Samsung launches SGH-i320 in France

We haven't heard many peeps out of Samsung about their QWERTY "Q killer" SGH-i320 ever since we noticed its FCC approval a couple of months ago. Well, now it looks like they're ready to bust this thing out, and they're starting off with a launch in EDGE-friendly France. The EDGE smartphone isn't as wide or tall as the Motorola Q, but the phones both share that thinner-than-a-RAZR 11.5mm thickness. There's 120MB of included memory, along with a microSD slot, so Windows Mobile 5.0 should have plenty of room to play, but the QVGA display is a mere 2.2-inches, so some squinting might be in order. The phone includes Bluetooth, dual-speakers and push-email support, but we're still without a clue as to the actual launch date or specific carrier. We're also curious if Samsung can manage to compete with the Q at that $200 (with subsidies) price point, but we guess we'll find out soon.

[eight @ Jun 14th 2006 12:12PM]

"We're also curious if Samsung can manage to compete with the Q at that $200 (with subsidies) price point, but we guess we'll find out soon."

European phone susidies are usually a lot higher. Even top models like the HTC Universial can be bought for $150 with a contract. I doubt that this phone will be more than $50.

Remember that it's a tri-band GSM phone aimed at the
European market only. It's main competitors will be the Nokia E61 and Sony Ericsson M600i, rather than the Motorola Q.

[Daryl @ Jun 14th 2006 12:22PM]

when will we see Palm or Window Mobile devices with a 800x400 screen and a Decent webbrowser? I think that would make a very good replacement to a laptop.

Why is nokia the only company that has thought of this?

[jabar @ Jun 14th 2006 1:11PM]

Korea isnt even a tropical country...Anyway, the phone looks good..

[Pete @ Jun 14th 2006 1:43PM]

France, being the obstiantley independant place that it is, doesn't use QWERTY keyboards, but rather ASWERY. So I guess they'll either reprogramme it or not sell very many...

[simon @ Jun 14th 2006 1:55PM]

its not ASWERY but rather AZERTY. and that just describes the first six letters, all the other ones are in pretty weird places too. I hate having to type anything when i go to france, so i would imagine that a QWERTY keyed device would not be well received over there.

[Mike @ Jun 14th 2006 1:59PM]

Since this phone will be available as GSM first, Cingular or T-Mobile will try to get the exclusive.

I hope it's Cingular, since T-Mobile's coverage in my area is bordering on non-existant. Strange that this wasn't CDMA first since Sprint sells lots of Samsung phones. That would seem to be an ideal fit...

Hopefully this thing will come out sooner than later.

[sbb @ Jun 14th 2006 2:00PM]

... we use AZERTY keyboards in France, not ASWERY (maybe it sounds the same but it isn't ;) )

Why yellow Nails? what a strange question... as strange as asking why do occidental women use mainly red for their nails... different culture, different tastes...

[simon @ Jun 14th 2006 2:04PM]

I see some silly comments, but nothing even remotely racist. maybe you should be a little less sensitive (read: stupid?)

[Korey @ Jun 14th 2006 2:06PM]

horrible screen size like the width but the height is bad and the keypad looks like shyte

[Jay @ Jun 14th 2006 2:13PM]

Lamisil for her thumb?

[wesrubix @ Jun 14th 2006 2:16PM]

I'm curious if the "circled" area for each number will allow you to hit any key within it to hit the number, e.g. the e key is also 1 in number mode, but there is a circle around the e and r keys, so might a user hit r and also get 1 in number mode? That would be an interesting feature to reduce worrying about which tiny key to hit.

I have a q now and that's my only usability problem with it: sometimes my fat fingers hit the wrong number.

[Matt W. @ Jun 14th 2006 2:27PM]

Ew, look at the nails.

[lclarke @ Jun 14th 2006 3:19PM]

No way fingers with nails like that can work that keypad.

[Paul G. @ Jun 14th 2006 3:47PM]

It's funny how they sacrificed screen space for a Samsung logo.

[rico @ Jun 14th 2006 4:57PM]

it's coming around september '06. no price mentioned.

[bboe @ Jun 14th 2006 5:25PM]

I REALLY like the thickness/thinness compared to my 6700 but the lack of touch screen sucks. If it had the full WM5 on it so I could run all my apps and touch screen activation I would trade in my 6700. I'd prefer to trade screen space for the keyboard and Samsung logo space though.

[Churn @ Jun 14th 2006 9:25PM]

Can someone please tell me when Samsung has been innovative? All they do is copy whatever's popular out there. I work at a telco here in Australia and I get access to some handsets before they are available widely. The only piece of Samsung hardware that has impressed me is the SGH-P300 which I'm using now - love that leather case thing.

[Tim Marman @ Jun 15th 2006 9:24AM]

Any word on Quad-band or US release of this device?

I may still pick it up if possible with the Euro Tri-Band, because 1900 seems to be fine for me in NYC. This looks sweet, and better than waiting for the GSM Q for another 6-8 months!

[Terral @ Jun 15th 2006 1:23PM]

Too small of a screen for my liking. Boo for no touch-screen.

[Alexandre @ Jun 16th 2006 4:41PM]

I think this could be a Blackberry killer ! Plus would be release in France with an AZERTY keyboard and not a QWERTY one... last will be one of the first Windows Mobile smartphone that will support Stereo Bluetooth...
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