It looks like Boost Mobile subscribers won’t be the only ones enjoying this homely entry-level messaging handset. We first saw the Motorola Clutch i465 get official late last month on Boost, becoming the Sprint-owned carrier’s first QWERTY handset. Sprint already has a viable QWERTY option in its Nextel line of course with the BlackBerry 8350i, but two is never a crowd — especially when one is dirt cheap. Yep, the most appealing i465 feature beyond the keypad will likely be an extremely low price point of $39.99 out the door after rebates. That price will get you threaded SMS and MMS, POP3 email support, Bluetooth, a VGA camera, Direct Connect and not much else. As for when you can get your mitts on one, “Summer” is all we’ve got for the time being.

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So maybe the uniquely styled Motorola Clutch i465 wasn’t exactly your bag, and a QWERTY keypad doesn’t interest you much. You’re a simple guy or gal and you just want a basic handset that is compact, can play a song or two, snap the occasional outdoor photo and of course allow you to walkie talkie with the rest of your Boost Mobile-bearing friends. Ta da! Say hello to the Motorola i856, a handset that sports pretty dated fare where major carriers are concerned but as far as Boost goes, it might not be half bad. It doesn’t have the (relative) glitz of the i9 but its compact size, 2.2-inch display, sliding 0-9 keypad, 1.3 megapixel camera, dedicated media key, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD support and of course PTT support make it a definite contender on Boost. Anyone digging it? Hit the jump for some more angles.

Thanks, Captain Donovan McAhab!

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Ok, so it’s probably not the most exciting phone you’ll see here on BGR today but Boost Mobile users may be happy to learn they finally have a QWERTY option. The uniquely styled Motorola i465 Clutch is now available to the masses and the price point is more than fair — $129.99 out the door. As far as specs go; Push to Talk / Walkie Talkie, threaded SMS and MMS, POP3 email support, Bluetooth and a VGA camera are the highlights. Oh, and did we mention the QWERTY keypad? It’s easy to dismiss this little ugly duckling of a handset but if you’re a Boost customer who has been waiting for a real messaging option, the Clutch is going to be… Umm… Pretty clutch.

[Via Phone Arena]

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Tired of having to turn your precious BlackBerry over to an attendant every time you hit your gym locker room? Sure it’s a bit later than the rumor mill had anticipated, but Sprint may finally have the answer for you. The 8350i is now available without that pesky 2 megapixel shooter. Pricing on the 8350i sans-camera is lined up exactly with the older version that includes a camera, albeit barely usable, at $149.99 after $100 mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract. As far as specs go, no need to go through all that; it’s an old school BlackBerry Curve with PTT and no camera. Oh and it has Wi-Fi just like the regular 8350i, which is nice. Of course there are all kinds of reasons a camera-less Curve could be a requirement for you — or more likely your company — so let the enterprise orders commence.

Thanks, Basil!

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News from Boost Mobile this morning brings its subscribers a new international texting and walkie talkie option that will definitely turn heads. Dubbed International Connect, the $10 plan enhancement affords customers unlimited SMS and PTT from the US to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile. Though the new International Connect option is hardly worldwide as the header on Boost’s press release would lead you to believe, it’s still a hell of a package for $10. No? Hit the jump for the full release or we’ll send Mickey Avalon to do a live show in your front yard.

Boost Mobile Adds Worldwide Texting Option to Monthly Unlimited Plan

International Connect Includes Unlimited Worldwide Texting and Walkie-Talkie From the U.S. to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile for an Additional $10 a Month

IRVINE, CA–(March 31, 2009) – Furthering its commitment to offer simple and affordable service pricing options to prepaid customers, Boost Mobile today launched International Connect, a $10 per month add-on for Monthly Unlimited customers which includes unlimited international text messaging and Walkie-Talkie in and between the U.S., Canada, Baja California (Mexico) and to select areas of South America from the U.S., Canada and Baja California (Mexico) for one flat charge.

“The International Connect $10 enhancement to the $50 Monthly Unlimited plan is a great value for the growing number of Latinos who want quality wireless service without a contract,” said Mirna Aceituno, manager of Hispanic marketing for Boost Mobile. “Boost Mobile is making it easier to stay connected to family and friends in Latin America for a price that won’t put a strain on your wallet.”

SERVICE

Boost Mobile now offers an array of service plans allowing customers to pay by the month, day or minute. Flexible service options such as the Boost Mobile Monthly Unlimited plan for $50 per month includes anytime calling, text messaging, wireless Web and Boost Walkie-Talkie with a nationwide home calling area with coverage in more than 15,800 cities for a flat rate of $50 per month.

In addition to the Monthly Unlimited plan, Boost service billing options include an anytime rate of 10 cents per minute and the $1/Day Chat Plan that features unlimited text messaging, unlimited nights and weekend calling and unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to approximately 40 million customers on the Boost Mobile, Sprint, and Nextel network. Chat Plan nights are Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and weekends are from 9 p.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. on Mondays. As with all Boost Mobile service plans, there are no credit checks, hidden charges or contracts.*

Boost Pay As You Go service is ideal for a wide range of consumers, including those who prefer to pay in advance and are uncomfortable with monthly service obligations; budget-minded customers who use prepaid service to control spending. Boost Mobile phones and service can be purchased at participating wireless dealers and major retail locations or at www.boostmobile.com.

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That saucy little Motorola i9… It just can’t stop posing for your pals at BGR. If you’re a Boost Mobile customer you probably already know that the i9 has launched in all of its deceptively bulky glory, well, because it’s far and away the sexiest handset Boost has ever seen. What about poor Nextel customers though, don’t they get any love from Motorola’s new iDEN RAZR? Thanks to one of our trusty ninjas we can confirm that this puppy is indeed headed to Nextel — in fact, it’s already slowly but surely making its way to various Sprint stores. As far as availability goes, you’re looking at a March 12th launch and pricing will be $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate . Sit tight, PTT addicts! Hit the jump for a few more pics, including size comparison shots next to a Curve.

Thanks, Teck!

Updated at 5:30 pm EST to reflect price correction — the final price after rebate is $249.99, not $299.99.

While it might not be the most exciting handset Verizon will be pushing out this year, the CDM 8795 looks to have quietly been made available to business customers this week. This handset certainly isn’t going to appeal to those looking to stay on the cutting edge but as a solid PTT handset for work, it’s a definitely contender. In terms of hardware, you’re looking at a clam shell form factor with fairly solid construction and a very usable layout. The left side of the phone is home to a data cable port, volume keys and a prominent red PTT button while the right side holds a microSD slot, speakerphone button, camera button, voice dialing button and a 2.5 mm audio jack. Dedicated music buttons can be found beneath the external secondary display along with a front-facing speaker, while the inside has dedicated buttons for email/mobile web and VZ Nav flanking the d-pad. Pricing is not confirmed but it looks like the CDM 8795 will run you $149.99 with a 2-year contract. While the phone isn’t yet available on Verizon’s website, we’re hearing corporate customers should be able to snag one immediately via telesales. Hit the jump for a few more shots.

Thanks, Dena!

We’ve been following the Motorola i9 here on BGR since it was just a glimmer in its Boost’s eye. It was finally made official by Sprint / Boost Mobile earlier this month and now we’re closer than ever to Boost’s sleekest handset yet becoming a reality. As you can see, the i9 is now live on the site and while it’s listed as coming soon you can expect that to change to a buy now link before you know it. No real surprises here as the specs and pricing are old news but it’ll be nice to finally see a modern phone come to market from Boost. Maybe we’ll send one Fat Joe’s way… Anyone else getting ready to shell out $300 for this bad boy?

Thanks, Sean!

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At this point, provided you live in an area well-covered by Sprint Nextel’s iDEN network, mobile users who don’t have a requirement for a smartphone might be considered crazy not to take advantage of Boost Mobile’s new unlimited plan. $50, everything, all you can eat – don’t expect larger carriers to touch it any time soon. That said, one of the issues possibly preventing customers from heading to Boost is the lack of an exciting handset inventory but from the looks of things Boost is trying to remedy that. Sure the RAZR design is about 350 years old at this point, but the i9 is still a sexy new ModeShift-sporting, PTT-ready handset that will soon be making its way to Boost. You remember the i9, we showed it to you back in October. We had a pretty good idea it was coming to Boost Mobile but a new flier for the Boost unlimited plan might point to a release in the very close future. Hit the jump for a screenshot and a PDF download link.

Thanks, CJ!

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