If you thought the flip phone was dead, think again! Samsung just unveiled a high-end W2017 clamshell smartphone.
We first heard of the Samsung W2017 flip phone back in June, when word first got out of a new high-end Samsung clamshell codenamed "Veyron." The rumor mill then went in overdrive trying to anticipate what this new flip phone would bring to the table and leaked specs painted an exciting picture.
It's now the moment of truth, as the new Samsung W2017 flip phone just made its official debut in China, as SamMobile reports. No pricing details are available at this point, but here's what the device has to offer in terms of specifications.
The Samsung W2017 packs the powerful Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor, paired with 4 GB of RAM to ensure a speedy performance. The handset has an internal and external 4.2-inch Super AMOLED Always On Display with a full HD resolution (1080p), a 12-megapixel main camera with an f/1.9 aperture and 4K video capture, a 5-megapixel front camera and 64 GB of native storage expandable up to 256 GB via microSD.
The stylish clamshell powerhouse further comes with dual-SIM support, 4G LTE connectivity and a 2,300 mAh battery with fast charging support. The smaller battery is a tradeoff due to the clamshell form factor, but the phone makes up for it in processing power and sleek design.
Speaking of design, the Samsung W2017 features an elegant metal body and comes in two color options: black and gold.
In terms of software, the Samsung W2017 will apparently ship with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on board out of the box, potentially getting an upgrade to the latest Android 7.0 Nougat later on (unconfirmed). The device also seems to support wireless charging and mobile payments, likely via Samsung Pay.
That's quite a big change from the flip phone of yesteryear, which was good for basic phone functions and perhaps a simplistic game or two, but not much else. The Samsung W2017 aims to cater to those who love the clamshell form factor, but would like some modern specs and features to go along with it and bring it on par with current smartphones.
When it comes to availability, however, things may be trickier. Samsung reportedly plans to release the W2017 in China at first, and it remains unclear for now which other markets will get the handset. Some of Samsung's previous high-end clamshell phones made it to India and some other Asian countries, but did not reach the United States.
This means the Samsung W2017 may not arrive stateside either, but who knows? There's still hope until Samsung officially states otherwise.
