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Samsung Propel Pro review
Earlier this month at CTIA, AT&T launched quite a few new phones into its lineup, one of which happened to be Samsung's sophisticated, college-educated Propel Pro. For a smartphone, the design is quite unorthodox; rarely do you see a WinMo handset that looks more like a square than anything else and can easily double as a mirror for the fashionistas. Engineered specifically for those who favor texting but can't afford to live without the luxuries that come with owning a bona fide smartphone with a bona fide data plan, the Propel Pro caters to an interesting niche. Follow us past the break for our thoughts on the just-launched handset.
Samsung Propel Pro goes on sale at AT&T
Say you're a little too grow'd up for the Propel -- where does a text-centric Samsung fan on AT&T turn next? That was a pretty hard question to answer until today, because the smartphone remix of said phone -- the Propel Pro -- has now launched at retail. The ultra high-gloss slider with full QWERTY features a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA, Windows Mobile 6.1, and a perfectly square 320 x 320 display for $149.99 on contract after rebate -- a tough sell against the cheaper E71x, perhaps, but hey, if you're the WinMo type, the E71x never even crossed your mind.
Samsung Propel Pro video hands-on, now with more keyboard
A number of folks wanted video of AT&T's Samsung Propel Pro and a better view of the keyboard. We just couldn't get it the first night and coupled with the horrible lighting, the results would have been miserable anyway. So we did one better and combined both in one well lit video. We checked the device's browser, too, but sadly the signals in the building weren't helping us out. Enjoy the tour right after the break.
AT&T's Samsung Propel Pro hands-on
AT&T's Propel Pro ups the ante not only in build quality and material, but the new set is also reborn as a proper smartphone thanks to the inclusion of Windows Mobile 6.1. Though like its predecessor, we find a QWERTY keypad for the much loved messaging features, a 3 megapixel camera, and a well thought out and put together metal housing -- though the latter does add heft to an already chubby device. So, what do we like? Well, the display is right on, the keypad is solid, and the $149 price tag is definitely going to win it some fans looking for a messaging device that'll do a bit more. The heft on the other hand is a bit much, and we're still troubled by the almost square form factor, but what do we know, people loved the Samsung Propel. We'll take some more time to get to know it tomorrow and hopefully add a little video to the mix -- and some decent lighting.
"The stuff's in the back": AT&T previews its new lineup
AT&T's done us all a favor by doing its own quick hands-on of three of its more hotly-anticipated devices in its just-announced spring lineup -- the Nokia E71x along with Samsung's Propel Pro and Impression -- and putting together a little video of the action. Our lovely host Seth (if that is, in fact, his real name) gets ushered to the rear of a corporate-owned store before opening where the new devices lie in wait, and while us lay folk won't be able to buy any of these for a few days, the dude's able to give us a quick video tour of each unit's finer points. Each of the three devices looks exactly as you'd expect it to, but notably, the Impression's AMOLED touchscreen really seems to shine (literally) with an insane viewing angle and an almost paper-like appearance; in fact, if he hadn't changed screens, we'd almost have thought he was playing with a dummy unit. Follow the break for the video (don't worry, the stuff's in the back).
AT&T pulls trigger on Nokia E71x and Samsung Propel Pro
Kicking off what's sure to be a fun-filled week of announcements surrounding CTIA out in Vegas, AT&T's smartphone lineup just got a little beefier thanks to the official introduction of a couple devices we've been expecting for a hot minute now. First up, the Nokia E71x is just about ready for shelves, bringing WiFi, AT&T Navigator (which hopefully won't preclude the use of Nokia Maps and other GPS-enabled apps), and all of the lauded physical design characteristics you're used to from the original, unbranded E71. The best thing here might be the price -- just $99.99 on contract after rebate, thankfully beating rumors of $200 and $150 by a country mile; it'll hit shelves "in the coming weeks." Next up is the Samsung Propel Pro, a device that shares very little in common with its Propel namesake other than a form factor, mainly because this sucker's a full-out smartphone running Windows Mobile 6.1. It's got WiFi, a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard (naturally) and will be available on April 14 for $149.99 after all your discounts have been applied and your two-year agreement is filed away.
Nokia "Piranha" touch smartphone, others coming to AT&T? (Updated: probably just the E71x)
We've just been graced with a new trunkload of tentative -- very tentative -- release dates on AT&T, and while most of the devices were already rumored for launch, one is definitely sticking out here: the Nokia Piranha. We're assuming that's a codename, but the device is described as a "thin" smartphone with a touchscreen -- which can only mean S60 5th Edition -- and what's more, it's currently slated for a March 24 release. (Updated: see note below.) Speaking of touchscreens, a Samsung Impression touch slider with a 3 megapixel camera is due on March 26, the Propel Pro should hit a bit earlier on March 19, and the LG Xenon -- which is once again being spelled "Xenon" instead of "Zenon," so who knows -- is expected on April 9 with a 3 megapixel cam in tow. Speaking of LG, that Neon we've been hearing about (notice a noble gas theme here?) apparently won't be dropping by until May 9, and it'll only be EDGE, just like its Rogers-based cousin. On Samsung, we've got a device here that's being called the "BJ 2" with a 3 megapixel camera also launching on May 9, which we're assuming is actually the BlackJack 3 or something to that effect seeing how there's been a BlackJack II on the market for a hot minute now. Finally -- drum roll, please -- that AT&T-branded Sony Ericsson C905 we saw a ways back is currently slated to come around on June 9. Let's hope this one doesn't get canceled, eh?[Thanks, Kal]Update: Sadly, AT&T almost certainly screwed up the description of the Piranha -- it's likely just the E71x. We're weeping quietly to ourselves over here. Not to say the E71x won't be a fine phone, but it would've been awfully nice to randomly see a crazy touchphone from Nokia on AT&T out of the blue, wouldn't it?
Samsung Propel Pro in the wild, caught on camera
More spy shots from the net, eh? This latest set shows what's purported to be the Propel Pro, an update to Samsung's QWERTY that launched last October. There's a more streamlined interface under the screen, including a new optical joystick that according to Boy Genius Report's source is "worthless." The Windows Mobile 6.1 device also sports 3G and a camera of unknown quality, although we expect to at least match its 1.3-megapixel predecessor. Mum's the word on price and availability.
