RESTON, Va.-Sprint Nextel Corp. plans to take a swipe at the success of Motorola Inc.’s super-slim Razr device by selling a similar slender gadget from rival Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Nicknamed the Blade, the Samsung A900 supports CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology and features a thin clamshell design similar to Motorola’s popular Razr.
Sprint Nextel’s Len Lauer discussed the carrier’s plans to sell the device during a recent investor conference, according to reports. Officials from Sprint Nextel and Samsung were not immediately available to provide details on the device, including when it would be available and how much it would cost.
RCR Wireless News first reported on Samsung’s Razr-style device in May when the company introduced the handset in Korea. Samsung sold the device in Korea as the SCH-V740.
Samsung’s attack against Motorola’s Razr comes as little surprise. Motorola’s super-slender GSM device has garnered a notable amount of attention and has helped propel the company’s revenues and handset market share. Indeed, the company has sold more than 12 million Razrs so far, putting the gadget on track to become the world’s best-selling phone model.
In an effort to expand Razr sales, Motorola has promised to produce a CDMA version of the Razr within the next few months. Most in the industry expect Verizon Wireless to introduce a CDMA Razr in time for the holiday shopping season.
Interestingly, Sprint Nextel’s Lauer said the carrier does not plan to carrier Motorola’s CDMA Razr because he thinks the Samsung Blade “is a better device,” according to Reuters.
