Sanyo’s two new handsets for Sprint, the PRO-200 and PRO-700, got a bit swamped at CTIA Wireless, but it seems a shame not to give the Nextel Direct Connect compatible devices their moment in the sun. Both clamshells with EV-DO Rev.A, Bluetooth, GPS and QVGA displays, they’re the first Direct Connect handsets from the company to use the Sprint EV-DO network rather than iDEN for the Push-to-Talk that Nextel are known for.
Although the feature set for both phones is similar, the PRO-700 differentiates by being certified to Military Standard 810F for dust, shock, and vibration; Sprint are positioning it as ideal for outdoor or construction users. Each can be used as a tethered modem with a laptop, have a “one-touch answer and hold” external button which accepts an incoming call but keeps the caller on hold until you’re free to speak to them.
The Sanyo PRO-200 and PRO-700 will be available later on in April, priced at $49.99 and $69.99 respectively (after a $50 mail-in rebate) with a new two-year service agreement.
