Sprint 2009 Roadmap Leak

A roadmap for most or all of Sprint's 2009 phone introductions has been leaked today and confirms the rough timeframes for multiple devices, including direct iPhone rivals. Besides mentioning known or already-launched devices like the Palm Pre and LG Rumor 2, the map obtained by BGR shows that the Samsung Instinct S30 may now just be named the Dash. It would represent a relatively modest upgrade on the surface with a 5-megapixel camera using autofocus, an accelerometer to recognize tilt, a 240x480 display and EVDO Revision A for its 3G access.

The Samsung Mini, however, would be new and would aim at the emerging budget touchscreen phone business; it would have a lower-resolution 2-megapixel display, a similarly downgraded 240x432 resolution display and standard EVDO Rev. 0 for 3G. Both phones are believed in the works for a launch in the spring.

Although partly contradicted by individual cellphone profiles, the roadmap also points to multiple smartphones appearing during the summer. This would include the BlackBerry 9630 Niagara, RIM's Bold equivalent for CDMA networks with EVDO-based 3G as well as GPS; the HTC Rhodium, which now appears to be a dual-mode version of the Touch Pro2 with both EVDO and HSPA for 3G on many networks; the Samsung Ace II, a sequel to the Windows Mobile QWERTY smartphone with a 3-megapixel camera and CDMA/GSM hybrid support; and the HTC Willow (or Cedar), a budget-oriented QWERTY phone that still manages a 2-megapixel camera and EVDO Rev. A data.

Most of these are due in the summer.

Multiple conventional devices are also listed, including the Sanyo 2700 and Samsung Lucello messaging due in spring, the Samsung Chianti due in summer, and the budget LG LX370 (sping), LG LX290 (summer) and Sanyo 3810 (also summer).

By Electronista Staff