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Samsung teases new smartphones, talks branding

Company says its upcoming Galaxy W, Galaxy M Pro, Galaxy Y, and Galaxy Y Pro will come with Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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The upcoming Samsung Galaxy M Pro.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy M Pro. Samsung

All four of Samsung's upcoming smartphones will come with Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, the company said today.

Samsung plans to show off four new smartphones--the Galaxy W, Galaxy M Pro, Galaxy Y, and the Galaxy Y Pro--at the IFA Conference in Berlin early next month. To whet customer appetites, the company today offered a few details on each phone--on top of them joining the growing number of rivals that feature the latest version of Google's mobile operating system.

The Samsung Galaxy W will boast a 1.4GHz processor and a 3.7-inch touch screen. It will support HSDPA 14.4 Mbps connectivity.

The Galaxy M Pro, designed for business customers, will offer a full physical QWERTY keyboard and support enterprise-oriented software, including Exchange Active Sync, Sybase Afaria, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco's WebEx platform.

The Galaxy Y will ship with a touch screen, a 832MHz processor, and multiple colors.

The Galaxy Y Pro will boast a QWERTY keyboard, but also include a touch screen. The business-focused handset will also come with ThinkFree mobile office, so users can edit Office documents from the device.

Related stories:
• A list of Samsung smartphones
• CNET's review of the Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung to announce U.S. Samsung Galaxy S II at August 29 event

However, perhaps the question now is, what do all those designations after the "Galaxy" name mean? Samsung provided a quick guide today:

  • "S" (super smart). Devices at the top of Samsung's mobile lineup. This designation is used only for flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S, which has sold 10 million units worldwide.
  • "R" (royal/refined). Premium category models.
  • "W" (wonder). For people seeking "style and performance."
  • "M" (magical). Budget friendly models.
  • "Y" (young). Models aimed at emerging markets or younger consumers.
  • "Pro" means the device includes a QWERTY keyboard.
  • "Plus" indicates the phone is an upgrade from an existing model.
  • "LTE" means the device is designed to use 4G Long-Term Evolution connectivity standards.

Conspicuously missing from Samsung's discussion on new smartphones is its Galaxy S II. That smartphone, which has been selling well outside the U.S. since its release in May, is expected to make its U.S. debut at a event Samsung is hosting Monday.

The Galaxy S II has scored high marks from reviewers who say the device might just be the top Android handset on the market. In its review of the Samsung Galaxy S II, CNET said the device is "Samsung's most advanced and successful smartphone to date."

Check back for CNET's coverage of the IFA Conference early next month when details on these Samsung smartphones, among other handsets, will be announced.