Details emerge on Samsung's U740 for Verizon

by Chris Ziegler, posted Nov 16th 2006 at 5:09PM

Mixed in with the hoopla surrounding the MediaFLO-capable U620 yesterday came another gem: more details on the dual-hinge U710, which has apparently turned out to be the U740 (you say "po-tay-to," I say "po-tah-to"). Like the U620, the U740 is destined for Verizon and -- in theory, anyway -- offers the benefits of a full QWERTY layout while maintaining the usability and portability of a clamshell. Specs should include a 1.3 megapixel cam, microSD expansion, Bluetooth, and that all-important EV-DO radio, though we still don't have word on a drop date.

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Verizon Wireless, 1xRTT, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: dual hinge, dual-hinge, DualHinge, samsung, u710, u740, verizon, verzion wireless, VerzionWireless, vzw

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

david @ Nov 16th 2006 6:14PM

The folks at HowardForums say it will drop December 12th.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1005318&page=2&pp=15

Neutral

elgee02 @ Nov 16th 2006 7:56PM

The vx9900 will still compare favorably to this phone, although I do like that Verizon is adding a 2nd non-pda/smartphone with qwerty.

Neutral

Bruce Chapman @ Nov 17th 2006 10:19AM

I wonder if Cingular will carry a GSM version of this phone?

Neutral

Damo @ Nov 17th 2006 10:47AM

Will IM'ing use data plan or text message plan?

Neutral

elgee02 @ Nov 17th 2006 12:13PM

IMing will still use a text plan, but through my own personal use I found that Verizon's $20 a month bundle (unlimited IN TEXT/PIX/FLIX, 2500 to other carriers or IM) is sufficient for most moble IMers, even frequent users.

Neutral

JP @ Nov 17th 2006 1:54PM

I want a folding qwerty phone. I don't think it needs a dual hinge. How sweet would the Q be, for example, if it just folded in half? Maybe it's a pipe dream.

Neutral

HTC Kid @ Nov 17th 2006 10:14PM

Soon my friends soon... was in beta testing recently and once thats the point not far away :-)

Neutral

VZW Fred @ Nov 18th 2006 8:58PM

This phone looks very exciting, though I am concerned about the durability of the dual hinge.I'll go ahead and summarize the comments of those who won't like this phone: "Verizon UI blah blah blah blah crippled bluetooth blah blah blah blah no obex blah blah blah no mp3 ringtones blah blah blah blah blah greedy blah blah."

Neutral

nycz.sleepy @ Nov 26th 2006 9:51PM

Does this phone support VZ Navigator?

Neutral

elgee02 @ Dec 1st 2006 8:22PM

The phone will support VZ Nav, and the last release date I heard was around Jan 9

Neutral

DB @ Dec 8th 2006 2:38PM

Any body know what the expected price will be?

Neutral

Martin @ Dec 24th 2006 3:03AM

I mean, really, what's the point of having a bulky qwerty phone if it's not even got some type of PDA OS on it (Palm, Symbian, or PPC)? Ooooh text messaging. Honestly, T9 is just fine for shooting out something quick. Now don't get me wrong, I own a Cingular 8525 but only because it has PPC on it (or some form of PDA OS). But these in between phones really don't do well as either a phone or a pda and they're too big to justify as either. Now if only they came out with something like the Blackberry Pearl suretype with a PDA OS with the form factor of the Samsung SYNC (flip phone with big screen and thin). That would be a phone to die for. Basically I want the Cingular 3125 with 3g and suretype.

Neutral

Martin @ Dec 24th 2006 3:05AM

Oh and a touch screen

Neutral

Eug�ne MUPENZI @ Jan 9th 2007 1:22AM

How can I buy this phone when I live in Rwanda, Kigali, and How can it each me?

Neutral

elgee02 @ Jan 15th 2007 4:32PM

Not overkill at all. The other qwerty non PDA/Smartphone with VZW, the VX990 "enV" is a HOT seller and gets great feedback. I imagine this new Samsung will be too, if it holds up.

Neutral

elgee02 @ Jan 15th 2007 8:06PM

Pantech 820

Neutral

JR @ Jan 17th 2007 2:41PM

Does anybody know of any true smart-flip phones in the pipeline?

Neutral

JR @ Jan 24th 2007 11:59AM

Why would they go to the trouble of putting full QWERTY if no OS on the phone? Why no Windows Mobile or Palm? Full QWERTY for texting only seems like overkill. Thoughts?

Neutral

skeptic @ Feb 10th 2007 11:58PM

yeah, having a full keypad when you text thousands of times per month is just silly. and overkill is a great way to put it... sounds like 15 years ago... a FLIP phone?? seems like overkill! great comment.

Neutral

skeptic @ Feb 11th 2007 12:03AM

oh, and the release date is feb 14th

Neutral

Drewbyh @ Mar 2nd 2007 2:04PM

It should be noted that, according to Samsung, the bluetooth on this phone is only 1.1 :( That sucks!

Neutral

Steve @ Mar 2nd 2007 3:23PM

For those interested in the IM, VZW now has Unlimited in with 5000 out of network for the same $20 price, so double the text!

Neutral

allison @ Mar 13th 2007 10:49AM

You have to remember too...the full keyboard is not just used for texting. I currently have the LG V and I use the keyboard for e-mailing and internet...

Neutral

logan @ Mar 21st 2007 11:29PM

i have had this phone for a lil over a month and i have no complaints. the IM is perfect, the texting is perfect, i have relatively big fingers and can still type with close to no errors. this phone is alot smaller than the env or that other env-like phone and i think is better because you can talk on it with the comfort of a clamshell phone. the hinge is still solid and just has a lil play. i never use bluetooth so that is not of concern to me. i absolutely love it.

Neutral

Kris @ Jul 16th 2007 5:19PM

I have this phone... It's really good. IMing is fun, texting is fast and easy, and it's fun to just flip it around while everybody says, "Can I see it?" and they get really confused as to how it works. A lot of my friends have done that, it's amusing to watch them. =]

Overkill for a full QWERTY keyboard!? I really don't think so. I can text a lot faster with this phone and don't have to wait to do double letters (or push the right arrow button). And switching it from Num Lock to regular is fast and easy, too.

I love having this phone. My mom has the enV but I wanted this because it fits more comfortably in my pocket (which is where it is most of the time!)The buttons are small, but it's hard to make mistakes if you're used to it.

Hope this helps!

Kris (14 y/o)

Neutral

Kara @ Jul 30th 2007 5:20PM

So here'se the deal... Im new to the whole "flip phone" thing due to the fact that I have owned a Sidekick for many, many years now. I decided to switch to Verizon and go with a smaller phone, so I bought the u740. It has not came in yet, and now I am afraid I will not like it because the lack of internet capibilities and NO UNLIMITED text/IM. Can anyone tell me what the pros/cons are about this phone, HONESTLY. Can you go online? Is 5000 text/IM/email enough? Is is really durable? Is the screen big enough? Anything else? Thanks...

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