For $299

Jan 9, 2008 12:34 GMT  ·  By

Verizon Wireless, the second largest mobile carrier in the US, showcased at the Las Vegas CES the Verizon Wireless SMT5800 smartphone, its branded version of HTC Libra (also known as HTC S720). The handset is available on-line from the Verizon website and will also hit the stores on 21 January.

As the HTC S720, Verizon Wireless SMT5800 comes with a numeric keypad and a full sliding QWERTY keyboard, hence being the perfect combination between a compact phone and a messaging device. It relies on a Qualcomm 400 MHz processor and is powered by Windows Mobile 6 Standard, offering users the ability to view and edit Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel documents as well as view PDF files. Emails are easily handled via Wireless Sync or ActiveSyn, while Internet Explorer Mobile together with the 2.4 inch, 240?320 65k-color screen will provide a good browsing experience.

SMT5800 is 3G enabled and EVDO 1X RTT capable and comes in a small size (considering its features): 103.5 x 51 x 19.2 millimeters. Furthermore, other appealing features are packed, like a 2.0 Megapixel camera with video capture, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, microSD card slot (to increase the memory up to 8 GB) and TTY compatibility for for the hearing impaired. The handset can also be used as a modem for notebooks by Verizon Wireless' BroadbandAccess subscribers, to easily send and receive data.

Verizon Wireless SMT5800 is not the first HTC device branded by the US carrier, as HTC Mogul was also made available via the Verizon network, under the XV680 name, available from 2007 for $499. However, the SMT5800 smartphone is not that expensive and can be bought for $299 with a two-year contract. It comes with some accessories, like mini USB cable, a simple pouch and a VZAccess Manager CD.

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Verizon Wireless SMT5800
Verizon Wireless SMT5800 with the QWERTY keyboard slided
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