In my recent post on “QWERTY compromise” I figured out (obviously) I’m not the only one craving for a high-end smartphone with huge screen and full QWERTY keyboard. As a matter of fact, most commentators agreed though some said they don’t need the physical keyboard with Swype running on their phone. Point taken, but what about editing documents? Don’t you want to see more text on the screen? I find it natural but then again – I actually do edit documents on my smartphone pretty regularly. That said the physical keyboard would suit my needs and I’m willing to compromise to carry a bit bulkier device around.
Flashback to June 2010 when Sprint announced the Samsung Epic 4G. I thought it’s the best phone ever made. We’ve even heard the European version, dubbed Samsung Galaxy S Pro, will be unveiled shortly, though that never happened. Again (like I said in my previous rant on QWERTY phones), why that’s the case is beyond me.
Later on when I had a chance to actually try out the Epic 4G, I was quickly disappointed with its too flat keyboard. If I can’t feel the buttons with my thumbs, they don’t do me any good – I’ll type slower not faster. Not sure how this “tiny detail” was missed by Samsung engineers…
Back to 2011. During the Mobile World Congress Samsung announced the Galaxy S II (or that’s Galaxy S2) with the idea to repeat the success of the original Galaxy S. As I’m writing this, Sammy’s high-end baby is selling like hot cupcakes throughout Europe and will most likely sell like crazy in the U.S. too (once major operators grab it). Now I want to see the Galaxy S2 Pro (or Galaxy S II Pro). It should have IDENTICAL specs plus great (better than the one on Epic 4G) side-sliding QWERTY keyboard. From your comments I know I’m not the only one who will grab such a device, quite the contrary. Am I right?