Samsung Mandel » Gadgetorama

AT&T announces LTE-enabled Windows Phone Samsung Focus 2

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

May 072012

AT&T today announced the Samsung Focus 2 (SGH-i667). As expected, it is none other than the rumoured Samsung Mandel, an affordable LTE-enabled Windows Phone device. It is the third Windows Phone LTE device to be launched by AT&T after the Nokia Lumia 900 and HTC Titan II.

“AT&T offers our customers the broadest Windows Phone portfolio of any carrier, with three 4G LTE Windows Phones – the only 4G LTE Windows Phones in the U.S. – now at a variety of price points and form factors,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. “The Samsung Focus 2 brings the people-first Windows Phone interface together with AT&T’s fast 4G LTE network for an unbeatable experience.”

Samsung Focus 2 specifications:

Operating system: Windows Phone 7.5
Cellular connectivity: Quad-band GSM / tri-band UMTS/ dual-band LTE
Other connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Display: 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED
Input: Capacitive touchscreen
Storage: 8GB onboard
Rear-facing camera: 5MP AF with 720p HD video capture
Front-facing camera: VGA
Battery: 1,750mAh
Dimensions / weight: 121.7 x 62.7 x 10.9 millimeters / 122 grams

AT&T will offer the Samsung Galaxy Focus 2 for US$49.99 with a two-year contract starting on May 20^th.

There is no word yet on whether it will also be available in Canada.

LTE Windows Phone Samsung Mandel caught on camera?

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

May 042012

While Samsung has confirmed that it is working on Windows Phone 8 devices, the status of one of its rumoured Windows Phone 7.5 devices appears to be in limbo. The LTE-enabled Samsung Mandel (model number SGH-i667) was first thought be one of three new Windows Phone 7.5 devices that AT&T would introduce at CES 2012. While the carrier did announce the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan 2, the Mandel was a no-show. Rumours as recent as early April still suggested that it would get launched.

In the meantime, a couple of images (courtesy of Chinese site WPXAP) have given us a glimpse at the Mandel and suggest again that it is a real device. The AT&T branding shows up on an image showing us the desktop sync.

Rumoured Samsung SGH-i667 Mandel

Little new information is revealed but it does appear that the Mandel would come with 8GB of internal memory (of which 5.61GB would be available).

Samsung (or AT&T for that matter) may have decided to pass on the Mandel as they gear up for Windows Phone 8. Then again, maybe it will appear as a entry-level LTE device this summer.

Samsung confirms it is working on Windows Phone 8 devices

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

Apr 132012

Samsung Rumours earlier this week suggested that Samsung was working on two Windows Phone 8 (codename Apollo) devices. Samsung Taiwan today confirmed the rumours in an interview with ePrice, adding that it expects to have its first Windows Phone 8 device out later this year.

Samsung Taiwan added that it will not release any further Windows Phone 7.5 devices. The comment is likely specific to the Taiwan market as a number of rumours have hinted that the LTE-enabled Samsung Mandel (model number SGH-i667) will be launched by AT&T before that. The Mandel is expected to run Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh (Tango).

Microsoft is widely expected to launch Windows Phone 8 in late 2012, possibly in October. This would put Samsung’s launch at October at the earliest as well (possibly as one of the launch partners).

Read more: ePrice.tw (in Chinese) [Google translation] (Source: Unwired View)

Samsung to launch 3 Windows Phone devices in 2012 including LTE Mandel?

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

Apr 092012

Samsung With all the attention that Nokia and its Lumia devices are getting, it’s sometimes hard to remember that they are not the only manufacturer offering Windows Phone devices. Among these, Samsung has partnered with Microsoft since the launch of Windows Phone. According to Chinese website WPDang, it is gearing up to launch three new devices this year.

The first device it will reportedly launch is the Samsung Mandel (model number SGH-i667). Already the topic of conversations, it is expected to come with LTE connectivity and a WVGA display. The “SGH-i” model prefix suggests it is headed to AT&T. It will run the Windows Phone Refresh.

Little is known about the next two devices but they will likely run Windows Phone 8 (codename Apollo). This suggests a release in the second half of the year.

Samsung last year released the Windows Phone 7.5 Focus S and Focus Flash.

Read more: WPDang (in Chinese) [Google translation] (Source: Unwired View)

Windows Phone Samsung Mandel confirmed by UAProf?

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

Jan 112012

Rumours had suggested that AT&T would introduce three new Windows Phone devices at CES 2012. Only two, the HTC Titan II and Nokia Lumia 900, were announced with the Samsung Mandel missing in action. While it remains unclear why it was not announced, a UAProf document obtained by PocketNow suggests that the device does in fact exist.

The document for the Samsung SGH-i667 shows a device with a WVGA screen resolution and Internet Explorer as the browser, suggesting it is a Windows Phone device. The “SGH-i” prefix hints at an AT&T device. The document also confirms LTE connectivity. Together, it all points to it being the Samsung Mandel.

Did Samsung and AT&T decide to postpone the announcement? Could it be instead announced at the upcoming Mobile World Congress? Stay tuned…

HTC Radiant and Samsung Mandel LTE Windows Phone devices coming to AT&T?

Posted by Jerome Skalnik Comments Off

Dec 292011

Both HTC and Samsung appear set to join Nokia in getting LTE Windows Phone devices ready probably sometime in early 2012. According to “people familiar with Microsoft’s plans,” both devices will sport a pre-Tango version of Windows Phone with LTE support.

Little is known about the HTC Radiant. A little more is known about the Samsung device. Codenamed Mandel, it will apparently sport a display larger than the 4.3-inch one found on the Samsung Focus S.

As for carriers that could offer the new devices, WinSupersite’s Paul Thurrott reports that the HTC Radiant and Samsung Mandel will join the Nokia Ace at AT&T. The Nokia Ace will be out first, as early as March 18^th with the other two to follow before the middle of 2012. It’s unclear whether any of these will also be offered on Verizon’s LTE network (past rumours suggested Verizon was testing the Lumia 800). Formal announcements could come at CES in early January 2012.