Samsung and US Cellular have announced the Samsung Gloss SCH-u440, a budget clamshell messaging phone.  Intended for straightforward text messaging, rather than hardcore email use, the Samsung Gloss has a full QWERTY keyboard and a powder-compact style casing, together with a 1.3-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth support. 

There’s also an integrated mediaplayer, which will happily load up songs from the microSD card slot.  Cards up to 16GB are supported.  The Gloss also allows access to US Cellular’s easyedge service, which comprises turn-by-turn navigation, news and weather apps, games and more.  A ringtone download service is also offered.

The Gloss measures 2.55 x 2.94 x 0.82 inches and has a 2.2-inch QCIF display.   No word on price as yet.

Press Release:

Samsung and U.S. Cellular® Introduce Samsung Gloss™

Stylish compact design and QWERTY keyboard offers fashion-forward customers the ability to stay connected

DALLAS and CHICAGO – May 26, 2009 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), a leading mobile phone distributor in the U.S. and U.S. Cellular announce the availability of the Samsung GlossTM (SCH-u440). The compact flip design of the Samsung Gloss makes it fashionable and functional, while the QWERTY keyboard is ideal for people who want to quickly send a text message to a friend.

Available in pink and charcoal, the Samsung Gloss is equipped with stereo Bluetooth® for easy hands-free communication, a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera and music player. The Samsung Gloss supports up to 16GB of external memory for storing music, pictures or videos.

“Customers are looking for more out of their cell phones every day,” said Alan D. Ferber, Chief Marketing Officer at U.S. Cellular. “The Samsung Gloss offers a full qwerty keyboard for easy texting as well as a built in camera and music player to make this phone a unique all-in-one device.

The Samsung Gloss also includes easyedgeSM, U.S. Cellular’s suite of enhanced wireless data application services. easyedgeSM allows customers access to Your Navigator with voice turn by turn directions, news and weather applications, games and hundreds of other useful applications. The phone also comes preloaded with Tone Room, a ringtone shop that is updated daily with music from every genre and City ID, an enhanced Caller ID feature that displays the city and state of incoming calls.

Key features of the Samsung Gloss include:

Full QWERTY Keyboard
Stereo Bluetooth® Enabled
1.3 Megapixel Camera
Music Player
easyedgeSM Service
Dimensions: 2.55?x 2.94? x .82?
2.2? CIF 262K TFT (Landscape)

The Samsung Gloss is available at U.S. Cellular retail locations or at www.uscellular.com. For additional information about the Samsung Gloss visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.