Samsung's flashy new i730 QWERTY Pocket PC phone

What can we say? We claim loyalty to no one—not the Treo 650, nor the BenQ P50, nor anything else. So yeah, we'll admit our heads were definitely turned by this hot little Samsung slider number, the i730, which is host to some pretty impressive features: dual-band EV-DO, Windows Mobile for Pocket PC, 2.8-inch QVGA (240x320) 65,000 color touch screen, 64MB RAM, SDIO expansion card slot (What? Someone say WiFi?), dual stereo speakers, and our fave… a full QWERTY keboard hidden underneath that sizeable screen. It's small, it's slick, and we may just have a new cellphone flame (and we're guessing it's slated for a Verizon release). Click on to see a couple more pictures of this little hottie (for reference, it's almost identical size to the Treo, maybe just a bit bigger).

[Brian Behrend @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Could the Samsung logo be any freaking bigger? And there's two of them on the front of the thing. Maybe the big one at the bottom is just a placeholder for something else coming later? I hope.

[Jason Royals @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

This is awesome. Anything about bluetooth?

[Gavin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

If Verizon is putting it out, I'm sure it won't have bluetooth. My PowerBook is kicking me for not being able to sync my phone!

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Once again, someone copying a bad design. Why are these people so reluctant to use a simple horizontal clamshell? Look at that thing, with the portrait layout not only does the QWERTY keyboard force the phone to be too wide, but it also forces the keyboard to be too skinny. Bah.

[Sharon Phone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Hey Jason...if you don't like the design and want some goofy horizontal clamshell, check out the SideKick II...Just don't post that negativeness here...

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

One can only hope Sprint will pick this up and allow bluetooth tethering under their less-than-clear new policy.

[Vince Veneziani @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Heh yeah. My powerbook is kicking my ass too. Next phone HAS to have bluetoof. I hate Verizon.

[jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

dO WE HAVE ANYMORE INFO ON THIS PHONE? IS THIS COMPARABLE TO THE TREO 650? WHAT IS BETTER OR NOT BETTER ABOUT IT?

[rob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I agree a simple clamshell arrangement would be so much better. Problem is, there's a spec for pocketpc (I think Palm OS has one too) that the screen will be of a certain size and shape so that developers can know how to do layout. This is one for Microsoft - the smartphone is great but its going nowhere because people don't want to type on a 10-key. create a new Windows CE profile that addresses a horizontal clamshell device that can have QUERTY and a 160x320 display ratio and that will be something to see. you could even include pocket word and excel at that point (something not included with smartphones).

[Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Why not build WiFi into it? Or are thy hoping for a faster speed cell data sevice??

[Matt Coddington @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Do a Google search for Samsung i730 and you will see an entirely different phone. Is the model number of this new PPC unit perhaps a typo?!
I wonder how long it will take for this to be offered by Verizon - the "Harrier" unit is pending release very soon, and I personally think it will be more successful...
If you aren't familiar with the "Harrier" device, go to Sprint's Business pages on their site and look up the new PPC-6601.
Available NOW on Sprint, and soon on Verizon. Yipeee!!! Can't wait!

[Matt Coddington @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

RE: WiFi - Sprint and Verizon are taking the (foolish) path of having WiFi capability taken out of any Pocket PC Phones they carry, largely because they want you to pay for their high-speed networks! If a user had WiFi on their device, they fear that person will NOT subscribe to their $$$ data plans, and instead, seek out a HotSpot to do their heavy-duty surfing...
Idiots...

[Baigsaab @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

forgive me for being a dummy... but do we have a camera in this one... also... when can we have a GSM version for this one? or is this one of those which Samsung was planning to launch as a multi-mode/multi-band mobile phone...

[Rich Brome @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

In reply to comment #1: the big, grey, oval Samsung logo is just a sticker they used to cover up the carrier logo (Verizon, I'm guessing).

[Michael Katz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

matt....i did a search for the i730 go to www.phonescoop.com check that out because well....samsung doesnt make an i730 yet except for this the i730 is made by motorola it just happens to be the meta links that have i730 and samsung in it

[Brandon Hyde @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Looks like a Treo killer to me. The screen is bigger, the keyboard is bigger, more memory. Check out the pics at mobileburn - especially the back view. If you read the ring around the lens, you can make out "mega pixel camera" at f2.8 aperture and (are you listening palmone) it HAS A FLASH!

[Pete_L_P @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

In response to jason (comment 7):

IMHO, by far the biggest difference is EV-DO. EV-DO means that if you use verizon now, in one of their many EV-DO cities, you'll get 300-500kbs data speeds, rather than 60-100kbps. (With this phone you'll get the 60-100kbps speeds elsewhere.)

Thats a wireless internet speed improvement of 5X. Verizon is rapidly expanding their EV-DO coverage areas and Sprint has also announced EV-DO is coming soon beginning this year.

Other advantages are flash, megapixel camera, and larger screen.

I doubt this phone will compare with the Treo in finesse and usability. Treo is just super with their handling of D-PAD and very friendly phone dialing for contacts etc.

Nonetheless, this phone's pluses may end up being much greater than its minuses.

Pete

[Pete_L_P @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

In response to the clamshell comment:

Jason

A horizontal clamshell keyboard is great for email and heavy text editing no question. But for people who drive a lot, it's VERY BAD for one handed phone dialing. Treo is great for that. One handed operation is generally a pleasure, and it's quite usable for two thumb editing.

OTOH, the MPx's two way design (vertical OR horizontal clamshell) might be closer to the ideal. As for myself I'd have to use them to know for sure.

Pete

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

In response to Pete:

That's why you'd put the number pad (along with a small, basic LCD screen) on the top of the clamshell lid. See the Motorola a630 or the Nokia Communicator to see what I mean. Those models have their own issues (features, screen size for the Moto, size, ugliness for the Nokia), but most smart phone companies are just wasting time with these old Palm-Pilot portrait layouts (and fancy slide-out variants) that don't work well as a phone OR a keyboard. They fail in two of the most basic ergonomic areas.

I also wish cell phone companies would get a clue with their choice of button style. Mostly they are all too small, too flat, and too stiff. I know this is sometimes to prevent accidental presses but even flip phones have these annoying problems. Engineers had it right way back with the Franklin Language master and the old HP calculators; the stiffness of the HP keys was balanced well with their spacing, high profile, and click travel. You shouldn't have to use your fingernails to press a button. It's not that hard, people! Okay this is getting off-topic now.

[willie eckerslyke @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Pity it is not Palm OS.
Willie

[John J @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Does anyone know if this new phone will have blackberry capability to work with the RIM system?

[Pang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

If this will have the Blackberry push, it will be a homerun device and corp guys will clamor for it.

[Pang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

If this will have the Blackberry push, it will be a homerun device and corp guys will clamor for it.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

i730

Let's just say I happen to see some advanced Sprint sales stuff a while back.

Wi-fi Built in....remember Sprint is starting to rev up its national wi-fi network!!

Did I meniton that this phone was for Sprint?

[Cliff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I own a 29 year old phone because no manufacturer or carrier wants to offer the phone of my dreams. They still don't get it. It is not the up front money that matters, it is the ongoing charges and lack of capabilities of devices. This one may come close 'Dream'... cdma, tri-mode, bluetooth, wi-fi, sync.

[Cliff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I own a 29 year old phone because no manufacturer or carrier wants to offer the phone of my dreams. They still don't get it. It is not the up front money that matters, it is the ongoing charges and lack of capabilities of devices. This one may come close 'Dream'... cdma, tri-mode, bluetooth, wi-fi, sync.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I own the samsung i700 and love it. I like the i730 concept, qwerty keyboard and all...but i really would miss the swiveling camera that my i700 has. I wont upgrade this phone until the camera offered on a new model is at least 2.1 or 3 megapixels. I like the nice big screen on my i700, but the smaller form of the i730 is definately appealing. Now if I can only get my i700 to take video.

[Demetrius @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

As a current owner of a Sprint Treo 600, the biggest hesitation on my upgrade to the 650 is the modest update-instead of a big leap to the forefront of the smartphone world like the 600 did when it came out! This i730 looks like it will make waves rather than ripples! If it is on Sprint, consider my next smartphone a Samsung i730!

[Carl @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Does anyone know which ver of Windows for PocketPC it comes with? Does it have a Secure Digital (SD) slot?

I was thinking Harrier (which is already out for Verizon without the camera)...but that does not have Wi-Fi (although it does have Bluetooth--any thoughts?

Thanks,

Carl

[Skilz1 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

First and foremost, I must say that I think PalmOne has done a great job with new Treo 650. The new additions the company has provided to the recent Treo model have proven to be profound, and although I don't currently own the 650, I have toiled with it a few times over and have felt content and eager to buy since the first time I laid eyes on it. That being said, now to the gritty: I have been tracking the recent developmental upgrades by cellular phone companies to faster data-accessible speeds for there wireless networks, specifically Verizon and Sprint, since they deal with CDMA technology. I am dissatisfied with the fact that the 650 does not incorporate wifi, although I have heard rumor that PalmOne will provide a compatible driver to support their wifi SD card (can any one verify). I have read that the GSM Treo will support EDGE technology, which is good high speed data solution in it own right, but my question is whether PalmOne has an answer to the situation of EV-DO, specifically for the Treo phone. Even though I am a PalmOne fan, and as much as I would love to purchase the Treo 650 phone, with the recent release of the Audiovox XV6600, and upcoming releases of phones like the Samsung i730, it would seem foolish to buy a phone which could not take advantage of this advantageous technology. Does anyone know if PalmOne has plans in store for taking advantage of CDMA EV-DO?

[Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Will i730 be available without requiring the use of an additonal data plan?
Some may think I am crazy for buying such a high end phone and not using a data plan but I just want a nice PDA, MP3, Phone , and I dont want to pay for an extra data plan.
I was going to purchase the Audivox 6600 last week but Verizon rep said I had to purchase an additonal data plan.
Seems to me that a simple software disable feature is all it would take to suit my need.

I hope the i730 emerges with this feature and also with voice recognition software.

[thangbom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Any news when Samsung will release this i730 stuff? I've been waiting for so long, and my iPAQ is getting old everyday. How about the release of this product in South east Asia? Somebody can provide me a link?

[thangbom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Any news when Samsung will release this i730 stuff? I've been waiting for so long, and my iPAQ is getting old everyday. How about the release of this product in South east Asia? Somebody can provide me a link?

[luthiensdad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

mid to end of March trhtough Verizon, apparently:

http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2427

[Magpie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

middle to end of march? well, it is the end of april. I really need a phone, and i really want this machine. Is it worth the wait, or will this be a must have for christmas? Could they possibly be waiting for high schoolers' graduations within the next few weeks? However they are marketing this is very aggitating.

[BB @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Totally agree with Magpie. What gives with these folks. Just let us know so we can plan. This has gone beyond suspense to aggrivation!

[Chris Perkins @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Yeah Im getting pissed.....its the May and its not out for Verizon nor is the treo650. Supposedly they will release the 650 before the i730 which to me means this thing wont even make it to stores til June or July.

[Alvin K @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Good review and good gadgget. but the only draw back is i730 does not come with camera for verizon carrier.. does anyone know where I can buy the unlock version with camera ready?.. :(

[Peggy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I just bought the new I730 and I can't figure out why it goes into stand by and how can I get that to not happen. I guess it pretty much turns itself off. If anyone can let me know how to turn that part off, I would greatly appreciate it.