Thanks to Sprint, Android smartphones have finally arrived in the mid-range cell phone sector. The Android devices, which normally cost around $200, can now be owned by paying $50.

If you want to buy a cheap Android-based phone, you have to wait until October end, when Sprint will start shipping LG Optimus S for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate.

According to Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of marketing and innovation for LG Mobile Phone, “LG Optimus S brings users closer to social networks, applications and online resources that mean the most to them and creates a smartphone experience that is unique, easy to navigate and convenient for life on the go.”

LG Optimus S users could enjoy prominent Android features with the smartphone powered by the Android 2.2 operating system. This affordable Android device features a 3.2 inches capacitive touch sensitive display with over 262 thousand colors support, accelerometer and ambient light sensor.

However, this LG device might disappoint users who prefer a real QWERTY keyboard for typing messages. LG Optimus S users should remain content with the virtual keyboard of the full touch device.

For snapping photographs and recording videos, LG has added a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and 2x zoom to the Optimus S handset. The functionality of the device will be handled by a 600 MHz processor.

Optimus S users could access a wide array of Google and Sprint services. The Android Market will be the major source of downloadable apps. The 3G enabled handset could be used in Mobile Hotspots where you can simultaneously use up to five different Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Optimus S feature a built-in music player, Bluetooth, GPS, 512 MB internal memory and microSD memory card slot, which supports memory expansion up to 32 GB. Sprint subscribers could access Sprint Music, Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation with the Android phone.

Google Search, Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps are preloaded in the Optimus S handset. This LG device will also support Wireless Backup. This Android device features Sprint ID for downloading apps, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers on predefined themes.

The charcoal gray LG Optimus S handsets will be available with the Everything Data plans of Sprint.