Samsung announces Galaxy Chat for international markets
Designed for socially active users, the Android 4.0 smartphone features the rare portrait QWERTY keyboard.
Samsung Electronics today announced the Galaxy Chat, an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone designed with socialites in mind. Initially available in Spain later this month, the handset will expand to Europe, Latin America, Middle East, China, Southeast Asia, and Southwest Asia over the coming months.
The Galaxy Chat sports an uncommon design, which includes a portrait QWERTY keyboard set below a 3-inch QVGA display. The official announcement does not indicate the processor speed or manufacturer, nor does it list how much memory the phone offers.
But considering the known details and Samsung's claim that it will be offered at a "competitive price," I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than a 1GHz CPU with 512MB RAM. That said, the Galaxy Chat does provide users with 4GB internal storage, a 2-megapixel rear camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, microSD expansion, and a 1,200mAh battery.
What the handset lacks in power, it makes up in software as the Galaxy Chat comes with a number of Samsung's apps and services. Users can benefit from the company's Game Hun, AllShare Play, Quick Office, ChatON, S Planner, and more. Samsung also has spruced things up a bit on the user interface front, incorporating 3D effects for icons, a customizable Favorites tray, and shortcuts to apps from the lock screen.
Look for more specific details, including carrier announcements and pricing, to surface in the coming days. Seeing as how similar Samsung models have previously stayed outside of North America, I wouldn't anticipate this model coming to local carriers any time soon.