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Samsung Forte is the SCH-R910, brings TouchWiz LTE action to MetroPCS (video)
Look familiar? You've actually seen it twice before, once as a QWERTY slider and once as an unidentified LTE smartphone. Well, it just so happens that a new batch of eighteen pictures have surfaced, and the two phones are actually one -- this is the Samsung Forte for MetroPCS, which is presently running a recent build of Android 2.2.1. While we still don't know if it's got the 1GHz processor and 5 megapixel camera that lovingly accompanied the original rumor, it appears to have Samsung's custom TouchWiz UI on board, lending extra credence to the possibility that the handset might receive Galaxy S branding when it materializes in stores. We've got just one last note here, and that's this whole reveal feels rather... planted to us. Watch the video after the break to see what we mean, and find plenty more pictures at the link below.
HTC 7 Pro and Gratia get anglicized, heading to the UK in February
Oh, there's no need to act like you're surprised, fellow Brits. As promised, HTC's going to dish out its latest budget Froyo Android and flagship WP7 slider to the UK next month. Just a quick recap: the "pearl white" Gratia -- which is the international version of the Aria -- sports a humble 600MHz processor, along with a 3.2-inch 480 x 320 LCD and a 5 megapixel camera with VGA camcorder. As for the 7 Pro, it packs the bog standard WP7 specs (1GHz Snapdragon, 8GB storage, and 5 megapixel camera with 720p recording), as well as a slide-and-tilt 3.6-inch 800 x 480 display that reveals a landscape QWERTY keyboard underneath -- the tilting part still a first for WP7. Sadly, it doesn't look like any carriers have picked up either handset yet, nor has HTC shed light on their standalone costs, but hey, patience is priceless.
Nokia puts E7 up for pre-order in Finland, planning on delivering in February
One of the most delicious phones the consumer world hasn't had a chance to taste yet is firming up plans to finally make its way out to retail. Nokia's Finnish store has put the E7 up for a €599 pre-order, which is expected to get the all-business device to your door some time in February. That matches the last word from Nokia on the subject of the E7's release and should reassure anyone who's made use of Amazon's early pre-orders for this handset that the wait won't last much longer. [Thanks, Esko]
T-Mobile G2 free on contract for a limited time, Android buyers have never had it so good
Want one of the best Android handsets around, equipped with a dandy keyboard and some pseudo-4G internet connectivity? Taking the leap into Google's mobile world just became that little bit easier as T-Mobile has decided to strip off the last remaining $50 on its G2 contract price and set it loose for free on two-year deals. This will be a quite familiar sight to our European readers, but premier Android handsets rarely, if ever, occupy such sweet price points in the US. Let's hope it's a harbinger of happy things to come. [Thanks, Dani S] Update: This pricing is only valid between now and January 20th, so if you want in, better do it soon.
Keepin' it real fake: Nokia N9 doesn't wait for mature MeeGo to launch in China
As with the N8, so with the N9. Nokia's first MeeGo device is widely expected to be dubbed the N9 and sport a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but its elongated time to market has given Chinese KIRF artists the chance to beat Finland with their own device. Parsing together leaked pictures and perhaps some insider info we're not privy to, some crafty folks have put together the above 14mm-thin slider, outfitting it with a 3-inch screen, front- and rear-facing cameras, Bluetooth, WiFi, FM radio, microSD card slot, dual SIM capabilities, and an almost entirely metallic construction. The OS is some sort of Symbian lookalike, while the price is an eminently affordable 700 yuan ($106). You'll just need to find the right market stall in Shenzhen to get yours.
HTC 7 Pro arriving on O2 Germany 'next week,' priced at €569
Last we heard of the HTC 7 Pro, it was taking a casual stroll through O2 Germany's website, throwing around boasts that it'll be on sale come January 2011. Well, guess what? That promise has just been reiterated by O2's German Twitter stream, which says that the 7 Pro will be on sale next week for an unsubsidized price of €569 ($735). That's available via O2's usual MyHandy payment plan, where you dish out €29 in advance and then pay off the phone in equal monthly payments over two years. We can't imagine HTC leaving the rest of the world sitting idly by, twiddling their QWERTY keyboard-loving thumbs, so look out for this WP7 handset to filter through to your local market some time soon. [Thanks, Mario]
Motorola Cliq 2, first hands-on
So, now you know what Motorola's Cliq 2 is all about, but how does it feel? Much like a cheaper, curvier Droid 2, to tell you the truth -- as you'd expect when the device comes saddled with very similar specs. It's pleasantly weighty like the Droid, and similarly stylish, though the capacitive touchscreen didn't respond quite as readily to our touch, though that could be the effect of the hefty MOTOBLUR UI layer rather than an issue with the digitizer. The keyboard's actually a bit more tactile, with domed soft rubber keys, and the hexagonal honeycomb arrangement felt refreshing compared to the some of the buttons we're used to. We didn't have loads of time with the unit, but it could be a decent alternative to the T-Mobile G2. We'll let you know when we find the time for a full review -- in the meanwhile, check some snapshots below. %Gallery-112819%
HTC EVO Shift 4G headed for a January 9th launch at $150, according to RadioShack leak
HTC's worst kept secret (this side of the Thunderbolt) has popped up online again, this time as part of some RadioShack promo materials, which list its price, launch date, 4G capabilities, and screen size. Earlier indications had this Android slider launching on January 9th at a $150 price point with a two-year contract and now, lo and behold, both data points seem to have been confirmed. $450 is the price for the EVO Shift 4G sans any carrier obligations, though you'll probably want to stick with Sprint to make use of that WiMAX radio contained within. Bring on 2011 already!
HTC EVO Shift 4G spotted in the wild, said to have 800MHz CPU
We had our doubts the last time we encountered an HTC EVO Shift 4G, but it looks like they were mostly unfounded -- here's Sprint's new QWERTY slider in the flesh -- armor finally shed -- revealing a chrome bezel beneath. PhoneArena obtained these pics from an anonymous tipster, who says the device has an 800MHz processor much like the T-Mobile G2, and while we can't infer much more about the internals than we have before, there are a few new things to note: HTC Sense is alive and well, there's a particularly large camera module buried in the smooth plastic back and a headphone jack up top, and it appears there's a pair of status LEDs for Caps Lock and Function Lock right above the keyboard. See two more pics of the device at the source link below, while we wait for Sprint to own up.
T-Mobile drops the G2 to $50 on contract, really wants you to buy one
Pretty self-explanatory really: the T-Mobile G2 is now available to buy for a measly 50 greenbacks from its carrier's online store. It's a web-only deal, but it's sweetened by free overnight delivery for anyone ordering before the 20th of December. So, $50 and two years of your wireless freedom in exchange for a phone capable of exploiting T-Mobile's HSPA+ network and offering an almost stock Android experience? Decisions, decisions.
EVO Shift 4G (aka HTC Knight / Speedy) shows up in accessory pics, exhibits dubious dress Sense
Can't have enough Androids in your life? Well, here's another one! Alternately known as the Knight or the Speedy, HTC's upcoming Android device has made a couple of premature photo appearances in an effort to help sell some cases for its future self. The guys at HTCPedia report they have all the cases in their imagery in stock and confidently identify the Speedy Knight as a 3.7-inch QWERTY slider, while the phone's UI and rear inscription leave no doubt about it running HTC's Sense skin for Android. The likeliest scenario for this phone's retail future is that it'll be dubbed the EVO Shift 4G and exploit Sprint's WiMAX airwaves, leaving the only unresolved issue as a one-word query: when?
Dell Venue Pro finally available to order: $99 on contract, shipping December 9th
The much-delayed and much-desired Venue Pro is now finally ready for its proper launch. Dell has begun taking online orders for its first Windows Phone 7 device and prices are set at $99 for the 8GB handset or $149 for the 16GB version -- both on two-year contracts with T-Mobile as your carrier -- or, alternatively, you can snap them up for $449 or $499, respectively, if you just want the phone by itself. Shipping is promised for December 9th and there's even free delivery if you have a couple of business days' worth of patience. So, what are you waiting for? [Thanks, BeeMichael]
HTC Merge emerges on Verizon site a little early
Far be it from us to tell Verizon how to do a product launch, but showing off a 360-degree view of the HTC Merge before the phone's even been announced doesn't seem like the soundest strategy to us. Of course, we doubt anyone intended for this Flash module to have become public knowledge like it has, but sure enough, a forum member over at Android Central spotted it among VZW's web properties and now we can all take a multidimensional look at this upcoming Android handset. Yes, that includes seeing it with its sliding QWERTY keyboard open -- you can find more imagery of that after the break -- though the pivotal questions of when, for how much, and "can you disable Bing?" remain unanswered for the time being. Ah well, let's just enjoy the eye candy.
HTC Surround and LG Quantum available for $0.01 at Amazon this weekend
Want the cheapest way to try out Windows Phone 7? Outside of getting yourself hooked up with a job at a tech blog, Amazon might have the very finest option for you with its newly discounted $0.01 pricing on two AT&T handsets for the new platform. The HTC Surround and its slide-out speaker are available immediately whereas the LG Quantum, which slides to reveal a more conventional QWERTY keypad, is on back-order. Fear not, though, both will cost you a mere cent when obtained in conjunction with a new AT&T line and a two-year bond with the carrier. We might still prefer their European counterparts, but you can't deny these phones look to be priced just about right for what they are. Shame that this pricing will only last through the weekend.
BlackBerry Torch now burns in red and white hues at AT&T stores
Right on schedule, a day before Windows Phone 7 hits its stores in force, AT&T is letting a couple of new BlackBerry Torch SKUs out to play. They're basic repaint jobs, described by the carrier as Sunset Red and Pure White, the latter of which almost lives up to its name by including a white keyboard but falters by sticking to the noir optical pad. Pricing is set at $499 if you never want to see AT&T again after purchasing one or $99 if you can commit to a two-year relationship. Same as with the "Charcoal" Torch. [Thanks, Matthew]
Sharp Galapagos 003SH and 005SH bring glasses-free 3D to Japanese Android lovers
Hey, what could the maker of the 3DS' autostereoscopic display be doing in its spare time? Why, stealing a bit of thunder for itself, by the looks of it. Sharp has just trotted out a pair of glasses-free 3D Android handsets for Japan's Softbank network in the form of the touchscreen slate 003SH and QWERTY-slidin' 005SH. A 1GHz Snapdragon powers Froyo on both, with the 3D-capable displays stretching to 3.8 inches and 800 x 480 resolution. The 003SH also comes with a 9.6 megapixel camera, while the 005SH settles for 8 megapixels, although both are capable of 720p video. There are also bundled 3D content deals in place, such as the one with Capcom that will see Mega Man, Resident Evil and Ghosts 'n Goblins titles coming preloaded on the handsets. Intrigued? The 003SH is coming this December, to be followed by the 005SH in February.
HTC 7 Pro arriving in UK and rest of Europe 'early next year'
So what if Microsoft's nicest WP7 slate phones all went to Europe and the rest of the un-American world? At least we'll have the HTC 7 Pro, the true Windows Phone 7 workhorse, with its tilt-sliding QWERTY keyboard and compact 3.6-inch size. Well, as it turns out, that device will be available in Europe too! We've just confirmed with HTC that the 7 Pro is definitely headed to the UK and its Euro neighbors, with the current roadmap set for "early next year." It's still too soon to discuss potential carriers, but we're sure our British buddies will be chuffed just to know the handset's coming their way.
HTC 7 Mozart and 7 Trophy set out to conquer the WP7 world, 7 Pro coming to Sprint next year
HTC's kicking the Windows Phone 7 era off in style today with no less than three new phones scheduled to debut on October 21 in Europe: the HD7, the 7 Mozart, and the 7 Trophy. Both the Mozart and Trophy offer a WVGA LCD screen, a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8250 chipset, 576MB of RAM, 8GB of built-in storage, and 720p video recording. Where the 7 Mozart sets itself apart is in having an aluminum unibody construction wrapped around its 3.7-inch display, together with a more advanced 8 megapixel imager and a Xenon flash. The 7 Trophy makes do with an LED flash illuminating 5 megapixels' worth photons, but it does also come with HTC's promise to be the most aggressively priced WP7 handset from the company. It'll be a Vodafone exclusive across the big red network's global footprint, while the Mozart will be exclusive to Orange in the UK, France, Spain, and Switzerland, exclusive to Deutsche Telekom in Germany, and available on a choice of carriers elsewhere. No peep of an American release for either handset, however. For the home crowd, Sprint is set to deliver a HTC 7 Pro with a QWERTY keyboard that slides out and tilts -- you can see it pictured in the gallery below -- at some point in the first half of 2011. It too goes with the same old 1GHz Snapdragon, 576MB of RAM, 5 megapixel cam plus 720p video, and WVGA display resolution (on a 3.6-inch screen), but it gets a bump in storage to 16GB. Full spec sheets for all three phones, along with HTC's big Windows Phone 7 announcement, await just past the break. %Gallery-104739%
Dell Venue Pro gives WP7 a 4.1-inch QWERTY slider with Lightning heritage and a T-Mobile future
To say we've been eagerly anticipating the Dell Lightning would be an understatement along the lines of suggesting Microsoft's launching a few Windows Phone 7 devices today. Dell's AMOLED-equipped WP7 debut has just gone official with a cringe-worthy renaming to the Venue Pro for T-Mobile, who has in turn announced its intention to carry the 4.1-inch portrait QWERTY slider "in time for the holidays." Notably, you won't be able to purchase the Venue Pro directly from T-Mo stores, as Dell and its choice of handpicked retailers are set to handle the purchasing experience. Don't look for any AT&T hookups, either -- Dell has acknowledged T-Mobile as its "launch partner" for the device, giving team Magenta a second major exclusive, even if this one doesn't last much beyond the launch period. Needless to say, we'll seek to confirm the full spec sheet as soon as we can, though the officially known 1GHz Snapdragon chip and 5 megapixel imager agree with the Lightning's original leak. For more on the fresher than fresh Dell Venue Pro, check out our hands-on pictures and impressions.%Gallery-104726%
AT&T debuts slim, AMOLED-equipped Pantech Laser slider
Well, it looks like Pantech may not be dropping AMOLED screens just yet after all -- the company has just rolled out its new Laser slider on AT&T complete with, you guessed it, a 3.1-inch AMOLED display. Set to be available on October 17th, the phone is also the thinnest QWERTY slider available on AT&T at just 9.95 millimeters thick, but things unfortunately get decidedly less interesting from there. The Laser is simply a "quick messaging phone," for starters, and you'll only get AT&T's own apps for navigation, social networking, and other basic tasks -- though it does have a somewhat unique "Drawing Commander" feature that lets you draw shapes to make phone calls or launch apps. That doesn't mean the Laser comes with quick messaging phone price, however -- it'll set you back $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate on a two-year contract (placing it right in line with some of AT&T's newest mid-range Android phones). Hit up the gallery below for a closer look, and head on past the break for the full press release. %Gallery-104547%
