Cricket® and Samsung Bring the SCH-r500 Phone to Customers Across the Country
SAN DIEGO – December 21, 2007 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and Cricket Communications, Inc, the operating subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc., and a leading provider of unlimited wireless services, today announced that the Samsung SCH-r500 handset, a sleek clamshell phone for Cricket customers, will be available to Cricket customers on Monday, December 24, 2007.
“The SCH-r500 is a hip and versatile device that will help our customers make full use of Cricket’s extensive range of unlimited wireless voice and data services,” said Sergio Garcia, director of device strategy for Cricket. “The handset’s changeable face plates coupled with its MP3-player capabilities will make the phone especially attractive to our customers who want to stay on the cutting edge of trends and fashion. We are pleased to be working with Samsung on bringing even more variety in handset selection to our growing customer base.”
The SCH-r500 features an internal antenna to maintain its sleek design; a high-resolution, 262K TFT internal display; a 1.2” external monochrome display; CDMA 1x 800/1900MHz digital-only EVDO; and a 1.3-megapixel camera with video. The phone also features an MP3 player; stereo speakers, up to 2GB microSD™ memory card slot; Stereo Bluetooth® and enhanced voice recognition.
“The SCH-r500 is a feature-rich and stylish device that allows the user to customize their phone to match their personal style,” said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. “We are excited for the opportunity to offer the r500 to Cricket subscribers, and believe that given its changeable look and wide range of features, it will be popular among Cricket’s young subscribers.”
The SCH-r500 is compatible with Cricket's nationwide roaming service and supports Cricket Games & Apps, Mobile WEB and Quick Search. The phone is also BREW capable for downloadable wallpapers, screensavers and ringtones directly over the air to add to those already included on the phone. The SCH-r500 measures 3.72 x 1.95 x .66 inches and weighs 3.34 ounces—with digital talk-time up to 3.5 hours* and standby time up to 350 hours*.
The SCH-r500 phone is available at select Cricket retail stores and Cricket dealers immediately for $199.99. For more information, please visit a local Cricket retail location, or online visit www.mycricket.com or www.samsungwireless.com.
*Talk and standby times will vary depending on phone usage patterns and conditions. Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.
About Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Cricket
Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Cricket offers customers access to a variety of the latest devises and feature-rich mobile applications such as unlimited text, instant and picture messaging, Mobile Web, popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket services are offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com http://www.leapwireless.com/.
