Samsung trots out three music phones that rock

Damian Koh | Oct 11, 2007

Is the Asia phone market getting too unpleasantly crowded for the likes of Samsung? In its latest mobile launch outing, the Korean chaebol has bypassed its Asian neighbors including even its own backyard, to court Europe. While we are awaiting word from the consumer electronics giant on the availability of the devices in our region, here's what Samsung fans in Asia are missing out.

Two of the models, the SGH-F330 (slim HSDPA slider) and the SGH-F210 (swivel stick), are already out in Germany for 260 euros (US$368) and 280 euros (US$396), respectively. The third model which resembles the Nokia N95 with its two-way sliding mechanism, appears to veer away from the usual Samsung handsets that proliferate mobile shelves in Asia.

What makes the SGH-i450 interesting is a touch wheel navigation to access the multimedia menus. There's also HSDPA, Bluetooth stereo and it runs on the S60 3rd Edition platform with Feature Pack 1. Oddly, this is targeted for Italy, out end this month at a price of 360 euros (US$509) without subsidy.

Update: According to Samsung Asia, the SGH-F330 and SGH-F210 are scheduled to be launched this quarter in Asia, while the SGH-i450 will be rolled out in selected markets in the same period.