FCC shows Samsung Z400 - Samsung’s first Direct-Connect handset for Sprint
By Will Park on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 1:31 PM PST In Announcements, Devices, FCC, Samsung, Sprint
The FCC is always good for getting the down-low on un-announced, un-released handsets.
It looks like Samsung is getting into the DirectConnect game. How Sprint (NYSE: S) managed to convince Samsung to hop on-board its struggling CDMA-based DirectConnect bandwagon is beyond us - although, it’s a better wagon to hop aboard than Nextel’s dying iDEN network. The Samsung Z400 will be rebranding Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s QChat PTT technology for use as Sprint’s DirectConnect. We’re not used to seeing a DirectConnect handset on Sprint Nextel that didn’t bear a Motorola (NYSE: MOT) logo, but hey, times are a-changin’.
The FCC has just dropped the ball on Samsung’s Z400, the company’s first DirectConnect handset destined for Sprint. With a rugged casing, OLED external display, dual-antenna setup, stereo speakers, Bluetooth, EVDO and camera, the Samsung Z400 looks to be headed to Sprint’s mid-range lineup - destined to pull duty as a blue-collar fleet-phone.
Oh, and a quick peak at the user’s manual reveals a “Chat and Dating” service - interesting indeed.
Pricing and availability are not yet known.
More pics of the ugly rugged Samsung Z400 on the link…
