Samsung Saga launches this Friday on Verizon, but don't bother checking stores

One of the more thoroughly-scooped Samsungs of 2008 is getting ready for a launch this Friday -- sort of. It looks like the GSM-equipped Saga for Verizon will arrive through telesales starting this Friday, but the in-store date doesn't follow on for another two weeks -- December 1. Even then, it'll only be on a direct fulfillment basis, with "full" retail availability to be announced later. With that kind of lackadaisical attitude, we can only guess that Verizon's not expecting terribly much interest in the stark blue QWERTY handset running Windows Mobile with a penchant for global roaming, which'll run a $199.99 on a two-year plan after $70 mail-in rebate. The optical mouse is probably going to be a polarizing feature here, but with the i760 on the way out, how else are you gonna get your Sammy smartphone kicks on Verizon? Follow the break for some Saga eye candy!

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2008 11:17PM]

I'll just wait for the Omnia, i900
Seems like a better buy
However, no release date
No pricing
:(

[sip Posted Nov 12th 2008 10:29AM]

Kinda thought the phone was called the Samsung Sega. That would've been pretty sweet

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2008 11:18AM]

Oops. I guess I shouldn't have let samsungsaga.com expire. :|

http://web.archive.org/web/20070311085551/http://www.samsungsaga.com/index.html

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2008 2:54PM]

I want this phone, but I believe Verizon is going to require us to sign up for a data plan to get it. Can anyone confirm? I don't need a data plan - it has wifi. Plus, theirs no other Verizon phone with a full qwerty keyboard coming out any time soon....

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2008 5:14PM]

Verizon usually makes you sign up for a contract even if it has wifi
well
not many Verizon phones have wifi...
have to find out

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2008 9:42PM]

Anyone know if this thing is a touch screen. it doesnt say anything, but under "package contents" it includes a stylus. why else would there be a stylus.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 17th 2008 8:06PM]

it is WinMo 6.1 professional so that means it is a touch screen

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2008 9:40PM]

well its not the prettiest phone but it seems to get the job done. i really prefer full QWERTY candybar smartphones to the now popular sliders so this is right up my alley. i was waiting for the Treo 800w just for that reason. i have a Q9c now which is ok since the 6.1 update, but i really want a similar phone with WinMo 6.1 Pro and a touch screen. WiFi would be an added bonus.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 3rd 2008 9:17PM]

i have it
its a touch screen
pretty much does everything
the treo 700wx does. (my old phone)
i dont know if it does the pictures and the speed dials
like my treo did. i hope i just dont know this ph yet.
it has wife aswell. nice ph very similar to he treo. i think il kep it.