LEAKED: Dell's Sexy WP7 and Android Phones
Last week we found out just a tiny bit more about Dell's MID/tablet plans. Today, we've got a boatload of information on the company's smartphone plans.
First up is the stunningly beautiful 'Lightning.' This is Dell's Windows Phone 7 device and it's a portrait slider with a full QWERTY keyboard. Engadget cites leaked documents that detail a 1GHz QSD8250 Snapdragon processor; 512MB of RAM plus 8GB of MicroSD storage; a 4.1-inch WVGA OLED display; a 5-megapixel camera, complete with autofocus; GPS; accelerometer; compass and FM radio. Though the specs say it will come with full Flash support including video playback, Microsoft has said WP7 won't initially support Flash. This device is scheduled for a Q4 launch so there's no way of knowing if the situation will have changed by then but here's hoping, eh? The Lightning will be available on AT&T and T-Mobile.
Next is Dell's Android smartphone, 'Thunder.' With Android 2.1 (and a custom Dell UI on top), the candy bar device packs a 4.1-inch WVGA OLED screen and Engadget reports that it ties into Facebook and Twitter for social networking, and taps Swype for a touchscreen keyboard replacement. The Dell documents on this baby say Flash 10.1 and an integrated Hulu application as well as the same Snapdragon CPU as the Lightning. This one will be available in AT&T and world-friendly HSDPA versions in Q4.
Even better than the hearty specs and great aesthetics, both phones will be getting an LTE upgrade in Q4 of 2011.
This one is described by the guys at Engagdet as "like a Pixi but awesome." Dubbed 'Smoke' this is also an Android phone (Froyo). You're looking at a 2.8-inch QVGA display; Qualcomm's next-generation MSM7230 800MHz processor; a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus; 14.4Mbps HSPA, microSD expansion to 32GB, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and dual-mic noise canceling technology. Expected to arrive in the first half of 2011, the device is aimed squarely at corporate types and Dell says it won't break the bank. Happy days.
This phone is the Dell Flash. Similar to Smoke, this is a Froyo device scheduled for launch in 2011. The Flash boasts a 3.5-inch WvGA LCD and 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz HSPA maxing out at 14.4Mbps down and 5.6Mbps "or better" up. It's also got a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, image stabilization, and smile/blink detection as well as 512MB of RAM and ROM with microSD expansion up to 64GB. WiFi is a go along with TV-out, Bluetooth 3.0 and Qualcomm's MSM7230 800MHz CPU. Dell is said to be making this 11mm-thick phone out of "a slice of curved glass."
The last of the five devices is the Aero. It's not as flashy as the first four and many of you will recognize this as the Dell smartphone that launched in China a while back. It packs a 624MHz Marvell processor and a 3.5-inch capacitive multitouch screen. The device also ships with a capacitive stylus for handwriting recognition. Engadget reports that the Android phone comes with QuickOffice right out of the box and supports Microsoft ActiveSync and Exchange. The social networking aspect of things is covered with on device photo editing and "aggregated notifications" for all your networks. Supposedly running Android 1.5, Dell points to an upgrade to 2.1 later in year.
Read more about the links on Engadget:
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I have to say that I do like the style of the Lightning, especially in silver. However, looks only go so far (which is why I do NOT have an iPhone) so if I am still waiting to choose a new phone when these come out then I'll be looking at the feature sets and not just the looks.
Could do with a "lightning" but with a keyboard.
Maybe the smoke would be decent bet?
Either way, GET RID OF THE MASSIVE DELL LOGO AND YOU'LL SELL MORE PHONES!
I love the Lightning! I just wish it was going to be available on the Verizon network. The Thunder is also very cool, I'll definitely look into getting one of those.
Oops! could do with a "Lightning" but with Android!
Initial impressions - Wow!!
As somebody who doesn't really care much about phones, I have to admit, all of those (except the red-headed stepchild, the Aero) are really, really good looking. It won't prod me into getting a new phone, but if I had to, I think I know where I'd go.
Dude, I am SOOOOO getting a Dell!
All of those look amazing.
It sure looks tempting. The Dell logo on the back isn't that cool though. They could have done without the circle.
The Iphone has a giant apple logo on the back...so dell wants to do it too. Seems fair.
Sweet looking phones though!! I want that lightning/thunder!
Very nice Dell. Knowing Dell the price probably isn't that bad also.
Looks like Windows Phone 7 will have another awesome phone at launch. If the OS turns out to be bad, I'll just get that Thunderstorm Android model
. I'm glad Microsoft and Google are fostering choices for consumers as opposed to a certain other company that only gives you one basic choice (sometimes they let you choose different colors though).
Seriously though, does anyone else feel blind sided by this sudden wave of awesome Dell tech? I almost thought that company had sunk into obscurity.
Looks good, but my next phone will not have a chipset any worse than Tegra 2. Tegra 2 or better or BUST.
Very nice Dell. Knowing Dell the price probably isn't that bad also.
Yet the customer service/reliability is.
Apple logos allow people to show off their ability to afford an Apple product and the perceived 'prestige' that comes with it. Dell's reputation is for dull, mid range PCs mass marketed to homes and offices and not cutting edge designs and tech. This is why some folks here are objecting to the huge Dell logo. However, these products REALLY look beautiful and I can understand Dell wanting their logo there in order to try to shift public perception of the brand.
Love them just wish I didn't have to wait so long. It is a toss up for me between the next iPhone and a WP7 phone. Problem is I currently HATE every iteration of the iPhone so I doubt the next one will change my mind, unfortunately I want a new phone NOW. I love my BB Bold 9000 but sick of such an obsolete OS (4.6).
Ehough phones already, the market is getting so saturated with all these new players. Still have not seen pricing go down that much either.
Looks very nice. At first glance I thought it looked like the Zune HD, at least in the first picture.
No thanks
My first reaction is, I don't like huge dell logo on them... =/
It just looks like the PTA (PDA) Sharp Zaurus SL5500 that I bought 10 years ago, it was not a phone but it did everything else.
http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-SL-550 [...] B000063D6E
Just another phone that always picking up money in your pockets
That 'Smoke' one is the one for me, I hate moving parts and i love physical keyboards, was looking into getting a Blackberry but this could be my ticket, i've had my Moto Q9 for way too long.
I didn't know Dell offered hand held devices. Is this something new?
I'm extremely bummed that the W7 Phone listed is going to be on AT&T and T-mobile. Nothing ever comes to Verizon.
Who wants to type on a keyboard that small!? I don't understand. They need to stick with the landscape keyboard.
When the rumors of a Dell phone came out, I thought it was one of the dumbest things I'd heard. Now, it seems they are actually planning a whole series out of the gate, and not just variations on a single platform. The strategy seems like desperation - they don't know what the public wants, so they will make everything they can think of. (They don't need them all to be successful, just one.)
That said, I am actually really impressed with the case designs. These are very attractive, and probably the most likely iPhone contenders I've seen. I'd worry that the diversity in the product line will lead to poor focus and execution, and that none are truly great phones.
Seriously though, does anyone else feel blind sided by this sudden wave of awesome Dell tech? I almost thought that company had sunk into obscurity.
Apple have shaken everyone by the balls. The paradigm shifted or did that pass you by?
Why only At&T and T-Mobile? I am tired of phone choice being so limited by carrier.
I want a 'Lightning' android version! Why all the good stuff must be with windows???