AT&T unleashes a 6-pack of phones including the Nokia E71x, LG Xenon, more
Well would you look at that — AT&T has gone ahead and announced six new handsets including the Nokia E71x, LG Neon and Xenon, Samsung Magnet, Propel Pro and Impression just days before CTIA Wireless gets underway in Las Vegas. Starting off with the biggest and baddest of the bunch, the Nokia E71x, the sexy fully-QWERTY S60 device we are sure everyone is more than familiar with now due to a series of Bold-esque delays, will be available to customers “in the coming weeks” for the amazingly cool price of $99.99. Next up on the block is the Samsung Propel Pro, a device we scooped not too long ago. Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 and featuring a sliding full-QWERTY keypad and Wi-Fi, the Propel Pro will be available starting April 14 for $149.99. After that we have the LG Xenon, a device which captured our attention just yesterday when it was first spotted in the wild. If, of course, features a touchscreen display, sliding QWERTY keypad, 2 megapixel camera, GPS and HSDPA connectivity. Look for it April 8 for $99.99. Now on to some low-end devices. First up is the Samsung Impression with it’s 3.2″ AMOLED display and 3 megapixel camera. It will go for $199.99 come April 7.
Now we have the Samsung Magnet, a low-cost QWERTY candybar device that is aimed at all of the teens that text more than study and can’t afford something hot like a BlackBerry Bold. It has yet to be priced and no release date has been given. This brings us to the last of the new, the very unremarkable LG Neon. It has a 2 megapixel camera, sliding QWERTY keypad and, what do you know, a touch screen. It too has yet to be priced and given a release date. Now, kids, are we happy with what we’re seeing or are we disappointed? Let us know in the comment section.
DALLAS, March 30, 2009 – Text messaging and email are still the ‘killer app’ for mobile phone data use and AT&T is responding with a great new lineup of phones for the Spring season. AT&T* today announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go. Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T’s leading mobile phone portfolio.
In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung PropelTM Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality. In addition, the Samsung ImpressionTM and Samsung MagnetTM, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T’s lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T’s lineup to seven. Pictures of the new lineup are available at www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.
“Smartphones and quick messaging phones are no longer for early-adopters and text-happy teens,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The ability to text often, or check your email from a phone is easy and more customers demand these features. These phones are a great addition to our best-in-class lineup and we can’t wait to get them in our customers’ hands in the coming weeks.”
Nokia E71x
The thinnest smartphone on the market, the Nokia E71x, will be available in the coming weeks for $99.99 and features a black steel finish and award-winning design. The Nokia smartphone, based on S60 on Symbian OSTM offers the Wi-Fi and the flexibility of many Symbian-based applications, in addition to AT&T’s most popular services, including AT&T Navigator. The Nokia E71x is just 10 millimeters thin and will turn heads when you text friends, or check your corporate or personal email. Customers can learn more at http://www.att.com/nokiaE71x.
Samsung PropelTM Pro
The Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1 allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos. Evolving from the popular Samsung PropelTM, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with Wi-Fi will look to the Propel Pro, available in April for $149.99.
Samsung ImpressionTM
The nation’s first commercially available AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays in the U.S. and is paired with a keyboard underneath an amazingly slim, metallic blue quick messaging phone that’s all touch screen on the outside, all buttons on the inside. On sale for $199.99, the Impression has an included 3.0 megapixel camcorder-capable camera, 3.2-inch screen and full browser to maximize every pixel of color.
LG Xenon
A quick messaging phone boasting a full keypad for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors and large touch screen display with customizable and intuitive user interface, the 3G-powered LG Xenon snaps 2.0 megapixel photos and offers the full suite of AT&T entertainment services such as AT&T Navigator, Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, and more. Xenon will be available in three colors: black, blue and red for $99.99. The Xenon is also featured in MTV’s upcoming series “The Phone”, executive produced by Justin Timberlake.
LG Neon
Teens and text-happy adults will enjoy the LG Neon, a low-cost touch screen device available in the coming weeks. The green and white quick messaging phone features a full keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, and access to Instant Messaging, Mobile Email, AT&T Music, and the mobile Internet.
Samsung MagnetTM
The Magnet is an incredibly slim orange and black bar-shaped device that will appeal to teens who need a low-cost, quick messaging phone. The Magnet features a WAP browser and integrated camera in its sleek package and will be offered at an affordable price in the coming weeks.
All six devices can be paired with messaging bundles offering 200, 1500, and unlimited messages that cost $5, $15 and $20, respectively. Unlimited messaging is available for AT&T FamilyTalk® plan customers for all lines for $30. Data plans vary per device.
Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.
For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com. For product photos, visit www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.
@Noigel: Check that Nokia page again. Or AT&Ts page. Or GSMArena. E71x HAS wi-fi (WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g).
In fact the only way it’s crippled in the hardware is the front-facing camera. And the OS is actually much MORE advanced – S60 3.2 versus 3.1.
Only two real downsides: 1) AT&T crippling capabilities somewhat; and 2) AT&T smartphone data plan.
@iBold
No offense. I am a died hard Nokia Fans. I have checked out at NokiaUSA it state NO wifi
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/NokiaE71x/index.jsp
The ATT ads states that “Wi-Fi not available in all areas. Use of AT&T’s Wi-Fi service requires a subscription to an AT&T PDA Data, or PDA Unlimited Data Plan”
@Noigel
That means ATT wifi hotspots. It has a wifi radio and you can use it anywhere you can use wifi.
I’ve had the pleasure to play with a few of these devices, and I must say…
e71x is pretty (carbon fibre battery door). It fits nicely in the hand, thin yet usable keyboard area. Only complaint is the unlocking scenario, but guess it’s required to not have your ass call someone if you keep the phone in your back pocket.
The samsung impression was nice as well, touch works smoothly, has Navigator pre-installed. Screen is very nice, and unlike the LG’s is very clear and visible in even bright sunlight. As a dumb feature phone, it’s got most features that people would actually use. Only thing I didn’t like was the e-mail program because it didn’t support gmail (or give me a way to add my own provider… only comes with a list of approved e-mail services).
The only thing that I found missing on the E71x was the threaded messaging…. After using WinMo 6.1, RIM devices, and the iPhone, for a smartphone to NOT have threaded messaging just drives me crazy.
@ Noigel:
Go Here – http://www.nokiausa.com/A41443125
Under “Communication and navigation” –> “Data network”, you will see: “WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g” This is the technical name for WiFi.
I think you’re confusing AT&T’s wifi hotspot SERVICE with the E71x’s wifi capability.
This is like confusing range of the car with the length of the road. They are basically unrelated, except both refer to distances.
Will this E71x be required to be under the Smartphone/PDA ATT plan like the Blackberry’s or can I get it under a regular talk plan?
I can’t afford to plan for data on top of talk.
gracias
Why isn’t anyonme talking about The Samsung Propel Pro. As a windows mobile fan, this sounds very exciting.
^Maybe because every single day there are fewer and fewer of you?
Yeah. Who cares about WinMo. Every day, there are fewer and fewer of you. Every single day. Fewer and fewer. That’s right. Join the iPhone revolution, baby! iPhone will solve all of your problems. Hell, it has even been found to cure mild forms of cancer!
^You can ‘blame’ the iPhone for the attrition of WinMo users if you want to, but you’re on your own. Buddy. Then again, maybe >4 years of vitually no OS development has something to do with it. Just maybe.
@ backbeat
Personally I think it has a lot to do with MS contentment with a lackluster product and no desire to really update it. I don’t think it has much to do with the Jesus phone. Or RIM. More like a combination of everything…
^Regardless of what was the basis of MS’s lack of initiative, they’re losing badly due to it. The timing of both RIM and Apple’s assault on the market has plenty to do with the period where WM began to lose its steam. 7 doesn’t especially look terribly promising either.
Regardless of what some of your opinions might be about Windows Mobile, the Propel pro looks like a great phone. 3G, wifi, 3 megapixel auto focus camera, great battery and a slide out keyboard for 149! And that joystick looks like it’s gonna blow the socks out of Rims trackball!
^Samsung has been using that same hardware design for 4 years, ie, i730. Sure the specs are updated, but the specs you list are the minimum acceptable today. Don’t get me wrong. It will sell, but it’s no trend-setter or market-leader.
at&t reps did training on the e71x this past week and in the coming weeks and it does infact have wifi.
i played with the samsung impression. very nice touch screen phone. kind of like the eternity but doesnt feel as cheap. keyboard is quite nice and spaced out.
To any AT&T people, when will the Xenon be coming out? I am eligible for an upgrade and I was wondering if it would be out any time soon like within the month. Thanks!
the Xenon and Impression have hit most stores now – They are both pretty nice phones. I wish that Samsung or LG would come out with something in a similar design, but with smartphone capabilities, because Samsungs latest smartphone, the Epix, is just a slightly upgraded Blackjack with no real change to the physical design… and LG’s smartphone, the Incite, is complete and utter garbage – we’ve had a 75% return rate on that stinker.
The E71 is supposed to be hitting stores late April.
@att rep
how reliable is your info on the e71 release?
Any updates on when the e71 release?