AT&T lets loose a pre-paid Android device from ZTE

I always seem to forget there are pre-paid phones and plans out there on the market. Since I forget about the importance of non contract freedom, I often times skip right past anything new that might benefit the pre-paid community. Often times the devices that full pre-paid support are less than desirable options and generally don’t see much lime light. I think they should get a little more focus because there are some pretty decent options out there the credit challenged or the die-hard no contractors.

One of latest addition to AT&T‘s line up also included a pre-paid Android device named the Avail. It is nothing out of this world, but will get the average user by for a while until they get hooked and want more. The device has a few nice features included, a 3.5″ screen, a 5mp camera and Android 2.3. The remaining specs remind me more of a G1 though –

UMTS 850/1900/2100
GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Internal memory: 512 MB ROM, 512 MB RAM, 2 GB microSDâ„¢ card
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
3.5-inch capacitive touch screen
5 MP autofocus camera and video recorder
Seven customizable homescreens
Wi-Fi capable

Pricing for the Avail wasn’t released today, but judging by the specs on this lower-end device I can’t imagine them asking more than $149 for it.

A word of wisdom – At least from my experience with T-Mobile, any device can be used on pre-paid service. You might be better off looking for a used AT&T Android device on various outlets like Craigslist before you run out and buy one of these devices. I know a friend of mine just picked up an unlocked T-Mobile LGÂ G2X for $50. It needed a battery panel. Works perfectly.

Source: TalkAndroid