Samsung D780 brings dual SIMs, dual calls

Samsung this morning chose an unusual approach to cellphone roaming by introducing the D780. While it supplies the same dual SIM card slots as many cellphones for eastern Europe and Asia, the new model is the first candybar phone (following the D880 slider) to allow for two active calls on those cards: an owner can switch between calls without dropping either, much as they would on a landline business phone network. The change is pitched as essential for phone owners who need to keep business and home calls separate or those who regularly need another provider.

Outside of its dual SIM slots, the black-and-gray device stands as one of Samsung's mid-range models for features with a two-megapixel camera, a dedicated MP3 media player, and stereo Bluetooth audio. Samsung promises the phone's first release in Russia for May and will follow up with a wider European launch afterwards. A North American release isn't expected with the lack of the 850MHz band limiting its scope in the West.