Samsung's First Bada Phone Release Date - Samsung Wave Priced for Release

The first Samsung phone to feature the new Bada operating system is the Samsung Wave, this new touch screen handset is also known as the Samsung S8500 and packs in some other firsts for the manufacturer including some great new screen technology.The Samsung S8500 Wave offers a 3.3 inch touch screen display but this is a little more special than your usual AMOLED, this is 800 x 480 pixel Super AMOLED. The manufacturer says that this new technology omits many of the usual layers of materials during manufacture and provides an even more crisp and clear display than the previous technology.The new Bada operating system means that developers can now get involved with new applications and running over the top of this is Samsung's new TouchWiz 3.0 software for a smooth user experience. The Samsung Wave is powered by a 1GHz processor which is still the fastest found in the industry, other phones offering this include the recently launched HTC Desire, Google Nexus One and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Android phones.Rather like the previous Samsung Tocco Ultra handset the new Wave S8500 features a nice brushed steel finished to its exterior, this gives the phone a look of expense and does not make it look like many of the plastic looking devices currently available.The reverse of the Samsung Wave holds only the battery compartment and a 5.0 mega pixel camera but it is what is inside that impresses, WiFi, 3.5G support, GPS, HD quality video support, Bluetooth v3, USB connectivity and an expandable memory make this latest Samsung phone an all round temptation.There is also a large 1500 mAh battery for excellent talk-time and standby plus an FM Radio with a 3.5mm audio jack for using your own headphones. Alongside the new TouchWiz 3.0 is a range of social networking applications which will keep you updated with all of your friends online activities plus a web browser, support for Exchange ActiveSync and an email client.Competition against this new handset comes in the form of the previously mentioned HTC Desire and Nexus One as well as the Sony Xperia X10 and possibly even the new HTC Legend as an Android alternative. Others include the Nokia X6 for its touch screen capabilities and similar camera resolution and the new Sony Ericsson Vivaz which matches the Wave with HD 720p video support.The Samsung S8500 Wave will be released as a SIM Free and unlocked mobile phone from May 14th with an initial purchase price of £339.99, there is no word yet from any of the network operators as to when they will be launching this new Samsung phone on pay monthly contract deals but we suspect it will follow very soon afterwards.