Samsung Launches the Slim QWERTY i320 Smartphone in Europe

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20060704_0000268466#' target='_blank'>http://www.samsung.com/PressCenter/PressRelease/PressRelease.asp?seq=20060704_0000268466#</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading provider and innovator of mobile phones, announced its launch of the SGH-i320 , new Slim QWERTY Smartphone, signaling the company's drive to the smartphone market. The sleek and stylish Samsung i320 is a super-slim bar type handset, measuring just 11.5mm in depth and 95g in weight with an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard. The QWERTY keyboard has the same keyboard layout used in personal computers, enabling users to send emails and text messages far more conveniently; such a fun and simple methodology proved to be a huge success amongst consumers in the US and Europe. ... The SGH-i320 will be launched in Europe this month. The following launches will take place throughout the rest of Europe and South East Asia shortly."</i><br /> <br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-jul06-i320launch.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Samsung has officially announced the Moto Q challenger, the i320, in Europe. Even though this unit is for the GSM networks, the fact that Samsung chose to launch it with a tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) module means that this unit will not be launched officially in the US. :( I am surprised that Samsung is making tri-band cell phones at a time when quad-band is becoming a standard, especially on the devices aimed at the enterprise users who tend to be travelers. The good news for the European users is that the device will have MSFP/push email support out of the box. They will also be able to claim that their i320 which measures 111 x 59 x 11.5mm is smaller than the Q (116 x 64 x 11.5mm).

[sojourner753]

I am surprised that Samsung is making tri-band cell phones at a time when quad-band is becoming a standard

It seems like tri-bands are all to common these days. Of course most of them are in the Pocket PC Phone Editions.

I do agree with you that it doesn't make any sense on either side.

[Kris Kumar]

In the Smartphone world, HTC and Motorola both produce only quad-band devices. 8)

[Kris Kumar]

The i320 doesn't have scroll wheel? Does it? :?

It should have had the scroll wheel, all Windows Mobile devices should have a scroll wheel.

[encece]

The scroll wheel is overrated....if it's on the wrong side of the phone. Well...wrong for me! ;)

[raulr]

I can't believe the survey results are saying people like the TI graphing calculator look of they Sammy.

[Rocco Augusto]

i avoid phones with scroll wheels since im left handed :(

i think they should make left and right handed phones :)

[andydempsey]

what, no wifi? no good.

[Kris Kumar]

I can't believe the survey results are saying people like the TI graphing calculator look of they Sammy.

I am surprised too. I was expecting a tie.

[Jerry Raia]

I have to go with the Q. Being right handed, the scroll wheel is fine :)

[onlydarksets]

Gotta go with the Sammy. It's the fat number keys being centered on the phone - as a Smartphone, it has to be a phone first, then a PDA, so this is mandatory. It could be lime green and smell like an ashtray - I'd still give it the nod over any phone that doesn't make it easy to dial using the keypad.

[Kris Kumar]

The off-center number key pad on the Q requires some getting used to. I agree it is not as easy as the Samsung's centered key pad.

Also the soft keys on the Q are also far apart. Let's say you are holding it in your right hand using the scroll wheel and then you have to use the left soft key, it is a little too far to reach.

[Jerry Raia]

That is my biggest complaint with the Q. The placement of the numeric keys.

[Mike Temporale]

My thoughts... I like the Samsung. I like the number pad layout and the fact that it's GSM. :mrgreen:

[rockykabir]

How does the numeric keypad work on the i320 anyway? Do you have to press both the buttons in order to dial the number or would either do?

Also, does anyone happen to know what processor it'll be using? Apparently the Q is a 300Mhz or summat....so it'll be interesting to see whether Samsung will match this 8)

[Mike Temporale]

How does the numeric keypad work on the i320 anyway? Do you have to press both the buttons in order to dial the number or would either do?

My guess is that any button push inside of that square would represent the same number. So you don't have to worry about making sure you hit one or all buttons. That's just my assumption.