INQ Mini 3G and INQ Chat offer slimmer, sexier angle on "social mobile" segment
By Paul Miller 
posted Aug 3rd 2009 9:20PM
posted Aug 3rd 2009 9:20PM
We had a look at the phones, and while the style might seem aggressive for some, the build of both phones is pretty quality for the target market, and they're certainly tighter in the design department than the INQ1. The keyboard on the INQ Chat is quite good, especially for featurephone land, and we like that INQ kept some T9-style predictive text in the software to make QWERTY use even more of a pleasure. No, these phones still don't replace smartphones, but they're designed to be a low-cost alternative to the smartphone for carriers, who are a little tired of heavy phone subsidies and intense data use from the iPhone types -- and sure wouldn't mind making a few bucks off your Facebook addiction. Unfortunately, there still aren't any plans for bringing these phones to the States. INQ is "in talks," but for now these handsets are Europe bound, and should hit stores by Q4.
Looks like a recycled HTC Ozone + Samsung Rant.
I mean seriously. Do they even sell these?
Most phones today are capable of handling apps and can already support these features. Damn good too.
if its cheap, ill pick one up.
Yeah, that's pretty much the big selling point of the INQ1 - it's stupidly cheap even on pay as you go. Think it's £70 at the moment through three and they're running a great PAYG deal of £10 top up getting you 600 free texts, 150Mb of internet, free voicemail, free 3-to-3 cals and free Skype. Oh, and the £10 worth of calls obviously with all bonuses lasting 90 days.
I'm currently running a Skypephone S2 on that deal and will seriously consider upgrading it to these if they're around the same price as the INQ1. Might not be the all-singing all-dancing iPhone (which I'd love to have) but it also doesn't cost £200 for the handset and £35 a month for the next 18 months.
Cool, I've been waiting for this update. A full smartphone is overkill for my needs. I've been really tempted by the INQ1, but I was holding out for Twitter.
BONO!
Man that looks like a motorola i335 but what do i know.
Yeah must admit, they look pretty crap. The INQ1 looked nicer.
Looks like an E71 fused with a bold with th mytouch 3g colors
This on some kind of prepaid scheme would be perfect for my two Teens
Is this story still breaking?
We've got the INQ1 in Australia on Hutchison's Three network.
Prices are pretty good on a plan actually: http://budurl.com/INQplan
And here for prepaid: http://budurl.com/INQprepaid
Looks like a nextel version of a e71
If these phones are like the INQ1 then they have a HUGE disadvantage compared to their competitors: their silly operating system.
Aren't Android and S60 FREE nowadays to phone developers? Not being able to install apps of your choice is a huge downside to these phones. If these are made in China, then dual-sim, dual-standby would have been nice too (these are very common in China).
The solid, metallic feel still is a plus.
ooh - an e71 with hopefully a decent camera.
Wonder if you can get these in the UK without being tied to 3.
I'd put my t-mobile sim in and flog my e71.
@crankcaller I have friends with the INQ1 and E71, and can vouch for the former having a better camera. I mean, neither phone has a brilliant camera (despite the E71's Carl Zeiss optics), but the INQ1 lets in more light, has a faster shutter speed so isn't so sensitive to movement, and it doesn't darken the front of a subject which has daylight *behind* it like the E71.
Really, these are damn innovative handsets for £110 and £70 on PAYG. I can't think of a handset anywhere near this price-point in Europe that offers such features.