In spite of all the exciting pre-CES announcements we’ve been seeing over the last few days, one company has been preparing a somewhat less-than-enticing device – specifically, ViewSonic with a new low-end handset that’s been dubbed simply the ViewPhone 3.

While this won’t be Viewsonic’s first foray into the low-end Android market, it will be the company’s first US smartphone – and let’s just say it won’t exactly be sparking a revolution. Have a look at the specs that have been made official thus far:

  • 3.5-inch display (unknown resolution, but don’t expect miracles)
  • 5MP camera
  • 800 MHz Qualcomm processor (presumably single-core)
  • Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
  • 3G (no 4G)
  • Support for two SIM cards

Described by ViewSonic product manager Mike Holstein as a phone for the “value seeker,” the ViewPhone 3’s perhaps single defining feature is its price tag: $250 – off-contract. It should start shipping sometime in March, with the target market being Latin America (though, again, it will also be made available in the United States). As for American carrier availability, it likely won’t offered with a two-year contract by any carrier (ViewSonic has, unsurprisingly, had difficulty finding a partner); instead, it will be sold as an unlocked device compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks. 

On an arguably more inspiring note, ViewSonic reportedly has plans in place for higher-end successors to the ViewPhone 3, and according to Forbes, these successors might be unveiled as early as the middle of 2012. Additionally, ViewSonic is said to be unveiling several more models of its ViewPad tablet at CES – we’ll keep you posted.

Source: Forbes via Android and Me