Eco-friendly Samsung Exhilarate coming June 10th for $50

AT&T have announced that their eco-friendly Samsung Exhilarate will be racing to store shelves June 10th for just $50. This budget phone was announced back in January of this year, but since then we haven’t heard much about availability. It’s AT&T’s first LTE smartphone to get UL Platinum certification, which means this phone is environmentally sound and is probably the reason it took so long for it to come to market.

Despite being a budget phone, it still houses hardware that should keep any normal smartphone owner happy. It has a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, a 5 megapixel camera that records video in 720p, a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, a 4 inch Super AMOLED display, and a lot more. Read on for full press details.

AT&T to Launch its First LTE Smartphone with Environmentally Conscious Features, the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate

Dallas, Texas, June 05, 2012
Beginning June 10 AT&T will offer a new option for customers looking for sustainable features in a smartphone – the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate™. The Exhilarate will be available in all AT&T channels for $49.99 with a two-year agreement and is the first AT&T 4G LTE smartphone to obtain UL Platinum certification. This phone is also set to be one of the first to go through AT&T’s eco-rating system, which will be unveiled later this summer.

AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering more than 260 million people. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. That means AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.

The Exhilarate features a rear casing made from 80 percent recycled (post-consumer waste) material and is packaged with a low-load, energy-efficient charger that alerts customers when the device is fully charged. The device also boasts a 4-inch touchscreen Super AMOLED display, a dual core 1.2 GHz Scorpion processor, voice recognition and access to AT&T U-verse® Live TV****. It also features a 5-megapixel auto-focus rear-facing camera that let’s you record videos in 720p HD and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera.

In addition, the Exhilarate is the first 4G LTE smartphone to receive platinum certification from UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Since 2011, AT&T has joined UL Environment and other sustainability stakeholders in working towards the development of requirements to identify leading mobile phones from an environmental and human health perspective. UL Environment sets minimum requirements for “environmentally preferable” mobile devices by measuring environmentally sensitive materials, energy management, manufacturing and operations, impact to health and environment, product performance, packaging and product stewardship.

AT&T will also offer two custom case options by Incipio. These ECO ® SILICRYLIC® cases are made from a combination of biodegradable and recycled materials. Composed of two parts, an inner silicone rubber made of recycled silicone regrind material, and an outer bio resin plastic shell, ECO SILICRYLIC complements the environmentally conscious features of the smartphone it protects.

“AT&T is committed to developing and supporting products, like the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate, that enable consumers to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing features or the ability to enjoy a world-class smartphone experience,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. “We’re working hard every day to empower consumer choice and provide consumers with more options in-store as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.”