Bellevue, Wash. - Android-based smartphones could be poised for a further market-share gain in the coming months with the launch of Android smartphones priced down to $9.99 at T-Mobile.

The carrier also unveiled lower cost data plans and a Wi-Fi tethering plan.

 T-mobile's low-priced Android phones are:

• T-Mobile Comet, available Nov. 3 at $9.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement and qualifying data plan. It will also be available as a prepaid phone in Best Buy, RadioShack and Target stores at less than $200;

• LG Optimus T with Google, available Nov. 3 at $29.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement and qualifying data plan;

• Motorola Charm, which is already available at $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year agreement with qualifying data plan;

Motorola Defy at $99.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year agreement and qualifying data plan. An availability date wasn't released.
The launches will follow a launch by Sprint of two of its own low-priced Android phones. One is the LG Optimus, which became available Oct. 31 in Sprint channels at $49.99 after $100 rebate with data plan. The other Sprint phone is the Sanyo Zio from Kyocera. It debuted Oct. 10 in Sprint channels at $99.99 with two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

To go with its low-cost Android quartet, T-Mobile unveiled lower data-plan prices that it expects to offer sometime during the holiday season. For a limited time, a 200MB/month plan will be available for $10 per month with a new two-year service agreement or $15/month without contract. A new unlimited plan will be available for $30/month. Both plans must be paired with a voice and text-message plan.

The carrier's Wi-Fi tethering plan lets users connect their Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or other portable device to the Internet via a WiFi-equipped cellphone. The tethering plan at $14.99/month is available only in conjunction with the $30/month unlimited-data plan.

Here are the details on each of the four new T-Mobile phones:

  T-Mobile Comet: The device features 528MHz processor, 2.8-inch full touchscreen display and 3.2-megapixel camera. It's targeted to consumers said to be "ready to make the affordable transition to their first smartphone." It's available in black.

LG Optimus T: The device features customizable home screen, 600MHz processor, 3.2-inch full touchscreen display and 3.2-megapixel camera with video capture. Features include voice command. It's available in burgundy or Titanium finish.

Motorola Defy: The scratch- and water-resistant device is also dust-proof and features Motorola's Motoblur social-network and contact-aggregation service. It comes with 800MHz processor, 3.7-inch full touchscreen, and 5-megapixel camera with flash and video capture. It's available in black and Linen colors.

 Motorola Charm: Also with Motoblur service, the Charm features full QWERTY keyboard, 2.8-inch touchscreen, Backtrack touchpad on back to simplify onscreen navigation, 600MHz processor and 3-megapixel camera. It will come in Golden Bronze or Cabernet colors.