Beyonce-edition Samsung UpStage lands at Sprint

Sprint on Thursday morning livened up the Samsung UpStage with the B'Phone edition, a limited-run version of the handset with influence from singer and UpStage promoter Beyonce Knowles. The musician's version varies from the ordinary model (review) with a two-tone red shell as well as a gold-colored directional pad and trim. It starts up with a Beyonce wallpaper and comes with special access to a catalog of her music and videos on Sprint's online store, including a rare song from her youth.

Essentially the same in other respects, the phone brings a 1.3-megapixel camera, a microSD slot, and EVDO mobile Internet access to the design, which can flip either to a large-screened side for Internet and media access or an opposite side dominated by a number pad for phone calls and text messaging. The B'Phone should be ready for sale through Sprint's shops as well as Wal-Mart on November 4th. Prices were not mentioned but should be close to the stock version, which sells for $100 with a two-year plan.