net Denis Jelec

      My thoughts exactly. :) I’ve always wanted a phone resembling ZuneHD. That little piece of gold…

  • Anonymous

    looks like an over-grown egg…

  • Anonymous

    Looks nice. Nothing special, but the real beauty lies within.

    • http://twitter.com/hammeredpizza Louis Sandiford

      “Real beauty lies within.” – isn’t that just something ugly people say?

    • Anonymous

      *sigh*

      ________________________________

    • Anonymous

      Yup! 

      And the saying, “She has a really pretty face” is another way of saying she’s fat. ;)

    • Xledger

      I agree. And very often, it is used to imply that inner and outer beauty are mutually exclusive. So really, it’s a low blow to things/people that are beautiful both on the inside AND outside.

  • Anonymous

    Wonder why they need to wait for 2012.  Is lenovo trying to get a Nokia type deal for Chinese markets?

  • Guest

    Hey look, they’ve added a tile for the USB Mini Penguin Speaker. Now that’s going to put it over the top!

  • Anonymous

    Did Lenovo buy all the original Focus units and rebrand them?

    • Guest

      Chinese companies don’t buy/rebrand. They just clone and re manufacture. 

    • http://davepermen.net davepermen

      they don’t even have to clone. they just actually manufacture them all.. :)

  • http://circuitsoft.tumblr.com CircuitSoft

    there should be a small frame to unleash the beauty of metro.

  • Sales Manager

    anyone notice the pic was taken by @joker / android

  • Abhinay Potluri

    2nd half of 2012 for a samsung focus look-a-like phone? 
    You kidding right?