ATLANTA—Samsung Electronics Co. and Cingular Wireless L.L.C. today announced the handset vendor’s first HSDPA phone for Cingular’s 3G network-in-progress.
The Samsung SGH-zx20, an exclusive for Cingular, is a silver-and-black, clamshell-style handset that sells for $100 with a two-year contract (and $50 mail-in rebate, which requires an unlimited MEdia Net plan) and is available at Cingular retail stores and online.
The handset is the first to take advantage of the HSDPA upgrade to Cingular’s network, which the carrier claims provides average download data speeds between 400 and 700 kilobits per second, with bursts over one megabit per second. According to Cingular, its 3G network—which refers to both the carrier’s UMTS upgrade and, in places, the HSDPA upgrade for enhanced download speeds—is available in more than 60 cities and towns in the United States.
The SGH-zx20 is designed to provide users with access to the carrier’s high-bandwidth services such as streaming video, high-speed Web browsing and software downloads. It also offers a “multitask” button so users can make voice calls simultaneously with data use. The handset offers a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity and multiple messaging options.
