Verizon could get even sexier
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.
