Samsung Unveils “iPhone Killer” with 3G Support: F700
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Samsung has joined Apple and LG into the club of touchscreen mobile phones manufacturers. The company unveiled the F700 handset, which is the only one of the three to support the latest mobile network.
The phone is the first that is compatible with 3G (third generation) WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) in addition to conventional GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). It also works with the companion HSDPA and EDGE data transmission systems so, on 3G networks, it can receive data at up to 7.2Mbps (bits per second).
The phone features a 2.8-inch 440×240 screen to control calling, internet access, and music functions. Media playback support includes multiple AAC audio formats, Real, and variants of MPEG-4 including H.264.
Samsung’s Ultra Smart F700 also includes VibeTonz, a vibration system introduced in the recent W559 that simulates tactile feedback to touchscreen presses. On the iPhone, many reviewers complained about the lack of feedback in typing on such a small surface with your thumbs. Guess what? Samsung’s F700 also includes a slide-out keyboard to accommodate typing and Web browsing.
Samsung’s innovation features a 5-megapixel camera offering auto-focus that bests the iPhone’s 2-megapixel unit. A microSD slot will expand the memory for storing photos and music. Apparently, Samsung will not use Windows Mobile 6.0, also to be unveiled at 3GSM next week.
The F700 will be on show at next week’s 3GSM expo in Barcelona, Spain, and it will become the fourth member of Samsung’s “Ultra” family of phones. Samsung hasn’t decided when or where the phone will be launched nor at what price, said Stephanie Wong, a spokeswoman for the company in Seoul.
Compared to the LG K850 “Prada” and the Apple iPhone, Samsung’s device seems better in most aspects, but its display. It has 2.8 inches against 3 inches on the K850 and 3.5 inches on the Apple handset. However, the LG has lower resolution.
The Ultra Smart F700 measures 4.1 by 2.9 by 0.6 inches, only barely thicker than the iPhone, by about a fifth of an inch. It will also feature Bluetooth 2.0+.
The Samsung Ultra Smart F700 won’t have all the advantages over the iPhone. One disadvantage, aside from the small screen size difference, will probably be its price. The F700 looks, seems and should be a little more expensive, featuring better specs overall.
