Every Cingular phone being prepared for release. We pick up our coverage of the carriers, thirteen phones in total.
Note: Some phones may not be released, some phones may be radically different than the projections stated here when they near launch. PCS Intel is not a rumor site, but news in this article is not as vetted as our typical coverage.
HP hw6925
The hw6925 builds on HP’s existing hw6515 by adding Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU2 and built-in 802.11b WiFi. The device has been delayed several, several times and will now face stiff competition from devices such as HTC Hermes. The hw6925’s GSM/EDGE now appears underpowered compared with Hermes’ global UMTS compliment. However, HP (and HTC, the ODM of the device) will launch the device around the end of next month for $599.99 with contract, before rebate.
However, the hw6925 will maintain the features that made its predecessor so popular, mainly a Treo-like 240×240 pixel display with full keyboard, as well as built-in GPS receiver and GPS navigation software.
HTC TyTN (Hermes)
The HTC TyTN (code-name Hermes) will replace the Cingular 8125 Wizard, and may be one of the first HTC devices to ship under the new HTC consumer brand. The Hermes will build on the Wizard with global UMTS (a cell phone first), combining UMTS abroad on 2100 MHz with 1900 & 850 MHz UMTS coverage exclusive to the United States. The device, however, will lack HSDPA, making it difficult to rank in the connectivity game.
Cingular 3125/HTC MTeoR (Star Trek)
The MTeoR, as we have previously reported, is a RAZR-like Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone, and is second-thinnest in the (the Motorola Q remains the thinnest WM5 Smartphone). However, it will have UMTS, making it the nation’s first Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone on the UMTS platform. The device will launch along with the TyTN, close to the end of the year. It will replace the current Cingular 2125 in the lineup.
Cingular will continue to brand the device under the carrier’s name however. HTC has yet to assert their brand over their devices, and despite the MTeoR being further along in testing, it is also evidence that HTC may continue to use the Cingular brand until the next generation of devices.
{mospagebreak}Motorola
We have rolled our Motorola coverage into our Motorola portfolio announcement coverage. Please visit it for details on upcoming Motorola devices on Cingular.
Motorola V3i
The V3i will replace the original V3 RAZR, finally bringing its long tenure on the phone maker to a close. The V3i however, is very similar to the original V3. The only notable addition is a MicroSD slot and support for iTunes. The Motorola V3i has been delayed past its original expected release date. The delay has been so significant that it will cause lineup constraints for Cingular with the launch of devices such as the K1 KRZR. The KRZR is not expected to include support for iTunes however, allowing Cingular to differentiate between the two devices.
Cingular’s first Bluetooth 2.0 phone is a mid-range handset similar to the Samsung A640 on Sprint. It features Quadband GSM with EDGE and a MicroSD card slot, as well as USB 2.0 connectivity. A 1.3 megapixel camera and 10 MB of internal RAM round out the device.
The Series 40 3rd Edition device has been delayed multiple times, and should make a late summer release in August.Nokia E62
The E62 is currently for sale in Europe, and serves as Nokia’s competitor to both the BlackBerry and Motorola Q. With a thin design, similar to the Q, the E62 stands out with the S60 operating system, as well as Exchange ActiveSync support. However, unlike its European counterpart, the E61, the E62 lacks both UMTS and WiFi.
The E62 has received FCC approval, and can launch at any time, pending Cingular approval of key functionality such as push email with their existing carrier infrastructure.
{mospagebreak}Palm Lennon & Nitro
The Lennon and Nitro have stayed relatively unchanged in terms of status since our previous coverage. While some pictures have surfaced, it is not clear if they are representative of either Lennon or Nitro. Palm has announced Lennon formally however, on Vodafone in Europe.
Pantech C-120
The C-120 will target the same customer as the C-130 does currently, trying to bring style to the very-low-end market. The phone will not be as thin as other ultra-thin phones, but will be tiny at 10.3 centimeters tall.
However, the phone is about as small on features as it is size-wise. The tri-band GSM phone will “feature” a VGA camera, “high-speed” GPRS data, and a whopping 2.5 MB of memory storage. Expect the C-120 to be directed at prepaid customers, but also offered to postpaid customers for free after rebate.Samsung ZX-20
The ZX-20 is easily ranked as the most connected phone to launch in the United States ever. It is the first phone to combine HSDPA, EDGE, and Bluetooth 2.0. While the Samsung A640 on Sprint has Bluetooth 2.0, it lacks EV-DO, making a large portion of the benefits of BT2 (namely, high-speed transfer rates for broadband data) useless.
The ZX-20 should launch within the next 60 days.Sony Ericsson W810i
The W810i will finally deliver a fully-functional Walkman phone to the United States. Unlike the W600i, the W810i features Memory Stick Pro Duo storage capacity, allowing for up to 4 GB of storage, same as an iPod nano. When combined with the Walkman iPod-ripoff music player, the device is an attractive music device. However, like the iPod and all current Sony Ericsson phones, the device lacks one notable music capacity; A2DP support.
The GSM/EDGE Class 10 phone is quad-band ready, and touts a 2.0 megapixel camera in addition to music functionality. The display however is a far cry from Sony Ericsson’s previous inclusion of QVGA on high-end units, coming in at the second-place 176×220 pixel size. Also, unlike most phones on this list, Sony Ericsson already has a W810i Specifications page up.Discuss In Our Forums
