SoftBank shows 15 new spring handsets

Japanese wireless provider SoftBank has revealed its lineup of new handsets for the spring. There are 15 new devices from various companies, many of which now have Wi-Fi; the feature is a rarity in regular Japanese phones, many of which depend on 3G. The carrier has also brought a Java Twitter app to many of its handsets as well as other account-free apps that follow tweets of specific people or preprogrammed Twitter channels devoted to sports, fashion or news.

Panasonic's 942P has a 13.1-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, a 1Seg TV tuner and a 3.1-inch screen with a 480x854 resolution. The water- and dustproof handset is due in July at the earliest in white, pink or gold.

The Samsung-built 941SC gets a 3.3-inch OLED display and a resolution of 640x480. It has an 8.1-megapixel camera and is due out in mid-July in pink or white.

The Mirumo 2 944SH gets a 3.2-inch LCD and is both dust- and waterproof. The 3G handset gets GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an 8-megapixel camera and will be available in white, pink, black or purple. The 944SH will be out in June.

The Sharp-manufactured Aquos Shot 945SH is a flip-phone with a 12.1-megapixel camera and the ability to record 720p HD videos at 30 frames per second. Its main 3.4-inch screen has a 3.4-inch screen with 480x854 resolution. It gets Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and is water- and dustproof. The 945SH is due out in July in red, white, black and gold.

Another Sharp device is the Solar Hybrid 842SH that has a built-in solar charger on its backside. It is also water- and dustproof, with a launch due in July in red, blue or white.

There is also the 841SH flip-phone made by Sharp, with a 1Seg TV tuner as well as a dust- and waterproof body. It's said to be coming in June in black, white, blue, gold and pink.

Samsung built the entry-level 840SC, which is again water and dust-proof. A release is due in June.

The Panasonic 842P is ultra-thin, at just under 0.4 inches. The phone is due in June, in gold, white, black or pink.

NEC built the 840N for Softbank, with a 5.1-megapixel camera and preloaded emoticons for heavy texters. It will be available in red, navy blue, white or pink when it launches sometime in July.

The 841N is another NEC-made handset gets Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a 3.2-megapixel camera. It's due out in August in white, black or pink.

The Sharp-made 843SH is aimed at senior citizens, with resistance to water and dust, with large keys and print. It is due in the summer in red, silver and light bronze.

The ZTE 840Z flip-phone has 3G support, a GPS, Wi-Fi and a mobile wallet function. A ship date has not been revealed, but it will be available in silver, blue or pink.

The GENT 841SH flip-phone has Bluetooth, and is again water- and dustproof. A release date is unknown, but the device will be available in pink, silver and green.

The last of the new SoftBank handsets is the Disney-branded DM006SH. It will contain preloaded images of various Disney characters and will be available in white, pink or brown at an undisclosed date, which should be announced in June. [via Impress]

Panasonic 942P

Samsung 941SC

Mirumo 2 944SH

Sharp Aquos Shot 945SH

Sharp Solar Hybrid 842SH

Sharp 841SH

Samsung 840SC

Panasonic 842P

NEC 840N

NEC 841N

Sharp 843SH

ZTE 840Z

GENT 841SH

Disney DM006SH

By Electronista Staff