AT&T announces the Samsung Focus S and other Windows Phone 7.5 devices

By Tom Warren, on 12th Sep 11 2:54 pm with 40 Comments

AT&T announced a range of Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” handsets on Monday.

The U.S. operator announced the new devices in a press release on Monday, focusing on extending its Windows Phone coverage to 4G networks. AT&T claims it is the leader of Windows Phone sales in the United States, offering the most Windows Phone devices today. AT&T’s new offerings include three new 4G devices, two from samsung and one from HTC. AT&T also promised that existing customers will be among the first to receive the Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update this fall.

Samsung Focus S

New Samsung Windows Phone

Samsung’s next-generation focus includes a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.4GHz processor, 4G network support and a 1.3MP front facing camera. The rear of the device is equipped with an 8MP camera. AT&T claims the handset will be made available “this fall.” Microsoft briefly revealed Samsung’s next Windows Phone handset during the worldwide partner conference earlier this week. The device appears to resemble Samsung’s Galaxy S II Android model. Samsung is currently testing a device named the SGH-i937 which includes the same bluetooth profile as Windows Phone Mango and is being reported as a Windows Phone device on the occasional gamers list.

HTC TItan

HTC Titan

HTC’s giant made its Windows Phone debut recently in Europe but AT&T plans to stock it in the U.S. too. The Titan features a 4.7-inch screen and 1.5GHz processor. HTC has packed a 1.3MP front facing camera and 8MP rear camera. AT&T didn’t confirm when the Titan would be made available.

Samsung Focus Flash

AT&T’s final Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” device is aimed at the lower price point market. The Focus Flash will include a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen running a 1.4GHz processor. The device will also include a 5MP rear camera and 1.3MP front facing camera.

“Our customers love Windows Phones which is why we’ve sold more of them than anyone else,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We’re taking our leadership to a whole new level by getting the Mango update to all existing customers and rolling out awesome new Windows Phones.”

Thanks to WinRumors reader Jackie for the news tip

Borz999

which processor do have samsung focus S 1 core or 2 core?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11814278 Chris Woelfel
  
  I believe single core.
- http://twitter.com/laserfloyd Lewis McCrary
  
  I think they’re all going to be single core for a while. From what I read, the dual core chips wouldn’t be fully utilized by the OS? It runs plenty fast even on my Focus so no complaints here.
- WP72012
  
  Currently WP7 only supports single core, but really it doesn’t matter the OS is very snappy and battery life is pretty good.
- Aaron
  
  Yeah, it won’t matter for using the OS itself. But 3rd party apps, like games, will start needing more horsepower. Also, don’t forget the power of marketing. Consumers will always think higher specs are always better, even when they are not. Therefore I really do hope to see some multi-core Windows Phones sometime in 2012. We may not need them for now, but eventually dual core will be a minimum spec, especially when Apple “revolutionizes” the industry by including one in a future iPhone.
- Anonymous
  
  With current top-end phone CPUs, you’re getting a 1.4-1.5 GHz single core or a 1.0-1.2 GHz dual core. I think for a phone, you probably want the faster single core.
- Anonymous
  
  Well the newer chip is ~50% more powerful + a newer more powerful GPU on board so the platform does get a boost for gaming until next year when they go all in with multi-core SoCs (Apollo/WP8 most likely).
Anonymous

As a Verizon customer, I finally have a reason to wish I was on ATT. Verizon has been lagging with their WP7 choices.
- Aaron
  
  I was in the same boat as you last year. Finally got tired of Verizon half assing WP7 and switched to AT&T. Honestly, my coverage seems to be just as good and my bill is a lot cheaper. I don’t know which ones data network is faster, but I don’t care, since I’m with the limited plan anyways. It’s nice to be on the network that seems to get all the best Windows Phones.
- Anonymous
  
  verizon has the worst team assembled for picking phones. They always have. Its not just with WP7. I switched because of that to At&t. The plan’s pretty good not too pricey, the staff at the store was nice. The coverage isn’t quite as good. I am definately experiencing a lot more dropped calls at my home than i used to. But the focus is swweeet.
- http://www.twitter.com/wixostrix WixosTrix
  
  Call customer support and complain and bitch about how you pay for your service yet you get such crappy coverage. Even in your home and as your primary line since you don’t have a landline (if you don’t) this is unacceptable. Maybe even tell them you’re considering switch to a carrier with better coverage near your house. They should give you a MicroCell that will use your home data connection for calls.
- Anonymous
  
  Hopefully the Omnia 7 refresh lands on Verizon soon with a revised case and 2nd gen internals (+FFC) like rumored/leaked a week ago or so. Other than that, it wouldn’t surprise me if they don’t get anything else until 2012 and maybe Nokia or HTC.
- Anonymous
  
  What I am most affraid of is that Verizon will lag again, and we won’t see anything to late spring 2012 like they did when they got the Trophy (which was old hardware by the time they got it).
- Anonymous
  
  Well this is true, but WP7 didn’t support CDMA networks at opening release (Until NoDo) so it’s at least understandable from that standpoint. However, I agree Verizon has been anything but bullish on the platform so we’ll see. I really don’t want to switch networks now and lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan. Not to mention a large percentage of the people I actually call are on Verizon so that helps with the bill.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Jesse-Garcia/100000361221634 Jesse Garcia
  
  Thats because Verizon is Andoid central. I know, i work for them. I got a bionic from them to use and show customers and its a beast not gonna lie but I own a Focus lol and love it way more.
- Anonymous
  
  I have an Android phone, and I want to get rid of it and get a WP7 device. Verizon needs to get off their Android high horse and give customers choices.
- Anonymous
  
  +1
  
  Verizon invented Droid. Not Android, but Droid. They have wayyy to much invested in the Droid brand now to switch. Even iPhone which consumers love (yes Droid and WP7.5 do somethings better), but Verizon still pushes every Droid, then iPhone.
http://twitter.com/laserfloyd Lewis McCrary

“AT&T also promised that existing customers will be among the first to receive the Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update this fall.” I like this but I gotta say: show me the money.
- Aaron
  
  If you have any interest in making apps, I would suggest forking over the $100 annual fee and become a WP developer. I got my code through an email after the first week and was able to upgrade to beta of Mango. Have to say, I’m loving using the latest and greatest of WP without having to wait for the carriers to get off their slow asses and push out updates.
- Anonymous
  
  ditto
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JSUY2332FTJA73WWHY3HWXVWHU prathyush

your turn, Verizon.
Aaron

Looks like the wife will be getting a Focus S. Too bad we in the US probably won’t see Nokia until 2012.
Tuxplorer

Samsung Focus Flash looks promising if it indeed is available at a reasonable price. People like me, who can’t afford to spend too much on a smartphone, but would LOVE to get a Windows Phone device should have some cheap options. I don’t care about the 8 MP camera, or a Dual Core CPU or AMOLED screen or massive storage — I don’t care about the hardware at all as long as it can run WP7.5 reasonably well. So far, no such low-priced WP device has been released.
- Aaron
  
  You must mean low price without contract, because I got my Samsung Focus for $0 with 2 year contract last November (love Black Friday). I agree though, it’s good to see some low price options, because a lot of people don’t want to saddle themselves with contracts.
Anonymous

What’s the dif between the Focus and Focus S?
- Aaron
  
  Focus is the current model. The known differences with Focus S are 4.3 inch AMOLED + screen (from 4.0 AMOLED), 1.4 GH CPU (from 1GH), and a front facing camera. Also, I think the Focus only had a 5 megapixle camera while the Focus S has 8 (someone correct me if I’m wrong.) I have a feeling the Focus S will also come with 16GB of storage compared to 8GB for the Focus. Overall, there are a lot of differences.
  
  For information on difference between Super AMOLED and Super AMOLED Plus, check out http://www.oled-info.com/super-amoled-plus.
- FuzzyLogician
  
  The Focus S is a slimmer build with a larger screen. It also has updated hardware with a front facing camera.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001825207750 Jason Hughey

I love my current Samsung Focus. The Super AMOLED screen is awesome but I am
sot so happy with the overall build quality. The Samsung Focus S looks mighty
delicious with the 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus display. If the build quality is
right, I may not be able to wait on any of the Nokia devices.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001825207750 Jason Hughey

I love my current Samsung Focus. The Super AMOLED screen is awesome but I am sot so happy with the overall build quality. The Samsung Focus S looks mighty delicious with the 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus display. If the build quality is right, I may not be able to wait on any of the Nokia devices.
- OMG55
  
  I second the not being able to wait for Nokia, but the big question is, ” Will Carriers offer current WP7 user who are under contract a rebate of some sort to upgrade the first generation WP7 devices? If not, I this I may wait to see what Nokia has to offer even the my focus is great! The 4.3″ Super Amoled has me craving this new Samsung.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001825207750 Jason Hughey
  
  AT&T gives me the new phone rebate on a yearly basis instead of the two-year schedule. I don’t know why and I am not going to ask them. I just know that on Nov. 9th I will be getting a new Mango phone with a front-facing camera. I just hope that some models will come with at least a 32Gb or upgradable memory option.
Morgan

I really like how colors pop on the AMOLED screen but I am noticing now that I have screen burn in. Artifacts from texting are showing up clearly on all screens now in the form of the text bubbles and the attachment and send icons on the bottom of the screen. You can really see it when you open up a blank browser window which is all white. I dont know if my phone is defective or maybe I just text way too much. Either way I am not thrilled with the longevity nor the build quality of the Focus and hope that Nokia is not planning on using this tech in their flagship phone.
- OMG55
  
  Do, you think the focus you received could be on of the units that used a diffent chip? And that just maybe the chip wasn’t the only part that was differnt? The only reason I ask is that I have a focus and have not experienced any screen burn in. This phone is heavily used and never turned off unless the battery dies…I am on call 24/7.
- Morgan
  
  I guess anything is possible but I am not sure how the different chip would cause image burn in. I know this is a weakness of OMOLED screens as well as their propensity to dim over time and usage. This is not an issue with LCD and Retina displays.
http://twitter.com/TheTylerHarvey Sent from my toilet

Titan with 4G? Who needs a tablet then? I’m all in!
Spartansou44lja

4G baby! I’m getting mine as soon as my contract is up
http://twitter.com/pierrerv Pierre Venescar

android uses dual core because they’re os is slow…although it is faster than ios and crackberry. it is still slow
http://techeomania.blogspot.com/ Techeomania IN

Surely a path-breaking move by AT&T to offer new phones along with an offer to update the old ones.For more info check out http://techeomania.blogspot.com/2011/09/coming-soon-at-announces-windows-phone.html
http://www.facebook.com/Brock1985VB Brock Childress

Sprint please.
http://www.facebook.com/Brock1985VB Brock Childress

Sprint please.