Orange Santa Clara will be UK’s first Intel Atom smartphone

Orange has announced that it will be launching the UK’s first Intel Atom-powered smartphone: the Orange Santa Clara.

Previously leaked as the Orange London, the high-end handset is powered by the Intel Atom processor Z2460 and features a 4.03-inch 1024 x 600 resolution touchscreen within its skinny 9.99mm-thick frame.

As well as the usual array of pre-installed Orange goodies, there’s also an 8 megapixel HD camera that can  take 10 pictures in under a second, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and integrated NFC technology – so you’ll be able to take advantage of Orange’s new QuickTap Treats reward scheme.

“The Orange device is a fantastic example of the innovation happening on Intel’s smartphone reference design,” said Mike Bell, Intel Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Mobile and Communications Group. ”We are pleased to extend our close collaboration with Orange to Intel-based smartphones. Orange has a long and successful track record of innovation which has produced great mobile products and services for their customers.”

“By combining Orange’s unique applications and services with an attractive high-performance Intel-based smartphone, Orange is once again demonstrating its wireless leadership while providing more value and customer choice.”

There’s no official word on the handset’s release date, although Orange are promising an affordable price-tag.