Samsung announces its first Android phone

The i7500 offers HSDPA and Wi-Fi, and a range of Google services

Samsung has launched its first handset to use Google's Android operating system.

The hardware developer said the i7500 will be released in major European markets in June with a 3.2in touch-screen, 5-megapixel camera, 8GB of onboard memory, and up to 32GB of external memory. The phone is just 11.9mm thick.

Users get a choice of connectivity options, including 7.2Mbit/s HSDPA and Wi-Fi, and a range of Google services, such as Google Maps with GPS support, YouTube, Google Search and Google Talk.

"Samsung is among the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been actively moving forward to introduce the most innovative Android mobile phone," said J K Shin, executive vice president and head of mobile communications at Samsung.

"With Samsung's accumulated technology leadership in the mobile phone industry, and our consistent strategy to support every existing operating system, I believe that Samsung provides the better choices and benefits to our consumers."

Samsung claims to be the first of the three major handset manufacturers to launch an Android-based phone, and has beaten other firms including Sony Ericsson and Motorola.

HTC is the current market leader in the Android stakes, with devices already out in partnership with Vodafone and T-Mobile, and more to follow.

Last week's financial results from T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom revealed that the firm sold more than one million Android G1 handsets in its first quarter alone. Most other companies are anticipating to ship devices from this summer.

Samsung has not released pricing information or UK availability details for the i7500.