Thin is in. Just ask Boost Mobile, which will begin selling the Motorola Stature i9, the thinnest flip phone in the Nextel Direct line-up. The i9 will go on sale at Boost’s Web site by the end of February, with Sprint set to get it shortly thereafter.

The multimedia phone features a 3.1 megapixel camera with flash and auto focus for high-resolution images; external keys for quick access to content, including a music player and GPS; haptic feedback; and 8 GB of storage.

Nextel phones historically have been on the thick side, but Motorola says the Stature i9 represents a significant milestone in its iDEN history.

The device is one of the latest maneuvers by Sprint to rekindle interest in the iDEN network, which the company says is working at best-ever levels. The Stature i9 will sell through Sprint Nextel channels for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate. It will be sold through Boost for $299.99 without a contract.