Verizon lays out upcoming smartphone lineup; Samsung i760 comes first

No surprises in the mix here, but we're delighted to see that Verizon is finally getting official with four smart devices that have been rumored to be in its pipeline for ages. Of the four, only the i760 from Samsung's been priced and slated for release -- October 19 online, November 2 in stores for $350 on contract after rebates -- featuring Windows Mobile 6 Professional, QWERTY slide-out and offset numeric keypads, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The XV6800 succeeds the tired XV6700, going up against Sprint's Mogul by offering the HTC Titan reference design in a custom Verizon skin; it shows up with a 2 megapixel cam, WiFi, and a full QWERTY keyboard. Already released on several CDMA carriers, the HTC Libra sees the light of day on Verizon as the SMT5800 bearing Windows Mobile 6 Standard and a 2 megapixel cam (we loved the Libra's GSM cousin, and we're guessing this one's great too). Finally, make some noise, Palm OS fans -- it's okay, don't be shy! Verizon finally gets down with the Treo 755p, a phone that could ultimately serve as the platform's swan song in the classic Treo form factor. As we mentioned, only the i760 has been priced and dated at this point, but we'll keep ya in the loop just as soon as we know more.

[sitruc @ Oct 18th 2007 1:24AM]

I'm guessing the Samsung i760 date is a date only because the phone has accidentally or unofficially been released a few times. It is nice to know Verizon isn't teasing us with release dates for the other PDA phones anymore though.

[steve @ Oct 27th 2007 12:27PM]

It's definitely out and for sale on the site. Not particularly thrilled with it, but maybe it needs some user burn in...

[Jesse S @ Oct 18th 2007 1:31AM]

Finally, the i760 is confirmed. Now, to get that, or an N810?

[Atman @ Oct 18th 2007 1:36AM]

does it have multi-touch?

[Snitch @ Oct 18th 2007 1:37AM]

Verizon its getting some nice phones but $80 just for unlimited data not even including voice minutes + 9.99 for gps use, no Thanx verizon you can keep your phones, ill take unlimited edge + 200 sms + 450 minutes for $59.99 anytime, no wonder apple gave them the finger LOL

[Jesse S @ Oct 18th 2007 1:43AM]

The data is overpriced, but it's only $45. You don't need the $15 tethering plan.

And enjoy finding ATT coverage!

[Jerry @ Oct 18th 2007 1:45AM]

Get your facts straight, verizon declined apple.

[Snitch @ Oct 18th 2007 2:04AM]

yeah right keep dreaming, apple had the last word

[Reader @ Oct 18th 2007 1:55AM]

Apple went with whoever they could rip off the most.

[Snitch @ Oct 18th 2007 2:06AM]

dude I have both your right verizon its better no thought, but ATT its not like it use to be back in the days there service has improve alot so much in 2 month when my verizon contract is done am dropping it an getting my wife the Jesus phone also, honestly the only thing i hated about verizon its how the system mutes your voice when theres static on the line so you wont hear it, it kind of suck and gets you confuse sometimes

[Snitch @ Oct 18th 2007 2:15AM]

Screw apple screw att and verizon but, again what makes the iphone more atractive is the calling plan $59.99 a month for all unlimited data SMS and voice no way you can get a deal like that from verizon not in this life time similar plan from verizon would cost you over $100 add it up and see who's ripping who off by yourself

[John M @ Oct 18th 2007 11:16AM]

You fanbois manage to make any story you can about apple...thats just sick

[Brad @ Oct 18th 2007 2:21PM]

@snitch:
Actually, $59.99 gets you:
"unlimited" data (limited by the fact that it's so slow you couldn't possibly use that much in a month)
200 Text Messages
5000 Nights / Weekend (starting at 9, no carry-over)
450 minutes a month

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhoneCenter.html

But it's okay, you don't need to let facts get in the way of your mindless devotion to a company that abuses you financially and legally.

[Snitch @ Oct 18th 2007 2:52PM]

wrong roll over is available only on night and weekend minutes they are not , edge is slow (sometimes) but $59.99 plus everything else what more can you ask for also forgot to mention that for $5.00 extra I also get unlimited in network SMS and the extra 200 free SMS that come with my plan only get deducted when I SMS out of the nextwork which is perfect and in 6 months when the 3g model comes out I'll still be paying the same and get the same speed as verizon with out the extra ripp off charges

[jim @ Oct 18th 2007 1:40AM]

Verizon has great service (albeit overpriced), but crappy phones. None of these phones really change my mind on that.

[Mark @ Oct 19th 2007 11:45AM]

I think their service only appears great because its so expensive. Kind of like how Grey Goose is supposed to be the best, just because its more expensive.

[saq @ Oct 18th 2007 1:47AM]

That new samsung phone is seriously fugly.

[Jerry @ Oct 18th 2007 1:55AM]

I think its gorgeous :-) I'll be ordering one first thing!

[Logboy @ Oct 18th 2007 2:21AM]

Wow, yea i760 looks like a ST:TOS tri-corder :) I can't imagine carrying that around in my front pocket...

[Naveed @ Oct 18th 2007 2:28AM]

so why even mention the other phones that dont have dates?

[saq @ Oct 18th 2007 2:36AM]

Well Sprint has had their HTC Titan (basically a 2.5gen wizard) for what 6 months now? Verizon is so far behind their Titan launch that AT&T has actually released their HTC Kaiser (basically a 3gen wizard) first. To say that Verizon is slipping a little would b putting it mildly.

[kev @ Oct 18th 2007 7:05AM]

Sad times continue for fans of pocketable phones.

[j2sheck @ Oct 18th 2007 8:16AM]

Umm... Where's the Pearl??

Anyone else a little worried that the Pearl (which was rumored to have the same release date as the 755p) is not listed anywhere. Just like Verizon to swing it in front of our faces then not make mention of it for a month.

[Mic @ Oct 18th 2007 9:09AM]

The Pearl's release date was grouped together with the new LG phones coming out and the samsung juke. It was included in that publicity stunt a little time ago where verizon had that separate page with the flashlight thingy with the mouse where you could/couldn't see the phones clearly.

Why they've chosen to separate it from the rest of the PDA phone is a mystery, which is no surprise coming from verizon.

[Joachim Weyl @ Oct 18th 2007 2:04PM]

If you want the best data coverage go with Helio, Unlimited everything and 500 min for $65 per month, not that the Ocean beats the iPhone on all fronts but for most things it leaves it in the dust. Take a look at the comparison, granted its created by Helio so a bit unfair but still gives you an idea. http://compare.helio.com/

[ckeegan @ Oct 18th 2007 8:26AM]

First of all, I'm waiting for the 6800 for Verizon. Secondly, I have no clue what you people are talking about when you say Verizon is so expensive for monthly service. I use approximately 2,000 minutes per month, "unlimited" data, unlimited IN-messaging plus 5,000 extra txt/pix/flix, and I pay $129.99/mo. Same plan on AT&T would cost me $20 more a month ($149.98/mo according to the AT&T store I went to yesterday). I also have to consider the fact that AT&T is too lazy to launch 3G in my market of over 1.2 million people. Sprint may have SERO, and may be the #2 carrier in my market, but they have yet to launch EV-DO, and the coverage is terrible (just made my wife switch).

[awchampion @ Oct 18th 2007 9:13AM]

Then I believe you're quite mistaken on pretty much every count.

Your $130 Verizon plan is nothing but expensive.
Verizon is the #2 wirless carrier after AT&T.
Sprint does have an EV/DO network.
Verizon and Sprint coverage is almost identical.

This is not to say one service is better than the other -- they're all crap. I'm on Tmo with GPRS and have 600 anytime + unlimited everything for less than half of what you pay.

[ckeegan @ Oct 18th 2007 10:43AM]

awchampion, did you even read what I wrote? I'm just going to go point by point in your nonsense post.

1. I understand that $130 is expensive, but it's still not as expensive as I would have to pay if I switched to AT&T. In fact, Sprint SERO is the only place I would save money, and that's not going to happen.

2. I have no clue what your basis for Verizon being ranked behind AT&T is, but according to the 2007 wireless rankings by JD Power (published 15 days ago), AT&T is not ranked #1 or #2 in any region of the US in any category: Overall Satisfaction, Cost of Service, Billing, or Service Plan options.

3. When did I say Sprint didn't have an EV-DO network? I said that they don't have it in my market yet, which in itself is ridiculous considering I live in one of the top 50 CSAs in the US.

4. You saying Sprint and Verizon have identical coverage is a pretty bold statement considering there's no possible way you can make a blanket statement like that for the entire country. My wife and I belong to a private club on the 17th floor of a buiding in the middle of our downtown. Her old sprint phone = 0 bars, My XV6700 = 5 bars. Hardly identical.

5. So, you have TMo, have 30% of the minutes I use, and pay half as much as I do. I just called TMo sales, and an identical plan to what I currently have with Verizon would cost me $147.95/mo, or $17.96 more than what I currently pay. That's 2,000 minutes, unlimited txt/pix/flix, unlimited mobile2mobile, unlimited data, and total equipment protection. All that, and I could switch to a carrier with a half-assed/barely existent 3G data network.

5.5. I used to work for T-Mobile.

[Brad @ Oct 18th 2007 3:04PM]

One minor side note: Sprint's current plans all include "unlimited digital roaming" - though it's a bit deceptive: You won't get charged for incoming calls no matter who's network you're on, but you will get charged LONG DISTANCE if you make peak-hours calls from off-network. It's a little weird, but I'm never without an incoming signal if Verizon, Sprint, or Alltel have coverage.

[uberfu @ Oct 18th 2007 8:52AM]

That picture at the top just makes me want an iPhone that much more_

[Steve @ Oct 18th 2007 9:04AM]

Or you could go to Sprint on a SERO plan and get a Mogul with a $30 plan that includes 500 minutes, free data, free text. Can't beat that with a bat.

[McHoffa @ Oct 18th 2007 9:12AM]

I like the samsung.. a LOT... I have been waiting to see the pricing... but $350 on contract? Please tell me how verizon can charge that much with the iphone only $400? What about off contract? $600+??? And it's not even half the phone (except the slideout keyboard which I love)

disappointed, but at least I have coverage with verizon...

[Brad @ Oct 18th 2007 3:15PM]

They can charge $350 (or even $600) because it's a business device, and almost everyone carrying one will have it paid for by their company, employer, or write it off as a business expense. How many companies went out and bought all their staff iPhones? Well...Apple....but other than that?

The fundamental difference between the iPhone and all of these WinMo devices is their applicability to business. Exchange Support and an open platform may not mean as much to the average user (especially Exchange support), but the fact that I can be walking down the street and get a meeting confirmation, be told it conflicts with another, tap one button and tell everyone I need to reschedule because it conflicts, and have all of my meetings (whether entered from my phone, laptop, or by a co-worker) show up instantly? That has value to a business. I spend 70% of my day in meetings, and not having to log into ANYTHING to see those appointments (just tap the calendar button).

We also have a custom MRP system that runs through our WM devices. And if HTC ever starts treating us bad? We can skip over to one of a half-dozen other manufacturers of WinMo devices. With the iPhone? Always AT&T, always Apple.

iPhone != WinMo, Palm, or any PDA
iPhone ~= Sidekick

[Sir Vilhelm @ Oct 18th 2007 3:41PM]

Agree 100% with Brad.

These devices are for business and as soon as the HTC is released my Co is purchasing several for us. I work in IT and I cannot be without my email. The iPhone can't handle what I need it to in order to get my job done. Period.

[ericson @ Oct 19th 2007 1:11AM]

hello
i am interested on this item,
what is your asking price and i will be buying it,
do get bak to me as soon,

[sherilyn @ Nov 1st 2007 10:10PM]

I have had this phone for 1 week (well 1 week in about 12 hours) and let me say I love it!!! The price point is very reasonable. I paid $199 after using my new every two and agreed to go back to a dataplan on my pda. If I had not added data to my plan it would have been $299. It technically is not in the stores yet, but because I had been waiting for this phone the sales support let me get it they day they got a shipment in. You can also order it on their website.

My ONLY complaint (and according to samsung is a very popular complaint) is that the USB cable is a NON charging cable. So for now I have to plug my phone in twice. I have to synch via usb of course and then charge it via AC. Of course, if I got a bluetooth adapter for my laptop I might be able to skip the USB synch and go wireless instead. :)

[Mo @ Nov 9th 2007 11:07PM]

When i went in to get this phone they said i could not even activate the phone unless i payed for the Data plane. There was no choice involved. Oh and if i got the pay as you go Data plan they said the phone runs automatic updates and that i would be charged like 12 bucks for every 1Mb. Tell me there isn't something wrong with that if not down right illegal.

[Kamokazi @ Oct 18th 2007 9:49AM]

F I N A L L Y ! ! !

And for everyone hating on Verizon or trying to compare this to the iPhone:

1) It's Windows Mobile. Most people pick it for a specific reason (like installing 3rd party apps without worrying the next update is going to give you a $400 brick, perhaps?) So don't try and compare any WM device to the iPhone. Different devices for different audiences. Neither is better overall, just better for your personal needs.

2) Yes, these are crap comparted to the Tilt or similar device. But you have to realize that most people reading Engadget that are still on Verizon do it because of the reception, or because of family plans/business/mobile to mobile. (And anyone not using it for those reason should seriously consider a GSM carrier with better devices.) They have the best coverage, period. If you travel a lot, or live in the middle of frickin' nowhere (/raise hand), you really don't have any other choice.

So with all that said, I can't wait to get a hold of the 6800...finally, technology less than 3 years old, woohoo!

[peternj @ Oct 18th 2007 10:38AM]

I agree, Verizon has the best reception, the least dropped calls, voice mail arrives in seconds. They are bloody expensive. However apart from the nice iPhone data deal it's not so much more as to be a deal killer. If any of you guys drink you'll blow the difference in one night.
Verizon phones are ugly on the whole and kind of clunky.
However I once owned an iPhone... it could not receive calls, despite hard reboots etc., or receive voice-mail in a timely manner. On noisy streets it was next to impossible to hear the incoming call assuming it got through.
My main need for a phone.. apart from speaking, is GPS maps, email and the ability to not only read Japanese web/email but to enter/reply in Japanese.

I think a phone running Windows Mobile 6 will let me do this.

[Dave @ Oct 18th 2007 10:36AM]

I've been waiting for a phone from Verizon worth buy since April. Looks like i'll keep on waiting. Too bad i enjoy my free Verizon to verizon minutes with my family.

[case @ Oct 18th 2007 2:41PM]

i can't believe all the fuss about verizon vs. ATT. If you live in Southern CA there's no comparison. Cingular was crummy before they merged with ATT, and they're still crummy. Pre-merger, Cingular had more customer complaints than all the other carriers combined. This has not improved. When you're on suckular/att and you have no reception and you see someone next to you talking on their phone, you know they're on verizon.

As for Verizon being behind on the phones, I wish they would get with the program. From what I've read, they told Apple to stuff it because apple sets up unfavorable contracts. Since they passed on the iphone, they should work harder to offer updated, cutting edge phones on the network. Something with a good UI (which the iphone does well) that you can use to TALK to someone (which the iphone does not).
my 3 cents.

[brian @ Oct 18th 2007 5:36PM]

In what sense are the BlackBerry 8830 or the HTC Libra clunky devices? If you want clunky, you can get clunky. But you can also get sleek.

From what I can tell Verizon is missing three phones from its lineup that might be interesting: Palm Centro (likely coming), BlackBerry Curve and iPhone (but does have an LG knockoff). Overall, seems pretty competitive. There are some Nokia phones that might be interesting, but Symbian doesn't have much traction in the US.

[Terrence Newton @ Oct 18th 2007 5:22PM]

well how about that. after giving up on the carrot-on-a-stick known as the 6800, i switch to AT&T and go tilt.. and lo and behold, verizon finally officially anounces a release date for the 6800. and guess what? it still looks as ugly as sin.

i'm happy with my tilt (in love w/ it actually..), and w/ at&t (no complaints on service here in NYC..) and i'ma stick with it.

[The Steven @ Oct 18th 2007 6:19PM]

Do you even KNOW what I had to do to get my Tilt? Oh the HORROR.....

[lorna @ Oct 18th 2007 7:25PM]

OMG like seriously i bet engadget could post on a freaking couch and people freaking bring up APPLE like seriously yo.(B4 you think I'm bashing apple I love my ipod planning on buying a touch and soon and I'm still tempted to get an iphone and i love apple computers i just will not spend a million bucks on mac that i will change every 3 years.)

OMG Verizon ridiculous plans i am a verizon customer coming towards the end of my 2 yr during .Just paid off over 1000 dollars just for overage yeah i am serious i absolute hate them but i realized i never once dropped a call.I talked with friends with ATT T mobile Sprint Metro pcs and they all dropped calls on me.Verizon has an awesome coverage the best i seen they are freaking ridiculous though they charge you for everything and a lot too but to me Verizon is for people with money but its totally worth it you get what you pay for you pay a lot but you know your getting your money's worth with verizon. Version has made great changes though their plans now include unlimited SMS and we can now configure our plans without charge or extension of contracts which would of came in hand for me many times during my damn 2yrs with them.They have fugly ass phones that are way behind.As much as i hate verizon they are reliable as hell and surprisingly i may renew with the voyage but i love cutting edge technology especially in a phone so I'm still contemplating if want to stay.

[PT @ Oct 19th 2007 3:02AM]

OMG seriously OMGGGGG...!

[Mo @ Nov 9th 2007 5:15PM]

Regardless on who's plan is better for Data/internet I don't want internet and on top of my already 120 a month bill from Verizon i don't want to add another 50 a month to my bill. Here is how i see it.

Smart Phones for Verizon and most other cell phone companies are ripoffs in disguise. I really need a smart phone for work. A device that acts as my phone but also can do documentation, schedules, contact lists, and other professional uses. The one thing I didn’t need is internet access but that evidently is a requirement if you want any new smart phone. I already pay over a hundred dollars for my phone service through Verizon and I already pay 50 dollars for my comcast broad band internet so I really don’t need a slow connection internet that costs 45 extra dollars a month from verizon. I talked to both the sales rep in the store that I go to and customer service rep via the 800 # and both were adamant about making me pay for the internet service. They said they can't sell me the phone if I don’t sign up for the data plan even if I buy the phone from a 3rd party or from the manufacture of the phone. The funny thing is the Samsung smart phone I was looking at has Wi-Fi capability but when verizon gets their hands on it they disable that option and will not allow you to use that option if you want to use that phone.

They have to know that stuff like this just makes their customers mad at them. It’s a blatant spit in the face of you and me when Verizon act as if our opinions just doesn’t matter to them because in the end we just don’t have a choice. I guess I am just going to buy a separate PDA. This is a prim example why we have fallen from 1st to 15th in the world as far as connectivity. To many charges and other unnecessary controls over the market just for a profit.

Is there a solution to this?

Is it even legal for them to do this?

What are the laws that other countries have passed, like the UK and Japan, about these type of issues of market control and forced participation in the telecom and cell phone industry?

[sofacall @ Nov 14th 2007 10:48PM]

I'm quite unhappy with this phone, which Verizon sent me when the screen of my Treo 650 died an unnatural death in a collision with concrete. That phone, which did have its admitted quirks was made better for one-handing. This phone is not made to be used by anyone who is not using both hands at a desk. I have heard that sometimes people like to use their phones while driving. This one will be an accident-cause leader.

There are buttons all over the damned thing, so when you want to pull it out of the case or put it back in, you are probably going to do something you didn't intend. The little "x" in the WM format is in the customary top right corner, but so small and tight to the corner that unless your Vietnamese nail agent carves a pointer into your thumbnail, you will have a hard time using it.

Unlike the Treo, there isn't any cut-and-paste, at least that I've seen. When you touch-screen a contact, instead of dialing it, you get a deeper menu, I guess until it runs out of them. I have had to re-synch my computer and the phone a number of times to eliminate duplicated contacts and appointments, and have had the thing delete some, apparently at random. In the process of correcting this crap, it deletes your speed dial directory, rather than holding it, which seems pretty stupid. You have to enable the blue tooth every time you recharge the headset. It often hangs up on people when you try to answer a call on the Bluetooth or by hitting the "answer" touch on the screen.

Again, if you are one handing it, the windows menu scroll down is unsuitable for adult male hands. The thing absolutely EATS battery life, and they give you an extra battery with it, and you will need it, but you will also want to be close to your charger. The keyboard light goes off in about five seconds of disuse, so it makes typing while taking a peek from behind the wheel extra aggravating.

I can only imagine that the designers who came up with this mistake never really worked using a PDA phone in business, otherwise they would have learned the same things I have. I am going to send it back and get another Treo

[Jacob @ Nov 22nd 2007 4:36PM]

God, the Verizon version of the 6800 is ugly. I have the Sprint version. I hate how Verizon HAS to change phones. It's so stupid. They HAVE to call it the XV 6800 instead of the PPC-6800 and they HAVE to customize the way it looks.
God damn Verizon.

[Harry @ Nov 27th 2007 11:01AM]

I bought Samsung i760, and found out that the regional setting does not include Hangul (Korean), leaving me cold and unable to read internet news in Korean. Does anyone know how I should do to be able to read the Korean online news service? Thanks.