Samsung To Debut Genio Slide Smartphone

Korean phone manufacturer Samsung will launch a "youth" focused smartphone known as the Samsung Genio Slide (or Genio Pro as it is known outside Europe) on Vodafone for the first 30 days.

The device has a form factor that's not dissimilar to the LG GW620 or the Cookie. You get a full slide out QWERTY keyboard, a 2.8-inch resistive screen, a 3-megapixel camera, WiFi, changeable battery covers, HSDPA 3G, a 3.5mm audio jack, a FM Radio, GPS and support for up to 16GB via a microSD card slot.

Its web browser has a one-touch zoom, rather than the more intuitive but patented "pinch zoom" feature. The onboard camera can also double as a camcorder and record in MPEG4, WMV and DivX video formats.

This budget device also comes with BBC iPlayer, Twitter and Facebook compatibility - the strict minimum if it is indeed aiming for a tuned-in market. It is already available on Vodafone for £15 on a two year contract with 75 minutes, 250 texts but no internet.

Mark Mitchinson, Vice President at Samsung Mobile UK, said: "We've enjoyed huge success with Genio touch and Genio Qwerty and, as a hybrid of the two devices; we know it will be a hit with the target audience."