News phones from Samsung and LG
March 20, 2003
Samsung Electronics and LG introduced new handsets for the European
and Asian markets, including a wristwatch phone and videophones
for 3G wireless networks.
The two new models are the companies' first 3G handsets for the
European market. Samsung and LG are the world's third- and sixth-largest
mobile phone makers, respectively.
Market analysts said the phones were very small and light compared
with rival models from Motorola, NEC and Nokia, which will also
be on the market this year.
Samsung and LG officials said their respective SGH-Z100 and U8100
would be available to consumers towards the end of 2003.
The SGH-Z100 weights 120 gram and when folded, the size is 95 x
50 x of 26mm. The phone is duel mode and can operator in the GSM
frequencies 900/1800 MHz. The phone is equipped with two displays.
The inner screen has 262,144 colours according to Samsung.
LG-U8100 - a dual-band handset that is compatible with both GSM/GPRS
and W-CDMA services. The handset comes with a 2.2-inch, 26,000 color-pixel
TFT-LCD screen. It also features a 300,000-pixel digital camera
and various multimedia features such as VOD and MMS.
Wireless telecoms carriers in Europe are this year launching high-speed
mobile networks, about 18 months later than originally planned due
to interoperability teething problems and a lack of handsets that
can switch between 3G and existing 2G networks.
Operators believe video is the main reason why consumers will want
to replace their current phones with a 3G model. On current 2G networks,
video calls and video clips are either impossible or of very low
quality.
The wristwatch phone, with a wireless headset, could also be launched
this year, Samsung officials said.
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3G Motorola A920
