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September 10, 2007 11:25 AM PDT

Verizon could get even sexier

by Kent German
Samsung SGH-X820

Samsung SGH-X820

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Yes, you read that correctly. America's least fashion-conscious carrier is changing its ways with a possible new phone from Samsung. Though we've seen it a few times at CES and CTIA, the Samsung SCH-U470 (and its GSM cousin, the SGH-X830) has existed in the United States only behind glass thus far. It's a striking phone in many ways; not only does it take Samsung's obsession for thin handsets to a whole new level but it also brings back the swivel design, which never seemed to catch on in North America.

In our opinion the design was a little extreme for a U.S. carrier, but a recent report on PhoneArena.com shows us we might be wrong. According to an unnamed source Verizon Wireless will offer the phone in 2008. Verizon has long had a reputation for being safe and somewhat stodgy with its handsets but the carrier has been doing its best to take a new approach to phone design with models like the LG Chocolate II. And if it does pick up the SCH-U740, that trend will continue.

According to PhoneArena, the feature set will include stereo Bluetooth, a megapixel camera (we say a 2-megapixel shooter), a microSD card slot, and support for V Cast Music. Verizon's previous Samsung music phones include the Samsung SCH-U740 and the SCH-A990.

Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
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Verizon will ruin yet another great phone.
by CarmelCougar September 11, 2007 2:05 PM PDT
As always, expect this device to be crippled 8 ways from Sunday. Bluetooth profiles will be severely limited, the OS will be stripped and replaced with the infamous RED ui, every screen will likely show Verizon Wireless (just in case your eyes didn't see the carrier label on both the front and back casing of the phone). Despite this cool phone coming to the most boring, restrictive carrier in America, nothing has changed for Verizon Wireless. If customers want cool, different phones, they will need to continue to import unlocked devices for use on GSM networks.
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I would'nt be so sure about that.
by jinonexd September 15, 2007 2:58 PM PDT
Recently Verizon has been releasing quite sexy phones which will surely change the way people think about Verizon Wireless. With the release of the Lg Chocolate II, The two V Cast TV phones and the Razr2 v9, things are really starting to shape up. Yes, I know..They've done some real dumb things like the alteration of the first Chocolate phone. I think they're really going somewhere now. The Moto Razr v9 exactly resembles the Razr2 v8/ v9(GSM unlocked versions). Be sure to look out for more exciting news from Verizon.
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