It’s not yet July 1 and already we’ve seen a gaggle of new handsets from some of the best and brightest. Here’s a chronological recap of what’s gone down over the past couple of months.
The Palm Pre
- Launch Date: June 6
- Carrier: Sprint Nextel
- Featured Specs: Web OS, 3.1-inch multi-touch screen, sliding full qwerty keyboard, CDMA/EV-DO, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3-megapixel camera with flash, stereo Bluetooth, microUSB and 8GB of internal memory.
- Notable: The Pre was the star of early summer. The much anticipated launch of what was billed by everyone and their grandmother as the next iPhone killer, released to long lines and sparse inventory. Many analysts were impressed with Palm’s multi-tasking webOS, saying the Pre’s software is superior to that of the iPhone.
- Quotable: “All in all, I believe the Pre is a smart, sophisticated product that will have particular appeal for those who want a physical keyboard. It is thoughtfully designed, works well and could give the iPhone and BlackBerry strong competition — but only if it fixes its app store and can attract third-party developers.” Walt Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal
Samsung Jet
- Launch Date: TBA (Unveiled June 14)
- Carrier: TBA
- Featured Specs: 3.10-inch active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, WiFi, Bluetooth FM Radio, GSM with global roaming, 2GB built-in memory with Micro SD expandable
- Notable: Samsung is billing it as the “smarter than smart” smartphone. While few have had a chance to play with it, reviews are scarce at the moment. The Jet will be fast, packing an 800 MHz processor, five megapixel camera and a battery-saving 3.1-inch AMOLED screen.
- Quotable: “I believe this Jet is going to bring the definition of smartphone to a new height.” Damian Koh – CNET Asia (received a 9 out of 10 stars in its CNET debut)
BlackBerry Tour
- Launch date: June 16
- Carriers: Sprint, Verizon
- Featured Specs: World Phone Capabilities, 3G Network, Camera (3.2 MP), 256 MB built- in memory, enhanced media player, supports BlackBerry App World, GPS, BlackBerry Maps, e-mail, SMS/MMS
- Notable: Features Research in Motion's usual physical Qwerty keyboard, but almost the exact specs seen in the BlackBerry Storm. Could be RIM's answer to the Palm Pre. However, the Tour still lacks Wi-Fi and a touchscreen.
- Quotable: “You can literally think of the BlackBerry 9630 as a BlackBerry Storm with a qwerty keyboard. It’s that exact. From the cell radios (quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, single-band UMTS/HSDPA, 1X/EV-DO) to even the layout of the keys on the side, it’s almost identical.” – Boy Genius Report
The Apple 3G S
- Launch Date: June 19
- Carrier: AT&T
- Featured Specs: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display, UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 32G B and 16 GB models, digital compass, 3MP camera with autofocus and streaming video capabilities, MMS and SMS
- Notable: The “S” stands for Speed, and the new iPhone apparently has plenty of it. However, some reviewers were disappointed in the new device’s upgrades, which were limited to a faster processor, longer battery life, increased memory and a new camera that can handle video. However, some say the old 3G stole the show. Combined with the release of the new iPhone OS 3.0, the old 3G got a facelift and a new $99 price tag.
- Quotable: “For current users, we have this to say: The iPhone 3GS is a solid spec bump to a phone you already own... but it is, at its core, a phone you already own.” Joshua Topolosky – Engadget
The myTouch 3G
- Launch Date: July 8 (pre-order for existing T-Mobile customers)
- Carrier: T-Mobile USA
- Featured Specs: 3.2 megapixel camera, GSM quad-band capable of global roaming (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), UMTS dual-band global 3G (1700/2100 MHz), Android OS, 3.2-inches, 256 MB built-in with expandable SD
- Notable: While T-Mobile says that the Android-based G1 was about drawing in early adopters and a following of developers, the myTouch is intended to reach a broader consumer demographic. However, light specs and an equally light Android Marketplace might see the myTouch losing out to the Pre and iPhone 3GS.
- Quotable: “In my opinion, T-Mobile is offering too little, too late. Unless you are a die-hard Android fan, you would be better off with buying a Palm Pre or an iPhone 3GS (you get more features for your buck, plus multi-touch).” Daniel Lonescu – PC World