Samsung Highnote and Rant

Continuing its phone launches, Sprint today launched two Samsung phones geared alternately at music and text. The Highnote brings the concept of a dual-sliding phone down from high-end Nokia and Samsung smartphones to mid-range devices: while one direction offers the usual keypad, sliding the opposite direction exposes hidden speakers that put out more powerful sound than most phone speakers can manage. The device also touts an iPod-like control pad and microSDHC card support for up to 16GB of music or videos.

The Highnote also serves as a two-megapixel camera phone and supports Sprint's usual Music Store and TV services over EVDO. It debuts on October 19th in blue and red color schemes, and is priced at $100 after including a two-year contract and rebate.

In turn, the Rant squares off against the LG Rumor and has a similarly-designed bar phone shape with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for messaging. It drops the speakers but preserves the camera and microSDHC support. Sprint gives the black- or red-hued phone a less specific October launch window but promises a $50 price with contract and rebate.

By Electronista Staff