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It appears Samsung and Verizon are teaming up on yet another mid-range device as a new handset has hit the results database of GL Benchmark. It’s being called the “Godiva,” and its model number is SCH-i425. That model number suggests this is another entry into the Stratosphere lineup as the previous devices were the SCH-i405 and SCH-i415.
Should that be the case, we could be looking at another QWERTY device, and while that sort of form factor is a bit taboo in this day and age Verizon and Samsung probably feel that there’s still a market for a full physical keyboard. Most users get along quite fine with touch-screen keyboards, but if you can avoid alienating that stubborn group of folks who just can’t give up tactile feedback then you should.
The Samsung Stratosphere line has never introduced cutting edge hardware for the time of each installment, but the devices still tend to provide very nice performance at some very nice prices. We would be surprised if this thing had anything less than a dual-core chipset (early murmurs are saying 1.4GHz with Adreno 305) with 1GB of RAM, LTE and a 4.3 inch display and HD resolution, but for now it’s just a guessing game as the GLBenchmark result doesn’t provide much in the way of specs.
More substantial evidence in the future should paint a more clear picture than the one we have now. As for when to expect the device, we most likely will have to wait until Q2 for a release, but the Samsung Galaxy S4 might be enticing us with an irresistible package by the time that rolls around. What do you think we’ll be seeing out of this bad boy?
[via PhoneArena]
Proud to be one of that “stubborn group of folks who just can’t give up tactile feedback”. Considering the choices for us qwerty-lovers are pretty slim (the Droid series being the only other option for VZW customers), I’ll be taking a look at this once it is released – see how it stacks up against the Droid 5 (assuming there is a Droid 5 by that time).
I hope so
Actually, judging by the response I got on howardforums by one of the more reputable commentors, we may not be seeing a followup to the Droid 4 this year (if at all)…
A 4.3in qwerty would indeed be nice, preferably with Jelley Bean 4.2.2, and the newest version of TouchWiz!
I just don’t think the Stratosphere 2 was all that worthy of a successor to the first one.
The Samsung Stratosphere 3 already in the testing phase? A new standard, which suggests appeared over at GLBenchmark a device that certainly fits in the model number scheme that Verizon and Samsung have used their Stratosphere series(volkkauf).
I think the original Droid series lost all of its steam years ago. The first one was FAR ahead of its time. Then the D2, 3, 4 were all kind of high end but not top tier like the D1, none great screens, great processors, or anything else that was top tier for its time. Id be surprised if there even was a D5. Moto and Verizon once had brand recognition that that has only been beaten by the Galaxy in Android and the iPhone.
Sadly, I have to agree with you; the series has gone downhill compared to the other highend phones that are available, and it does seem as though the Droid series has become an afterthought. I don’t know how long they will continue refreshing the line. It really is a shame for those of us that hang on to our physical keyboards, though, because our options are already so limited.