Two new wireless phones launched by Sprint include the carrier’s lowest-priced CDMA 1X EV-DO phone, the $49.99 Samsung-made Rant.
Previously, the carrier’s opening price for a phone with high-speed EV-DO data service was $79.99, below which only basic voice-only phones had been available, a spokeswoman said.
The QWERTY-equipped Rant, along with Samsung’s new music-focused Highnote at $99.99, are among the carrier’s first three handsets incorporating Sprint’s proprietary One Click customizable user interface, which lets users personalize a phone’s home screen to display shortcuts (or tiles on the carousel-like user interface) to often-used wireless data services, features and Web sites.
Prices are with a two-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.
The Rant features a horizontal slider with a full QWERTY keyboard. It’s available in red or black, and Best Buy exclusively offers a purple model.
The music-focused Samsung Highnote features a scroll wheel, which slides up to reveal a dial pad and slides down to reveal stereo speakers. It’s available in red or blue.
Both new phones feature 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, stereo Bluetooth with audible caller ID and expandable memory up to 16GB.
