Dell previously confirmed its plans to enter the smartphone business, and China Mobile and Claro in Brazil will be the second largest PC maker's first two supporting mobile operators to sell Dell Mini 3 smartphones, Sina Tech reported on Tuesday.

Dell's entry into the smartphone category is a logical extension of Dell's consumer product evolution over the past two years, Ron Garriques, president of the Dell Global Consumer Group told Sina.

According to Garriques, Dell is developing smaller and smarter mobile products which will enable users to do whatever they want anywhere at any time.

Dell currently has agreements with other global telecom providers as well, including Vodafone in Europe, AT&T and Verizon in the U.S., M1 and Starhub in Singapore and Maxis in Malaysia.

Dell's initial Mini 3 smartphones are Android-based models to deliver power, flexibility and customization opportunities for both users and carriers.

A China Mobile spokesperson said that China Mobile is excited for Dell to be among the first manufacturers to introduce new technology. China Mobile is the largest telecommunications company in the world.

Brazil's Claro, with more than 42 million subscribers, offers innovative content and services in addition to digital infrastructure and coverage with GSM technology.

Claro is proud of being the first wireless carrier in the world to offer the 3G version of Dell's smartphone, said João Cox, Claro's president. He said the move confirms potentials of the Brazilian market and Claro's leading role in introducing innovative products and services to the country.

Dell is not the first PC maker which expanded the businesses due to increasing competition and declining margins in the core of their business. Previously, Acer took the vendor E-Ten smartphones and introduced the Windows Mobile-based devices of neoTouch & beTouch and the Android-based model Liquid.

Electronics Dell China