You thought we’d let the Great White Hype go without an unboxing? Nope! We have RIM’s flagship BlackBerry device — the Torch 9800 — donned in almost all white armor, and while you would think we wouldn’t have any feedback for just a color change, we do. Here is the deal… our opinion of the white iteration of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 is — obviously — subjective, but… to our eyes it does look incredibly clean. If only the entire handset were white, we’d be in love. RIM kept the main frame of the device in soft touch black and this includes the camera lens cover on the rear of the handset. It breaks up the aesthetics of the device and we’d have loved if “Pure White” meant purely white. One huge, glaring problem with the all white Torch that we can’t seem to move past? When using the device in dark lighting conditions, the backlit buttons are blurry. This seems to be because of there being no “backing” on the underside of the keyboards keys. It’s hard to explain, but it is ridiculously, mind-blowingly annoying, and is actually preventing us from switching to the lust-worthy BlackBerry 9800 Arctic Winter edition. Don’t just listen to us break it down for you textually, though, we have our unboxing photos all ready to go in our BlackBerry Torch 9800 Pure White gallery below!

Have you been pondering the idea of switching to AT&T lately but you haven’t been able to find the motivation needed to actually take the plunge? Well say hello to your push. Today, for one day only, Amazon.com is offering every single AT&T handset outside of the iPhone for 1¢ — that’s right, 1¢. Whatever it is your little heart desires — be it the BlackBerry Bold or Curve 8900, the Samsung Impression or Eternity, the LG Xenon or Neon, or anything else — is available for a single penny today. The pricing applies to new customers and requires a new 2-year contract of course, but come on… A penny. Amazon is also offering to waive your activation fee (normally $36) as well as provide free 2-day shipping. Any takers?

[Via Mobility Site]

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Ahh the Samsung Impression. It’s arguably the sexiest feature phone AT&T carries right now, with its 3.2-inch WQVGA AMOLED touchscreen, slide out QWERTY, 3 megapixel camera, HTML Web browser and plenty more. Specs aside however, the Impression appears to be the next victim in a still-forming line of Samsung handsets from AT&T stricken with severe bugs. First was the Epix, which was plagued with freezes until a patch fixed the random error and brought on uncontrollable crashes. Next up, the Samsung Impression. If a user enables T9 and then types the letter “I” followed by a space, the handset will crash immediately. “I” of course, happens to be a pretty common letter to be followed by a space. Now, we all know that every phone has bugs. All of them. The issue here is the severity of the bugs plaguing Samsung handsets that available from AT&T. We’re talking about consistent freezing and crashing here, not a random blip or glitch that is easy to pass over. We love the direction Samsung is headed lately on the hardware side of things, but we sincerely hope the combination of Samsung and AT&T doesn’t turn out to spell continued problems where quality control is concerned.

Thanks, Amir!

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We apologize for the delay in getting some sexy CTIA news coming your way but technical difficulties — ie, relying on an AT&T USB modem for connectivity — have been a bit of a road block. No matter… Welcome to AMOLED world, aka Samsung’s CTIA booth this year. As you can see from the giant AMOLED sculpture-thingamajig welcoming visitors to the Samsung booth, Sammy is making it a point to let us know that it means business when it comes to handset displays. And it does, by the way, mean business. Samsung has a handful of handsets on display and the common theme among more current models is a big, bright, gorgeous AMOLED touchscreens. Hit the jump to see some highlights plucked from Samsung’s line up.

First up is the newly announced Samsung A877 aka Impression. This puppy was scooped quite a while ago and then last month we exclusively dropped the price and release date, as the Impression will be part of an upcoming BOGO offer from AT&T. What more do you need to know? You can read the spec sheet all you want but you can’t get a feel for how bright and vibrant the 3.2″ AMOLED display is until you hold it in your hand. No, the Impression isn’t a smartphone but the QWERTY has a great feel, the TouchWiz UI with haptic feedback is as spry as it gets and the 3 megapixel camera will definitely get the job done. For $200 and a BOGO deal no less, the Impression could be a killer for messaging fiends.

The Instinct S30 is another handset we scooped to no end, but many questioned whether or not it would be a worthy sequel to its predecessor. The answer — maybe. Sprint’s upcoming S30 is rock solid and packs plenty of zip but current Instinct owners may be a bit disappointed if they were expecting a big upgrade.

The Beat DJ is definitely a niche handset from our Korean friends and we’ve wondered aloud on several occasions just who would be interested in this little guy. After playing with it a bit, we’re left with the same questions we had going in. The build is phenomenal, the UI is spry, the AMOLED screen is perfection and the speakers are pretty impressive (even in a crowd) but there are at least half a dozen Sammy handsets we would opt for long before the Beat DJ.

Last up for now, we have a little taste of what Samsung has in store for the not-so-distant future. Seen above under lock and key is a hardware sample of an upcoming LTE handset. As you can see, Sammy looks to be maintaining the same styling and form factor found in abundance within its current lineup. Toss in some blazing 4G however, and you’ve got some tasty devices on the horizon. The nice folks at the booth really couldn’t answer any questions about this puppy but it looks like Samsung should be ready to launch this (and other) LTE devices pretty soon — basically, as soon as there is a network to launch them on. Breath = bated.

Well would you look at that — AT&T has gone ahead and announced six new handsets including the Nokia E71x, LG Neon and Xenon, Samsung Magnet, Propel Pro and Impression just days before CTIA Wireless gets underway in Las Vegas. Starting off with the biggest and baddest of the bunch, the Nokia E71x, the sexy fully-QWERTY S60 device we are sure everyone is more than familiar with now due to a series of Bold-esque delays, will be available to customers “in the coming weeks” for the amazingly cool price of $99.99. Next up on the block is the Samsung Propel Pro, a device we scooped not too long ago. Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 and featuring a sliding full-QWERTY keypad and Wi-Fi, the Propel Pro will be available starting April 14 for $149.99. After that we have the LG Xenon, a device which captured our attention just yesterday when it was first spotted in the wild. If, of course, features a touchscreen display, sliding QWERTY keypad, 2 megapixel camera, GPS and HSDPA connectivity. Look for it April 8 for $99.99. Now on to some low-end devices. First up is the Samsung Impression with it’s 3.2″ AMOLED display and 3 megapixel camera. It will go for $199.99 come April 7.

Now we have the Samsung Magnet, a low-cost QWERTY candybar device that is aimed at all of the teens that text more than study and can’t afford something hot like a BlackBerry Bold. It has yet to be priced and no release date has been given. This brings us to the last of the new, the very unremarkable LG Neon. It has a 2 megapixel camera, sliding QWERTY keypad and, what do you know, a touch screen. It too has yet to be priced and given a release date. Now, kids, are we happy with what we’re seeing or are we disappointed? Let us know in the comment section.

DALLAS, March 30, 2009 – Text messaging and email are still the ‘killer app’ for mobile phone data use and AT&T is responding with a great new lineup of phones for the Spring season.  AT&T* today announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go.  Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T’s leading mobile phone portfolio.

In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung PropelTM Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality.  In addition, the Samsung ImpressionTM and Samsung MagnetTM, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T’s lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T’s lineup to seven. Pictures of the new lineup are available at www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.

“Smartphones and quick messaging phones are no longer for early-adopters and text-happy teens,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The ability to text often, or check your email from a phone is easy and more customers demand these features.  These phones are a great addition to our best-in-class lineup and we can’t wait to get them in our customers’ hands in the coming weeks.”

Nokia E71x
The thinnest smartphone on the market, the Nokia E71x, will be available in the coming weeks for $99.99 and features a black steel finish and award-winning design.  The Nokia smartphone, based on S60 on Symbian OS^TM offers the Wi-Fi and the flexibility of many Symbian-based applications, in addition to AT&T’s most popular services, including AT&T Navigator.  The Nokia E71x is just 10 millimeters thin and will turn heads when you text friends, or check your corporate or personal email.  Customers can learn more at http://www.att.com/nokiaE71x.

Samsung PropelTM Pro
The Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1 allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos.  Evolving from the popular Samsung Propel^TM, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with Wi-Fi will look to the Propel Pro, available in April for $149.99.

Samsung Impression^TM
The nation’s first commercially available AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays in the U.S. and is paired with a keyboard underneath an amazingly slim, metallic blue quick messaging phone that’s all touch screen on the outside, all buttons on the inside.  On sale for $199.99, the Impression has an included 3.0 megapixel camcorder-capable camera, 3.2-inch screen and full browser to maximize every pixel of color.

LG Xenon
A quick messaging phone boasting a full keypad for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors and large touch screen display with customizable and intuitive user interface, the 3G-powered LG Xenon snaps 2.0 megapixel photos and offers the full suite of AT&T entertainment services such as AT&T Navigator, Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, and more.  Xenon will be available in three colors: black, blue and red for $99.99. The Xenon is also featured in MTV’s upcoming series “The Phone”, executive produced by Justin Timberlake.

LG Neon
Teens and text-happy adults will enjoy the LG Neon, a low-cost touch screen device available in the coming weeks. The green and white quick messaging phone features a full keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, and access to Instant Messaging, Mobile Email, AT&T Music, and the mobile Internet.

Samsung Magnet^TM
The Magnet is an incredibly slim orange and black bar-shaped device that will appeal to teens who need a low-cost, quick messaging phone.  The Magnet features a WAP browser and integrated camera in its sleek package and will be offered at an affordable price in the coming weeks.

All six devices can be paired with messaging bundles offering 200, 1500, and unlimited messages that cost $5, $15 and $20, respectively. Unlimited messaging is available for AT&T FamilyTalk® plan customers for all lines for $30. Data plans vary per device.

Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com. For product photos, visit www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.

It looks like Samsung fans looking to re-up with AT&T or open a new account are in for a hell of a deal next month. Word from one of our ninjas has the carrier kicking off a killer BOGO promotion on April 7th and it’s all about Sammy this time around. The news also solidifies a launch time frame for the sexy upcoming Samsung A877, which will be dubbed the Samsung Impression. We now know it will be on shelves by the 7th in time for this promo so we’re guessing it will be launched some time before or around CTIA. You know, to ensure early adopters pay full price. Here’s what we’ve got:

• Samsung A877 Impression – buy one for $199.99 get one free
• Samsung Eternity – buy one for $129.99 get one free
• Samsung A767 Propel – buy one for $49.99 get one free

We also imagine the new price on the Eternity (currently $149.99) will stick even after the promotion ends. Not bad AT&T, not bad at all.

AT&T customers, it looks like you’re in for quite a few sexy new phones over the next few months if this new report ends up panning out. Here’s what we’re looking at according to a report from the boys over at Engadget Mobile:

• Nokia Piranha, March 24th – Internal codename, a “thin smartphone with a touchscreen”. If true, it will have to be the 5800 XpressMusic we imagine, but we find it highly unlikely. The other, more likely possibility: The tipster is confused and it’s the E71x which will reportedly follow at Best Buy on April 1st.
• Samsung Propel Pro, March 19th
• Samsung Impression, March 26th – Touchscreen slider, 3 megapixel camera
• LG Xenon, April 9th
• LG Neon, May 9th
• Samsung “BJ 2″, May 9th – Possibly the Blackjack 3, though that codename is extremely odd considering the existence of the already-available Blackjack 2.
• Sony Ericsson C905, June 9th

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