Verizon and Samsung Launch Windows Mobile SCH-i730 Phone

Verizon has figured out that as smartphones become more and more popular, they need to have some cool, distinct models – and the Samsung SCH-i730 certainly meets that need.

The Samsung SCH-i730 is the latest in the ’slider smartphone’ category, where a hidden keypad slides down from the back of the unit – much like the Audiovox VX6600 unit. But that’s where the differences begin, as the SCH-i730 opted for nice, raised keys like the Treo 650, rather than the flattened keyboard of the Audiovox. The screen is a ’standard’ Windows Mobile screen, 320 pixels tall, 240 pixels wide, and is a full PDA-style touchscreen.

Next, the SCH-i730 packs in new EV-DO data connectivity, again much like the Audiovox – basically, it has built in wireless email and internet capabilities, but can achieve near-broadband speeds on Verizon’s growing network. Of course, there are times you simply don’t get reception for some reason (a dead zone in a house or building), or when you don’t have an unlimited data plan, and the SCH-i730 comes out swinging with its built-in WiFi networking. The Treo and the Audiovox don’t give you that!

Like other newer smartphones, the SCH-i730 has Bluetooth built-in, great for accessing phone features from a wireless earpiece, without having the phone right in your hand. However, in a move that continues to have Verizon subscribers upset at the wireless giant, Verizon opted to have the DUN profile disabled – which means you can’t use the phone as a ‘Bluetooth modem’ for your laptop while on the road. That’s something the Audiovox does do, and on the Verizon network to boot! Obviously, Verizon must have decided too many users had the VX6600 as a decent, cheap way to get phone and wireless-modem capabilities, and wanted to ‘force’ newer users to buy a PCMCIA EV-DO access card for their laptops. It’s one of the few ‘marks’ on what’s an otherwise great looking handset.

In addition to using Bluetooth for data transfer and syncing with the desktop, there’s an SDIO slot included, so you can make use of standard-sized SD memory cards, say transferring audio or photo files from other devices right to your phone. And with Windows Media 10 support, SRS WOW audio, and built-in speakers, the SCH-i730 doubles as an MP3 player and a portable media player unit.

Finally, just to round out some of the key features, the Samsung SCH-i730 also packs in voice dialing and voice command (for launching applications), a full speakerphone, lots of RAM and a fast processor, all in a slim, 5.5oz unit. And it comes with both a standard and an extended battery for the price, plus a docking charge/sync cradle. All in all, quite a phone for the money. If you need a phone with amazing wireless data capabilities, and don’t need the DUN Bluetooth connection, this is one to check out.

If you’re in the market, go check the latest prices over at Amazon, as they’re always running deals. Or read on for the full press release.