Samsung preps high-speed, global W350/W3500

Announcing in its home country of Korea, Samsung has launched a new high-end phone, the SCH-W350. Also known as the SPH-W3500, the phone operates as a conventional clamshell device in most circumstances, but when viewing video, the screen can be twisted horizontally to maintain a normal aspect ratio and control scheme. This is increasingly common in Korean phones, but more unusual is the presence of 7.2Mbps HSDPA, faster than the typical 3.6Mbps standard.

Though the phone is likely to remain exclusive to Korea due partly to its speed, its GSM/WCDMA receiver allows global roaming. Other features of the 350 include MP3 playback, a three-megapixel camera, and Bluetooth 2.0; memory, meanwhile, is expandable through an external slot. The phone should be available soon in red or pearl colors for prices between 600,000 and 700,000 won ($635-741). [via AVING]