Samsung unveils trio of Euro music phones

Samsung Mobile today confirmed three phones for a primarily European audience that focus almost exclusively on media playback and are designed to work well for the role without having to use traditional phone controls. The i450 (pictured) is the most advanced and parallels Nokia's N95 in more ways than one with its media emphasis: a dual slider action leaves the Samsung device either in a traditional phone mode with a Symbian 60 interface or in a media playback mode, with Nokia's dedicated buttons replaced by a hidden speaker but with software a near match for the N95's media player. 3G Internet access is provided through HSDPA up to its peak 3.6Mbps for video calls or streaming, and the microSD card slot holds up to 4GB of movies or music. Samsung plans to release the i450 first in Italy by the end of the month for 360 Euros ($507) before discounts and will spread the phone to most of Europe soon afterwards.

A simpler phone, the F330, offers a single-action slider but a directional pad that serves as menu and track navigation without having to access the number pad. It too provides 3G Internet access over HSDPA but caps microSD storage at 2GB. A 2-megapixel camera is standard on the phone, which should already be available in Germany for 260 Euros ($366) and will follow soon for other countries in the area soon.

Samsung wrapped up its launches with the F210, an update to its slim swivel-action music phone. The handset goes without HSDPA but has an iPod-like scroll wheel and 1GB of built-in flash while still having room for a 2GB microSD expansion. It ships to Europe for a slightly higher 280 Euros ($395) but has an American equivalent in the Verizon Juke.