'Tapout'-edition Huawei Ascend lands at MetroPCS

A special edition of the Huawei Ascend gives the Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone the flair of lifestyle brand Tapout.

March 30, 2011 8:58 AM PDT Follow @jdolcourt

(Credit: Huawei)

Those who find MetroPCS' plain-old Huawei Ascend too tame can now venture for a much hipper model. Tapout, a mixed-martial-arts and lifestyle brand teamed up with Huawei to create the Huawei Ascend Sanctioned by Tapout. (Yep, it's a mouthful.)

One of two special-edition covers for the Huawei Ascend.

(Credit: MetroPCS)

The special Tapout edition comes with two logoed covers (one black, one gray) and is preloaded with 10 virtual training center videos, over a dozen themed wallpapers, and a Tapout app.

The guts of the entry-level Android phone remain the same, with Android 2.2 Froyo beneath the hood, a 3.5-inch display, and a 3.2 megapixel camera.

The Huawei Ascend's Tapout edition will be available within the next few weeks, MetroPCS said in a statement. The Tapout Ascend will cost $199 with $50 instant rebate, and that's without a contract. In addition, two mixed-martial-arts fighters, will visit select MetroPCS stores to promote the handset and the Tapout brand. MetroPCS is offering an additional 20 percent off of Tapout merchandise and a free trip for those who buy the phone.

Article updated at 12:00pm PT with pricing information.