Let's get the tough stuff out of the way up front. The T-Mobile Concord is manufactured by ZTE, runs Gingerbread, and packs a pretty meager 2MP camera. Don't worry, though. This phone shall not have been mortally wounded in vain. With a price of $99 off contract (with certain plans*) from T-Mobile or Wal-Mart, it doesn't look like too bad of a deal for smartphone users on a tight budget. If you're in the market, you can pick one of these up on August 26th.

While most of our readers will be entirely uninterested in a Gingerbread phone made by ZTE, it's still very interesting to note that high-speed phones are becoming available for so little money. Arguments over whether HSPA+ counts as "4G" aside, it's capable of pulling down some pretty fast speeds. In the past, if the average consumer wasn't getting a new, high-end smartphone, it wouldn't be worth it. Today, that's not the case anymore.

That being said, manufacturers, please stop using Gingerbread. I know you guys plan out your devices many months in advance, and this phone was probably on someone's to-do list before ICS came out, but that window on that excuse is closing fast. Gingerbread is quickly nearing two years old. Even budget smartphone users should be getting more than Android 2.3 for their money.

*Note: It sounds like the price of the device will remain the same no matter what plan you get. Some plans have a contract, others don't. So if you want a contract-free plan, be sure to ask your rep to clarify when you sign up to ensure you don't accidentally sign a 2-year.

T-Mobile Expands Its No Annual Contract Android Lineup with the T-Mobile Concord

T-Mobile to offer its most affordable no annual contract Android smartphone for under $100

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Aug. 23, 2012 — T-Mobile USA, Inc., today announced the availability of the T-Mobile® Concord™, T-Mobile’s most affordable no annual contract Android™ option for those stepping up to their first smartphone. The Concord will be available to T-Mobile customers through a variety of no annual contract plans, including via T-Mobile Monthly4G™ and Walmart Family Mobile™.

Manufactured by ZTE, the T-Mobile Concord is equipped with the necessary features to keep customers connected with friends and family. The 3G smartphone is powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and is ideal for basic Web surfing, searching for a location via Google Maps or accessing favorite social networking sites. Coming in a sleek, midnight blue color finish, the new smartphone features a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display and is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, making it easy to capture and share memories.

Paired with one of T-Mobile’s single-line, Monthly4G no annual contract plans, customers have access to unlimited talk, text and worry-free data that doesn’t have a hard cap or result in overage fees, as well as access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G network. The T-Mobile Concord can also be paired with Walmart’s Family Mobile service, a monthly, no-annual-contract wireless plan option for individuals or families, also powered by T-Mobile’s nationwide network.

The T-Mobile Concord is expected to be available at Target starting Aug. 26 for $99.99 with a qualifying Monthly4G plan. The T-Mobile Concord is also currently available at Walmart for $99.98 paired with a Walmart Family Mobile no annual contract plan.