Samsung unveils 2007 lineup at 3GSM
This year's 3GSM World Congress tradeshow in Barcelona can only be described as grandiose, with vendors frenetically dishing out droolworthy and more models on the catwalk of mobile technology than Victoria Secret has lingerie-clad babes in its new catalog collection.
Without a doubt, Samsung made the hugest impression simply with its announcement of more than 12 new handsets at the show. Of course, as expected of the Korean chaebol, it unveiled even slimmer versions of its Ultra Edition series as well as new additions to its multimedia Ultra series. Showcased for the first time as well were new SGH-E-series cellulars, a Symbian OS-based smart phone and a unique QWERTY-enabled swivel SGH-P110 handset.
The new Ultra Edition II series will comprise four slimmer yet more powerful versions of its current super-thin mobile lineup. The Ultra Edition 5.9 (U100), which measures just 5.9mm thick, has been touted by Samsung as the world's slimmest handset. Despite shaving 1mm off its Ultra Edition 6.9 predecessor, the 5.9 packs a higher-resolution 3-megapixel camera. The Ultra Edition 9.6 (U300) clamshell offers a slightly slimmer form factor than the Ultra Edition 9.9, while the Ultra Edition 10.9 (U600) slider trims another 2mm off the Ultra Edition 12.9. The Korean mobile giant also introduced a thinner successor to the HSDPA-enabled Ultra Edition 13.8 slider called the Ultra Edition 12.1 (U700).
Samsung has also expanded its multimedia Ultra portfolio with three new HSDPA handset offerings. Top of the heap is the Ultra Smart F700 model announced one week earlier, which is seen as the company's answer to the iPhone with a full touchscreen display. Mediocrity being a taboo word, the Korean chaebol has obviously gone for the jugular by also throwing onboard a 5-megapixel camera, slide-out QWERTY keypad and onboard video and music player. We'll have to see if it also delivers.
However, the most eye-catching of the trio has to be the Ultra Video F520 with its dual slider design. By this, the phone not only slides vertically to reveal the number pad, it can be shifted horizontally to display the QWERTY keypad. The Korean company also showcased its first DVB-H-enabled F510 phone in its Ultra series at the show.
Adding to Samsung's smart phone lineup is the slim i520 slider, running on Symbian OS Version 9.2 (S60 3rd Edition Feature Package 1) and featuring HSDPA, a 2-megapixel camera, 2.3-inch QVGA display and Bluetooth.
For the mainstream set, there are four new SGH-E-series (one candy bar and four sliders) mobiles, all of which will sport 2- or 3-megapixel cameras, Bluetooth (with A2DP stereo profile) and microSD card slots. What caught our attention was the SGH-P110, which features a unique swivel design that hides a full QWERTY keypad.
Last, but not least, Samsung also showcased its latest Mobile WiMAX offerings. Among them are the UMPC-like SPH-9000, the SPH-M8100 with T-DMB (Terrestrial-Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) and a USB Dongle to access Mobile WiMAX/HSDPA services via a laptop.
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Ultra Edition II
