MUMBAI: Chinese group ZTE has unveiled its first smartphone model Grand X IN enabling Intel processors, which will go on sale in Europe next month.

ZTE announced on Thursday that this new model will mark the start of a wider portfolio of Intel-based products. "This is the first among a number of handsets in the next 12- 18 months,” ZTE European business development and marketing chief Chris Edwards said.

According to research firm CCS Insight analyst Geoff Blaber, Intel has to forge a path into mobile given the sizeable growth opportunity. Failure to do so further risks ARM using its mobile dominance as a platform to attack Intel's core business in PC.

Intel has fallen far behind in processors for smartphones and tablets and is betting its lead in manufacturing technology will help it break into the key growth market.