Apple had its Year of PowerBooks, Sony Ericsson has started its Year of Music. This is Sprint’s Year of Sanyo. As you may have heard, some financial indicators have slipped that Sanyo is in some tough financial straights. Sprint having exclusive rights to the Sanyo brand in the U.S. has decided to help out; by having something for everyone.
Here’s what we can say…
The Sanyo V200 will maintain Sprint’s technique of having one-to-two voice-only phones, for people who the forced-Vision-to-get-the-rebate is a make-or-break type of deal, or don’t want a phone with Vision, or don’t want to get the best free phone they can. Regardless of reason, it will be a return to the flip-phone strategy, it has been over two years since Sprint has had a flip voice-only phone.
The Sanyo 2300 will be meant to do battle with the “el cheapo” set of Vision phones, and will probably replace the Audiovox 8450/VI600 in the lineup.
The Sanyo RL-4920 is here to stay for awhile. The 7000 series is in a state of flux, but it probably will stay at 7400 for awhile as well.
The Sanyo 8300 will be an continuation of the extremely-popular 8000 series. It will take from the 5600’s lead and add many of the features MM-class phones have, it could be described as the “5600 Mini”.
The Sanyo 5600 has been beaten to death, though it may be delayed to the end of Q1.
And the Sanyo 9000… well… we aren’t talking about it still…
So… that’s it. The year of Sanyo (or at least the start of it). Something for everyone.
