Samsung may be releasing an Omnia Pro with slide-out QWERTY keyboard… I remain sceptical

A completely unsubstantiated rumour from an Italian blog called HDBlog claims that Samsung is working on a Pro version of the Omnia smartphone. This new version of the popular Windows Mobile touch-screen device would be released this summer… and come with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Which the boys over at HDBlog have kindly photoshopped together for us.


The new device would apparantly ship with Windows Mobile 6.1, but be upgradable to 6.5, and retain the originals 5 megapixel camera. Apart from the slide-out keyboard, the major upgrade would be the AMOLED touch-screen.

What we think?

I’m highly skeptical of this rumour. A device with a large touchscreen like the Omnia can display a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard that’s easily the equal of a slide-out. I’m not saying this is a prank, but it could be a misinterpreted piece of info. Pro versions of phones usually include more integrated communications and conferencing features, not just a slightly old-fashioned keyboard and AMOLED upgrade. Maybe Samsung is releasing a verison of the Omnia that caters to the definite audience of people who prefer a physical keyboard to a touch one - but that’s not enough to qualify it as a Pro version.