U.S. Cellular's been building a pretty healthy lineup of Android devices up until now, and tomorrow their selection will grow once again. U.S. Cellular today announced that they'll be launching the Samsung Gem on Friday, April 1st, for only $29.99 with a two-year contract and mail-in rebate. As a refresher, the Gem is packing a 3.2-inch WQVGA display, 800MHz processor, 3.2 megapixel camera, and Android 2.2. You can check out the full press release below.
There's no question that the Gem is more of a low-end device, but it's great to see another affordable Android phone hit U.S. Cellular's shelves, especially when it's running Froyo out of the box. We've also seen the Gem photographed with Verizon branding a couple of times in the past, but there's been no word from either VZW or Samsung on when we can expect that variation of the handset to arrive. When, or if, that happens, we'll be sure to let you know.
U.S. CELLULAR LAUNCHES 'JEWEL' OF A PHONE IN SAMSUNG GEM™
The Latest Android-powered Smartphone at a Smart Price, $29.99
CHICAGO (March 31, 2011) – U.S. Cellular invites those who are ready to take the Android-powered plunge to indulge themselves with the wireless carrier's latest device, the Samsung Gem. In stores and online April 1 for only $29.99 after an $80 mail-in rebate, this smartphone deal is no April Fools' joke. It features a 3.2" full touch screen with advanced anti-scratch, anti-smudge and anti-reflective protective glass.
Keeping in touch with friends and family is easy with the Samsung Gem, which allows you to update your status and post photos and messages to all of your favorite social networking sites with the touch of one button. With its easy-to-use calendar, you can organize all of your social and business appointments. You can also drag and drop various widgets and icons to personalize your very own, one-of-a-kind start-up screen.
"We want to delight our customers with handsets that can be customized to meet their individual needs," said David Kimbell, vice president of marketing for U.S. Cellular. "As the interest in smartphones continues to grow, we are thrilled to roll out high-performing, competitively priced devices that enable our customers to be more productive and simplify their lives."
The Samsung Gem is backed by U.S. Cellular's high-speed nationwide network and The Belief Project, both of which have received high marks from industry insiders and consumers. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier*, and The Belief Project earned Frost & Sullivan's Customer Value Enhancement of the Year Award.
The Belief Project recognizes customer loyalty with unmatched benefits and rewards like faster upgrades to the coolest phones in as little as 10 months without requiring customers to repeatedly sign contracts. It also offers an assortment of bundled National Single Line and Family Belief Plans designed to mirror the way people use their phones.
New customers who sign up for a Belief Plan and fulfill an initial two-year commitment will never have to sign another one with U.S. Cellular's "no contract after the first." Current U.S. Cellular customers who previously signed up for a Belief Plan and are already eligible for a phone upgrade can get promotional prices without signing another contract. Customers automatically get valuable rewards that can be used for faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months, additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones.
For more information about all of U.S. Cellular's deals, plans and phones, and other restrictions on this offer, visit any U.S. Cellular store, go to uscellular.com or check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.
Via Android Central
