CES 2006
Although there aren't many UTStarcom-branded phones in stores right now, there are a number coming in the near future.
UTStarcom will join LG and Samsung with VCAST Music compatible phone on Verizon. The 8945 should be introduced when the PC component of VCAST Music goes live on January 16. It is the only launch phone that does not have external music controls, however it does have a Micro SD slot to store music and other content on. Because it is compatible with the VCAST Music service, the 8945 is obviously EV-DO capable, however other than music playback, it does not posses high end features. For instance, the camera is only VGA.
The 8945 will be one of the last UTStarcom phones manufactured by Pantech (its Pantech model number is PN-230.) Nearly all future Pantech phones will be distributed and branded by Pantech themselves.
In the next few months UTStarcom will introduce two low end phones - the 7025, followed by the 7075 - both of which are actually manufactured by UTStarcom.
The 7025 is a bare-bones CDMA clamshell that does not even include a WAP browser.
The 7075 is still an entry level phone, but does have a few desirable features like a VGA camera and external caller ID (which is monochrome).
At the end of 2006, UT Starcom will launch more feature rich handsets. The 7945 and 9945 are both EV-DO clamshells with 1.3 Megapixel cameras, Micro SD slots, dual color displays and external music controls.
The 9945 adds Bluetooth to the mix as well. While UTStarcom will make the 7945, the 9945 is made by KTFT, the hardware division of KT Freetel.
Finally, UT Starcom showed off a CDMA SLVR copy called the PCS 1400.
Although it does not posses any features beyond the basic speakerphone and WAP browser, the PCS 1400 does mimic the thin candybar form factor catching on in phone design. UT Starcom says that a an MVNO will likely launch this phone in the US late 2006. Although we cannot confirm this, Virgin Mobile feels like a strong candidate.
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UTStarcom CDM-8945 / PN-230
Pantech PN-210 / PN-205
LG CU320
