Samsung and AT&T announced new details on their 4.5-inch Android 2.2 smartphone, said to be just over a third of an inch thick. The Samsung Infuse 4G will be available May 15 for $200 plus contract, and features a 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor, HSPA+, an eight-megapixel camera, and (possibly) the ability to load apps from third-parties.

Samsung and AT&T tipped the Infuse 4G at CES in early January, saying only that it would offer a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen and be the thinnest 4G smartphone on the market. The partners are sticking with their story four months later, and AT&T has also reiterated its January claim that it will launch 20 4G devices and 12 additional Android devices by the end of the year.

Samsung Infuse 4G
(Click to enlarge)

AT&T now says the phone runs Android 2.2 on a 1.2GHz Cortex-A8 Hummingbird processor. The carrier did not reveal detailed specs, but further hardware details include a 2GB microSD card for a 32GB slot, pre-loaded with trailers for upcoming summer movies. There's also an eight-megapixel camera with 720p video recording and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, says AT&T.

Like the Samsung Spica, but few other Android phones, the Infuse 4G pushes the limits with a huge 4.5-inch, 800 x 480 touchscreen, said to be the largest screen in AT&T's arsenal. In addition, like the Droid Charge and Galaxy S, the phone offers Super AMOLED Plus, the latest version of Samsung's AMOLED technology.

Super AMOLED Plus offers 50 percent more sub-pixels, says AT&T. The technology is claimed to offer richer brighter colors, better sunlight visibility, and improved "gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness."

The display is "ridiculously good," enthused Matt Buchanan at Gizmodo after sampling the Infuse 4G. Buchanan noted it was noticeably superior to the "already great" Super AMOLED technology found on the earlier Galaxy S phones. Buchanan also praised the phone's overall build quality and tactile experience, said to be Samsung's best effort yet in these areas.

The Infuse 4G may well be the thinnest 4G phone, as claimed by AT&T, although its touted 8.9mm (0.35 inches) thickness expands to 9.24mm on one side. The 3G-ready Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, has it beat, however, at 8.7mm.

The Infuse 4G (pictured) works with HSPA+ instead of its emerging LTE service, making it more compatible in the future with T-Mobile. AT&T hopes to merge with T-Mobile, despite increasing regulatory scrutiny and complaints from Sprint.

Is AT&T freeing up third-party downloads?

Perhaps to appease regulators, AT&T may have decided to make the Infuse 4G its first phone to allow third-party app downloads. Although not formally announced by AT&T, AndroidCommunity discovered that the phone does indeed permit downloads outside of Android Market, which had been previously blocked.

This would enable, for example, access to Amazon's Appstore, among other third-party Android app purveyors. Then again, AndroidCommunity admits the possibility that AT&T simply forgot to lock down the feature on the hands-on units shown at last night's launch event in New York City.

The phone offers Android 2.2, and according to Gizmodo, Samsung's usual TouchWiz UI. AT&T didn't itself mention that controversial addition to Androod, but did cite a virtual QWERTY keyboard, text/picture and video messaging support, and Android Market access.

The Infuse 4G also pre-loads AT&T's U-verse Mobile and U-verse Live TV apps, as well as Samsung Media Hub, according to the carrier. With the first 500,000 Infuse 4G units sold, AT&T is offering a $25 voucher for Media Hub.

The phone also features a special edition of Angry Birds with an exclusive "Golden Egg" level of the game that can earn prizes for gamers. AT&T has also launched a free Android 2.2 app called JustUs that integrates social media and text activity from five favorite contacts into an animated wallpaper. Pre-loaded on the Infuse 4G, the app is also now available on Android Market, says the carrier.

Stated Omar Khan, chief technology officer and chief product officer for Samsung Mobile. Smartphone Portfolio, "When you combine the powerful 1.2 GHz application processor with AT&T's advanced 4G network, this device will truly be the fastest smartphone Samsung has ever created with AT&T."

Availability

The Samsung Infuse 4G will be available May 15 for $200 plus two-year contract, says AT&T. More information may be found on this AT&T Infuse 4G page. A bit more info may be found at Samsung's CTIA page, although the phone has yet to appear on Samsung's mobile phone page.

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