Samsung's 4G LTE device has been referred to as the SCH-i520 in the past, and as of right now, it looks like things will stay that way. Today Verizon announced this unnamed "Samsung 4G LTE Smartphone," and although they didn't give us a name, they were kind enough to share the device's specs with us: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1 GHz processor, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, 1.3 megapixel camera around front, and Android 2.2 running beneath a TouchWiz skin. There's no word on pricing or availability, but Verizon has said that it'll be available "by the middle of 2011." Check out the full press release below.
While it's kind of strange that this handset doesn't have a name, specs are what's important here, and we do have most of those. The Super AMOLED Plus display sounds pretty great, although I'm kind of surprised that there's no dual-core or even 1.2GHz single-core CPU running the show. Still, we'll reserve judgment until we actually see the thing in action. So, what do you all think?
VERIZON WIRELESS AND SAMSUNG MOBILE ANNOUNCE SAMSUNG'S FIRST 4G LTE-ENABLED SMARTPHONE
January 6, 2011
Features Android 2.2 platform, Super AMOLED™ Plus Display, 1GHz Application Processor and Rear and Front-Facing Cameras
LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – From the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network. .
Powered by an Android 2.2 operating system, the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone is equipped with Google Mobile services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™, YouTube™ and access to more than 100,000 applications on Android Market™. The Samsung 4G LTE smartphone boasts a brilliant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touch screen display, powerful 1GHz application processor and HTML5 Web browser that uses high-speed 4G LTE connectivity for faster downloads. Designed with a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone supports video chat capabilities. Messaging is made simple on the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone with a virtual QWERTY keyboard equipped with Swype™ technology. Additionally, the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone will come preloaded with popular LTE-specific applications.
“The Samsung 4G LTE smartphone is an ideal option for those who look to Samsung Mobile for sleek and innovative devices combined with blazing fast speeds of Android 2.2 on the nation’s most advanced 4G network,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “This powerful combination enables our customers to connect face to face with family and friends, while still enjoying premium multimedia and social networking features backed by the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.”
The 4G LTE smartphone has access to Samsung’s Media Hub content service available on the 4G LTE network, which offers a robust collection of premium movies and TV episodes from some of the biggest entertainment companies for purchase and rental. Users can stay connected with Samsung’s Social Hub, built around messaging, contacts and calendar sync, which allows users to send and receive information, whether it is e-mail, social network updates or text messages.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless’ 3G network. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company’s entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.
The Samsung 4G LTE smartphone will be on display at CES 2011 in Verizon Wireless’ booth (#35216 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center) and in the Samsung booth (#12006 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center). For more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte. For more information about Verizon Wireless at CES, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/ces or follow the company on Twitter at http://twitter.com/verizonwireless. For more information about the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone, visit www.samsung.com.
