Samsung's S60 GPS phone, the SGH-i550 which has been rumoured for some time and was recently spotted at the IFA show in Berlin has now been officially announced. The i550 boasts an impressive specification with a built in GPS, 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera, HSDPA connectivity, and a 3.5mm audio jack which suggests it will be positioned against the N95 as a multimedia all rounder. More information and pictures in the full story.

Read on in the full article (http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/5989_Samsung_i550_GPS_Phone_officia.php).

I'm still not a fan of the design of this handset. Let's hope it makes it to market soon though, as Nokia need some competition in the S60 arena.

so does it have hardware accelerated 3D graphics? TV-out?

"I'm still not a fan of the design of this handset. Let's hope it makes it to market soon though, as Nokia need some competition in the S60 arena."

Yeah, that's the point, even if you don't like the phone someone else will, and every new phone makes the S60 platform larger.

I think this phone looks great and the slimmer form factor is a big attraction. Unfortunately now I've had my N95 for 3 months there is no way I can buy a phone unless it has wifi as well as HSDPA.

I've started using my N95 for all sorts of audio/video download and streaming activities that I don't think T-Mobile would appreciate, even on Web N Walk.

Can't wait to see what you, Steve and Ewan have to say about that trackball. After using my ex-bosses Pearl to look up a few contacts I must say ... I much prefer it to hitting up and down repeatedly.

"I much prefer it to hitting up and down repeatedly"

You must be a mazochist.

Unless some far better phone is announced before the end of this year I'm buying this one. If come to peace with the idea of no WiFi (carry around my laptop most of the time anyways). I'll keep you posted should I be one of the first to get one.

this i550 is good, with the features. but maybe some change with the design like the keypad, it should have big enough for texting like the nokia 6120 classic design, i love the design of 6120 but it has no gps. and maybe add wifi in it.

It's ugly, i like the thought of it having a trackball, and all the other features and being s60 - sounds sexy. However, my first thought was, it looks like a standard sony ericsson. I really like the look of samsung's typically speaking, but i've had to move away from them because they lack in functionality and customisation. I'm not thinking of getting the N95 black or W960i.. But i implore Samsung to keep making more beautiful phones with s60 software... Ps. SE's Xperia x1 is hot, lol.. Just thought i'd add that in.

The phone may be great and all. It may have everything you need but the damn phone doesnt work and Samsung themselves cant solve the problem . I just bought the SGH-i550W, used it for one day and sent it back to Samsung because the GPS Software was not installed, the phone froze everytime I used the Bluetooth headset Samsung WEP-210. The phone has been with Samsung for the past 15 days and to-date no resolution yet. The only reply they can give me is that they are still working on it. And when I asked for a re-fund, they said it would take 60 working days. How conveninent. I paid MYR2000 for this phone just to know that the GPS software is not installed and Samsung themselves dont have a tiny clue on where to get the software . None of the Symbian .sisx applications which I bought or downloaded for free work with this damn phone. So if you think this is a great phone, THINK AGAIN. A GREAT PHONE INDEED manufactured by the people who have no clue about the phone itself. The i550 is not even located on their website to do an online registration.

Yes. It's a beautiful phone. Beautiful big screen, wi-fi, etc.

Just I am unhappy with these few shortcomings :-

(1) The battery seems to run out so fast only from average usage of calls, texting, musics and camera. It's like the N95-1. The most so far is 24 hours. WHY Samsung, why??

(2) The trackball is either too sensitive or the opposite. You scroll and it would sidetrack.

(3) The screen is totally illegible under the sun.

But really, the worst part really is the battery. Really a pity for a great phone.