Samsung's dual-SIM WM smart phone in the works

Damian Koh | Mar 25, 2008

When we reviewed the Samsung SGH-D880 dual-SIM phone, we identified two main groups of users--one group who needs it for work and play; a second group who travels a lot. But there's a third untapped market that comprises mainly youths who use multiple handsets from different telcos to cut down on their monthly bills. Even though the D880 is an attractive proposition, its S$598 tab borders onto the mid to high range of the price spectrum.

Now, it appears Samsung has plans to address the entry-level segment of the market with a dual-SIM phone that's purportedly 20- to 30-percent less expensive than the current D880. This is due out in the second quarter and most likely to be in May.

According to an interview with Smape, a Russian-based site, executive manager of the Russian division in Samsung's Telecom department Yoonsoo Kim said the company also plans to roll out a dual-SIM Windows Mobile smart phone this year, though he didn't mention specifically when that would be. Although the company has no immediate visibility or official plans for a Symbian-based device, Kim did say that Samsung has no reason not to design one, but that would have to wait until 2009.

Kim also mentioned the possibility of including a hot SIM-swapping feature in its dual-SIM phones so users won't have to reboot the handset when switching primary cards. However, he added that "this will hardly happen in the closest future" as the company is looking to optimize the dual-SIM user interface on its phones. Like the D880, all its dual-SIM devices will come with a dedicated SIM card switch for easy access.

What was most optimistic in the whole interview was Kim saying that "massive shipments of DuoS phones are officially planned to the regions of South Asia and the Far East in the nearest future". We're not too sure about the word "massive", but it's definitely a good thing Samsung is addressing the market with the right products. We are still waiting for confirmation from our local Samsung rep regarding shipment dates and model numbers. The moment these new phones are announced in Europe, we should be seeing them soon.

Full interview transcript here.

Via Unwired View

Filed under: Mobile Phones
3 Comments | Bookmark | Share

del.icio.us

Digg this

Furl

Yahoo My Web

Google bookmarks

Facebook

close this

Add tag

To add tags, you need to become a member. It's FREE.

Cancel

Log in or sign in

ferdiei

View profile

Send mail

ferdiei says...
you won't believe it if i tell you that dual-sim adaptors/kit has been sold in the PHILS almost 10 yrs ago in the late 90's. what brought about this was the real need of people there who traveled between the islands as telco operators (Globe & Smart) do not provide enough coverage everywhere (a case being that putting up 'repeater' tower/s are still ramping-up then OR plainly because of geographical limits versus the existing 2G network at that time). nevertheless, years has passed & people around the world are catching up to this trend because of their desire for ultimate mobility (roaming) & the flexibility of having 2 sim or 2 lines while carrying 1 mobile device.

Mar 27, 2008 08:17

Flag as offensive

jhei

View profile

Send mail

jhei says...
Ferdiei's right. The Philippines has been an early witness to this technology. It's just so wonderful that people around the Globe are adopting to it already

Mar 27, 2008 09:58

Flag as offensive

ysliew77

View profile

ysliew77 says...
There are couple of China made mobile phones provide dual-sim functionality, you can find it at Sim Lim sqaure. Cheaper and has more function that the model offered by Samsung. But, of course, I just wonder if you can get the similar customer support and warranty.

Apr 09, 2008 09:00

Flag as offensive