Verizon finally announces SMT5800 smartphone

After months, months, and yet more months of speculation, rumor, and leaked press shots, Verizon has gotten official with its own version of the HTC Libra, the SMT5800. The Windows Mobile 6 Smartphone-based handset is essentially a Vox gutted for CDMA / EV-DO airwaves, featuring a slide-out QWERTY keypad along with a standard numeric keypad up front to fool all your inquisitive peers into thinking it's nothing more than a candybar. The spec sheet reveals Bluetooth 2.0, a 2 megapixel camera, a microSD slot for packing up to 8GB, and a 2.4 inch QVGA display. Find it starting January 21 for $299.99 after rebate on a two year contract -- $199 if you're bold enough to sign up for a qualifying data plan at the same time.

[Via Phone Scoop]

[Itchy Pajamas @ Jan 7th 2008 2:32PM]

That looks big and clunky, but I'll have to check the specs.

I've gotten used to my Blackberry 8830 on Verizon, which works when I'm in Europe. I don't think I could go back to a "CDMA-only" phone. I wish they had more dual-mode phones available.

[eNNtOXX @ Jan 7th 2008 3:06PM]

just another attempt to look cool by verizon. of course by releasing more garbage. ithought the iphone would idontknow beef up the icompetition? anywho, verizon is obviously the epitome of tough love with consumers & locking everything you deserve in a purchase (when it comes to gadgets). but you get what you pay for with verizon (great service & butchered, overly price phones). go figure...

[xxdesmus @ Jan 7th 2008 4:11PM]

Dear Verizon,

Give me wifi on a decent phone for f**k's sake!

[FK @ Jan 8th 2008 8:16AM]

seconded.

[MattS @ Jan 7th 2008 4:21PM]

Just upgraded to the SMT5800 from the Treo 700W...with all the discounts (Advanced device, online, new every 2) it cost $49.99. Not a bad price - we'll see how it performs in a few days.

[Jared @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:33PM]

How did you get it for 49, please explain in more detail, im looking at it, it looks like 349 -100 for 2 year upgrade - 100 for unlimited - 50 mir

[sherry @ Mar 8th 2008 3:23PM]

interested in this phone because of size and external number buttons. want to use it for email, text, data and to tether my laptop. have wireless aircard now. do you tether? is this as fast? really don't want phone service. I need a constant open bluetooth line. this would be a second device.

[Guymelef @ Jan 7th 2008 7:13PM]

It says: "a microSD slot for packing up to 8GB" does that mean SanDisk's newly announced 12GB microSD cards will need new card readers? Or was it just overlooked?

Overlooked I'm thinking and hoping.

[markyoung04 @ Jan 30th 2008 7:21PM]

12 gig micro for a phone...curious why (other than doing what one can to find a flaw) would anyone need that extra 4 gigs?

[Bolivar Baez @ Jan 7th 2008 7:41PM]

Wasn't there a SMT5600?

[Kasona @ Jan 7th 2008 8:24PM]

I was hoping to buy a Vox or Libra this summer, but non of the carriers had it, so I bought a Dash instead. If this had been out at the time, it would have been very tempting.

[The Jedi @ Jan 7th 2008 10:44PM]

Wow, how small do they like their buttons?

[starkruzr @ Jan 8th 2008 12:53AM]

No wifi = fail.

[Skeeter @ Jan 24th 2008 6:11PM]

With VzW, you don't need WIFI. VzW doesn't have "hot spots", they've got coverage.