Samsung Epic Android handset launches on Sprint – can it live up to its name?

Samsung Epic Android handset launches on Sprint - will it live up to its name?

US network Sprint has announced that a rather natty new Android-powered phone, boldly christened the Samsung EPIC 4G, will be taxiing into their stores from August 31st.

It’s a bit of a looker alright too, with the 3G/4G handset packing a generous 4-inch super AMOLED display and slide-out QWERTY keyboard for all your typing needs.

Powered by a 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, connectivity options abound, with Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G and 4G radios onboard, with the device purring along on Android 2.1 (with, presumably, a 2.2 upgrade not far behind).

Samsung Epic Android handset launches on Sprint - will it live up to its name?

Video chat

On the back of the handset can be found a 5-megapixel camera with support for 720p video recording, and there’s a front facing VGA camera for video nattering, if that’s your bag.

Also present and correct is a digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor and GPS Navigation, with a 16 GB microSD card lobbed in for nowt.

The device will retail for $249.99 on-contract, and if all this is setting your wallet into convulsions of uncontrollable want, you can register your interest on Sprint’s dedicated webpage.

Features:

Be entertained 24/7

• 4-inch Super AMOLED capacitive display for an HDTV-quality viewing experience, plus pinch-to-zoom
Records and plays back DRM-free content at 720p 30fps HD

• Android™ 2.1, with access to more than 65,000 apps on Android Market™

• Future access to the Samsung Media Hub, a full library of video and literary content powered by some of the biggest names in entertainment (coming soon)

• Instantly download eBooks from Skiff, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo

• Six-axis motion sensor for the ultimate gaming experience

• Dual cameras: 5-megapixel camera/camcorder with autofocus, Power LED flash and 3x digital zoom for HD video (720p) recording for capture and playback on an HD television, and front-facing VGA camera for video chat and more

• Qik® video application for video chat service and live video sharing

• Samsung Social Hub integrates all of the user’s social networking services, messages, personal and business email, calendars and contacts

• Samsung’s exclusive AllShare service to wirelessly share stored music, pictures and HD video to other DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) Certified™ home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers and more

Samsung Epic Android handset launches on Sprint - will it live up to its name?

More great stuff

• 3G/4G capability — the latest arrival to the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier

• 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability — connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices

• Slide-out QWERTY and virtual Swype keyboards

• Digital compass, proximity sensor, light sensor and GPS Navigation

• Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor

• Standard removable 1500mAh Lithium (Li-on) battery

• Expandable memory: 16 GB microSD™ card included; supports up to 32 GB

• Built-in Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n

About mike s

Editor, wirefresh.com

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One Comment on “Samsung Epic Android handset launches on Sprint – can it live up to its name?”

  1. Looks pretty darn good!

    (If I was being a miserably, moany old git I’d mutter something about the lack of an FM radio, but I’m proberbly in a tiny minority when I look for that on a spec sheet)

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