New Samsung slims

Cellphones, it seems, are winning the battle against the bulge, and handset maker Samsung Corp. is at the forefront of the slim revolution.

The thinnest, tiniest, lightest gadgets are now in the Samsung constellation, including the world’s slimmest phone, the X820, which is only 6.9 mm thick and weighs a mere 66 grams.

At the glitzy lunchtime launch of the phenomenal X820 and two other slim models from Samsung – the D830 and the D900 – professional lensmen Ronnie Salvacion and Paolo Pineda mounted a mini photo exhibit of the three phones, captured in their thinnest glory.

Obviously, the latest from Samsung is a feat in engineering design.

"It is part of the company’s effort to be the leader in cellphone design," said Fe Varilla, head of the mobile phone division.

Now available in the market, the X820, according to Varilla, is doing well in the market and forecast for the D900, which was made available only a week ago, is also good.

When the D900 was launched in Europe last month, sales are upbeat, and locally, it is expected to do well, too. While the D830, a 9.9-mm clamshell handset, is yet to be launched locally, it completes the slim lineup.

The broad consumer appeal of slim phone models hinges on both aesthetics and practicality. A small sassy phone is not only nice to look at and handle, but fits easily in any bag or clothing accessory.

For the phone user who wants to have it all – fashionable looks, high-end features, and competitive price – Samsung has something unique to offer in its ultra slim edition.

"It is human nature for people to communicate with others, and Samsung’s ultra edition is dedicated to bring people together with functionality and ease of use. With its exceptional sleek and ultra slim design, Samsung’s mobile will effortlessly integrate into the user’s everyday life," said Spencer Shim, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Corp.

The good news is that all three phones are priced very competitively. The top-of-the-line X820 retails for only P14,000 to P15,000 while the D830 and the D900 are priced within the P18,000 to P20,000 range, respectively.

"It is very affordable compared to other phones with the same features," Varilla said.

The X820, also called the Ultra Edition 6.9, has a two-megapixel camera with flash and multi-shot function. It is WAP2.0-enabled and has QCIF video recording and messaging capabilities, MP3, Bluetooth, USB, and e-mail client.

The D900, or the Ultra Edition 12.9, is a slide-up handset equipped with a 3.13-megapixel camera with a 262K color screen, video recording, MP3, Bluetooth, document viewer, and digital power amp.

The D830, or the Ultra Edition 9.9, is a 9.9-mm thin slider with a surprisingly wide 2.3" display and even an external memory slot for extra storage. It also has a two-megapixel camera, QCIF video recording and messaging, MP3, video caller ID, digital power amp, Bluetooth, USB and document viewer.

Varilla explained that the Ultra Edition’s line-up "Going Beyond Limits" actually means transcending beyond the form factor because even in their wafer-thin shells, the phones’ functionality is not sacrificed.

"Samsung’s Ultra Edition stems from achieving the right balance of outside elements (a slim and ergonomic stylish design) and inside elements (inner strength and simplicity of use). By achieving this optimal balance, users will be able to actualize unlimited living through these real applications, taking the mobile experience to a new limit," Samsung said in a statement.