Samsung Houdini Leak

Samsung is likely preparing to bring the Android-based i7500 to T-Mobile USA later this year, a roadmap slipped out today shows. The calendar shows TmoToday a device nicknamed the Houdini shipping sometime in the fall as well as a small image of its visual design, which appears reminiscent of the i7500's candybar touchscreen that was just announced last week. Its pricing, as well as a large portion of the roadmap, remain blacked out and likely tentative.

The scoop supports hints of an American launch on T-Mobile that came through the specifications of the i7500 itself; it already supports the 1,700MHz frequency needed for 3G on most of T-Mobile's North American network. The cellular carrier has also been one of the quickest to embrace Android and was the first with such a phone with the G1's (HTC Dream's) release in October.

T-Mobile's inadvertent leak also points to the HTC Magic -- alternately known as the T-Mobile G2 or MyTouch 3G -- shipping in the summer with a $179 price identical to the G1's when it launched a few months ago. Its introduction may also confirm a quick end to the G1 as the original phone is marked as being phased out by the end of fall, with a price cut to $149 in the process.

In its place, a device known as the G1 Version 2 would ship with a much different, Helio Ocean-like aesthetic but the same concept of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard underneath a touchscreen. It would ship at the same time as the Houdini, in the fall.

By Electronista Staff