ZTE is not among the names well-known by US users when it comes to mobile phones, but this has not stopped the Chinese company from sending one of its latest devices to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in order to be approved for usage across the States.

Although it's not clear whether the ZTE A139 (that's how the new phone is named) was approved or not by the FCC, we know that it sports dual-band GSM connectivity: 850 and 1900 MHz for the Americas or 900 / 1800 MHz for the rest of the world. Thus, theoretically at least, it can be released in the US.

Coming in a clamshell form factor, A139 doesn't look bad, but it's only an entry-level device. Its features include a 176 x 220 pixel TFT internal display, English and Spanish interface, a 1.3 Megapixel camera with video recording, microSD card slot (only 3MB are available as internal memory), pre-installed games, calculator, alarm clock and stop watch. The handset lacks EDGE and 3G, hence users will have to rely only on GPRS when Web activities are performed.

When closed, the new ZTE handset measures 93.5 x 47 x 16.1 millimeters (3.68 x 1.85 x 0.62 inches), so we can't say that it's a big clamshell (but neither a small one). The phone comes with a pretty weak 770 mAh battery capable of lasting between 2.5 and 3.5 hours in talk-time mode or between 150 and 200 hours in stand-by mode.

No word yet on the retail price of A139, but it can only be an affordable one, probably no higher than $200.

If released in the US, the A139 will be the third ZTE handset to reach North American mobile users. The first two are ZTE C79 and ZTE C88, which are also clamshells and can be bought from MetroPCS.