Verizon finally announces SMT5800 smartphone

After months, months, and yet more months of speculation, rumor, and leaked press shots, Verizon has gotten official with its own version of the HTC Libra, the SMT5800. The Windows Mobile 6 Smartphone-based handset is essentially a Vox gutted for CDMA / EV-DO airwaves, featuring a slide-out QWERTY keypad along with a standard numeric keypad up front to fool all your inquisitive peers into thinking it's nothing more than a candybar. The spec sheet reveals Bluetooth 2.0, a 2 megapixel camera, a microSD slot for packing up to 8GB, and a 2.4 inch QVGA display. Find it starting January 21 for $299.99 after rebate on a two year contract -- $199 if you're bold enough to sign up for a qualifying data plan at the same time.

[Via Phone Scoop]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 2nd 2008 12:10AM]

Held this phone tonite at the store. I am right now writting on a xv6800 one month old, it's been fun, productive and surprisingly fast and stable. The numeric keypad makes the smt5800 look a heap more practical for actual old fashion one handed dialing. Love the touch screen xv6800 but will trade that for a numeric pad and still have all the other features.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 7th 2008 3:37PM]

This is a good smart phone for entry level texting and entry level smart phone fanatics. But it has been out for over a year in Europe as the Vox/710. Verizon, step your game up...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2008 6:23PM]

Entry level texting? Can there be like.. professional level texting?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2008 4:20PM]

Those buttons look hella hard to hit.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2008 11:59PM]

Well, not sure about hitting them, but I can press them just fine...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 11th 2008 3:57PM]

God, this phone is hideous. I've yet to see an HTC device I'd like to own.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 12th 2008 1:54PM]

I doubt God cares about your opinion of the 5800 or HTC devices in general. But he may like to hear your thoughts on the iPhone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 13th 2008 11:25AM]

I have yet to see ANY post of any phone here where someone doesent whine about it. If you dont like it just keep moving along nothing to see here!