First Intel smartphone to debut in India

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SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 19 (UPI) -- Chip maker Intel says the first Intel-powered smartphone will launch this week -- and it will make its appearance in India.

Lava International, an Indian mobile phone maker, will launch its XOLO X900 April 23, to be sold the through India's Croma retail chain, Intel said in a statement.

Under a partnership in February, the XOLO X900 uses Intel's Atom Z2460 1.6 GHz processor, supports HSPA+ and 3G and runs the Android operating system, ZDNet.com reported Thursday.

This marks a long-expected foray into the mobile market for Intel following a failed attempt in 2010, when an agreement with phone maker LG ended with no phones reaching production.

Smartphones with chips designed by British-based ARM and the American company Qualcomm currently dominate the market.

Intel also has an agreement with Chinese phone maker Lenovo and analysts say Intel will use India and then China as test markets before diving into the crowded U.S. smartphone arena.