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Samsung still makes Windows Phones: ATIV SE up for pre-order at Verizon
With Windows Phone 8.1 now free, we may start seeing more announcements like this: Verizon's just put the Samsung ATIV SE handset up for pre-order. As we saw in an earlier leak, it's essentially a high-spec Galaxy S4 with Windows Phone 8 (not 8.1) instead of Android. Though that's been superceded by the Galaxy S5 on Android, the internals are still not too shabby, especially for a WP8 handset: a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core CPU, LTE, 2GB of RAM, a 16 13-megapixel camera and a 2,600mAh battery. Naturally, Samsung's also thrown in its own goodies whether you want them or not -- though some, like the TV remote control app, actually look useful. Verizon says it'll ship them out by April 12th at the latest and, if you go for one at $200 on a two-year contract, you'll even get a second for free.
Samsung ATIV SE leak hints at April launch, warmed-over Galaxy S 4 specs
Samsung's ATIV SE hasn't been a terribly well-kept secret, but we've heard precious little about the Verizon-bound Windows Phone beyond its use of a 5-inch, 1080p display. However, tipsters have given The Verge hardware specs that will seem very familiar. If the leak is accurate, the ATIV SE will be a higher-end Galaxy S 4 variant with Microsoft's OS slapped on top -- you should see the same Snapdragon 800 processor, 13-megapixel rear camera, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. Those specs could still make it a potent device, but they hint that Samsung is once again recycling an Android design. If you don't mind the reused components, you'll be glad to hear that the ATIV SE could be coming very soon. The smartphone is reportedly launching on Verizon in April (minus Windows Phone 8.1), pitting it directly against Nokia's similarly specified Lumia Icon. [Image credit: @evleaks, Twitter]
