Apple, HTC, Samsung Launch Hot Smartphones this Summer

by Michelle Maisto

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 4 June 7, joking that some in Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference audience may “already seen this.” The newest version is thinner than the iPhone 3G S and features a larger battery, a proprietary A4 processor, a front-facing camera for video conferencing and a 5-megapixel camera on the back.

The iPhone 4G will arrive in black or white options June 24 on the AT&T network. With a two-year service contract, a 16GB version will retail for $199 and a 32GB version for $299.

The Samsung Galaxy S kicked off its worldwide debut on the Asia-based telecom SingTel June 6. Rich with location-based features and apps, as well as Android and a 4-inch display, Samsung hopes South Koreans will find the Galaxy S more customized to their lives than the Apple iPhone.

Sprint launched the HTC Evo 4G June 4. Its the nations first smartphone to connect to both 3G and 4G networks where available—as well as offer a 4G WiFi cloud to up to eight WiFi-capable devices.

The Evo 4G runs the Android 2.1 operating system, HTCs Sense user interface and features a 4.3-inch touch display, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, two cameras and a kickstand for easy viewing of videos. Its priced at $199 with a two-year contract and mail-in rebate from Sprint.

Motorola introduced the Milestone XT720 June 7, calling it one of the thinnest smartphones around. Its 10mm thick, features an 8-megapixel camera and runs the Android OS. Milestone is also the name Moto used for the Droid in non-U.S. markets—is a U.S. Droid update nigh?

The Motorola Milestone supports an HDMI cable, so HD video taken with the smartphone can be ported to a television. Its fancy camera includes 10-times digital zoom, a 720p HD camcorder and features such as red-eye reduction, face detection and multi-shot. Pricing has yet to be announced.

The Nokia E73 pairs a 2.4-inch QVGA display with a four-row QWERTY keypad and support for Microsoft Mail for Exchange and business applications that allow users to edit and view files on the phone. It will retail on T-Mobile for $69.99.

As feature phones go, the LG dLite looks like a good time. It will come in a choice of Bubblegum or Electric Blue, and a hidden LED matrix on the outside of the phone lights up to display the time or announce a call or other programmed alerts.

A Social Buzz application on the dLite helps users to keep tabs on friends, offering the option of streaming together data from a number of social-networking sites. The dLite will arrive on the T-Mobile network this summer.

The LG Sentio is also coming to T-Mobile and will include Social Buzz. Users can enjoy the app on the Sentios 3-inch touchscreen. Also included are a virtual qwerty keypad, Web browsing, 3G connectivity, a 3-megapixel camera with video playback and an MP3 player.

T-Mobiles third new feature phone for the summer is the LG GS170 clamshell, spiffy in fire-engine red. Under the hood is support for email and texting, Bluetooth 2.1, a VGA camera and what T-Mobile says is an intuitive user interface.

The Motorola Flipout is said to “pivot,” twisting to reveal the five-row QWERTY keypad hiding behind its 2.8-inch square touch display.

The Moto Flipout runs Android 2.1 and an updated version of MotoBlur, and supports Adobe Flash and Microsoft Exchange. Pricing has yet to be announced, but color choices on its back side are summery shades of saffron, raspberry and lime.