Samsung just released a mobile phone intended to be a gaming platform. Only intended for the South Korean Market (for now), the SPH-B3200 DMB packs a mean punch, with a 2.2-inch screen, 2 megapixel camera, satellite TV reception, video recording and playback, MP3 playback, TV output, EVDO, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, 80 megs of internal memory, and external storage thru miniSD. From Engadget mobile,
Samsung may not be going all N-Gage on us, but they’re still dipping their toes in the gaming space with their new SPH-B3200 DMB-enabled handset. The slider phone … has an 8-way d-pad and five dedicated gaming buttons, and the Bluetooth means you can hook up with others nearby for some instant multiplayer gaming action. Currently available in Korea only (through KTF), and for a hefty ₩600k KRW (about $631 USD).
Reference to the N-Gage kind of watered down our excitement, though. Isn’t the Nokia N-Gage supposed to have died as a gaming platform a while back?
We’re hoping the SPH-B3200 DMB does not go the way of the N-Gage. We are of the opinion that while having hybrid technologies is certainly interesting, mobile phones are not likely to succeed as gaming platforms given the prevalence of more powerful (and cheaper) standalone portable consoles, like the PSP. Then again, if you have six hundred bucks to spare and you’re in Korea, then go for it!