Computer maker Dell may not have had its Venue Pro Windows Phone 7 smartphone available for the platform’s launch, but the company wants folks to know that it’s available now—starting for just $99 on a two-year contract with T-Mobile. The Dell Venue Pro features a 4.1-inch color touchscreen display and a slide-out QWERTY keypad and, of course, the Windows Phone 7 operating system, complete with Xbox Live integration and Office Mobile.
The Dell Venue Pro is a quad-band GSM/EDGE device that also supports HSDPA and HSUPA for mobile connectivity up to 7.2 Mbps and 5.76 Mbps per second, respectively. The phone packs a 1 GHz processor, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, and that large 4.1-inch capacitive touchscreen AMOLED display. The Venue Pro also offers 802.11b/g Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, along with sensors for gravity, ambient light, and proximity, along with a built-in compass, assisted GPS, FM radio receiver, and microUSB 2.0 connectivity.
The phone is available in 8 GB and 16 GB capacities. The 8 GB version starts at $99 on T-Mobile with a new qualifying two-year service contract, or $449.95 without contract. Jumping up to the 16 GB version adds $50 to either price. All units have an estimated shipping date of December 9.
Industry watchers have been speculating Dell may see more success with the Venue Pro than it has seen with the Android-based Dell Aero—and currently it’s the only Windows Phone 7 device to offer a vertical slide-out QWERTY keypad, which could appeal to business and enterprise customers.
