CES: HTC S743 Smart Phone Is Sleek but Pricey

One of the many smart-phone rumors that have been floating around prior to this year's CES is that T-Mobile will unveil the G2, the successor to the Google Android-based G1. People have speculated that the HTC Touch HD, already available overseas, will be rebranded for the United States as the next Android phone. But so far the only new HTC phone announced at CES is a Windows Mobile phone, the HTC S743.

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Already available in other regions, the HTC S743 handset takes some design cues from last year's HTC Touch Diamond. Though the S743 is not a touch-screen device, it does have a distinctive and sophisticated design.

This ultraslim smart phone (4.6 by 1.7 by 0.6 inches, 4.9 ounces) features a 12-key number pad and a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. Instant messaging and SMS are easily accessible from both the 12-key interface and the keyboard. The handset also has a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, a 3.2-megapixel camera with a second VGA camera for video calling, and Bluetooth compatibility.

The biggest drawback of the HTC S743 is its hefty price. The handset will be sold unlocked, which presents both pros and cons. On the upside, it will work on any U.S. GSM network, so it isn't tied to a carrier. On the downside, it won't have a subsidized carrier price, so retailers will determine its cost. HTC is estimating that the phone will cost somewhere between $600 and $700. The company confirms that the S743 will be available later this quarter.

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