Samsung Launches E1107 Crest Solar Phone

Today Samsung introduced the E1107 Crest Solar, its first commercially available solar powered GSM handset. The dual-band (900/1800MHz) GSM Crest Solar features a large solar cell on its back cover that can keep its 800mAh battery charged when exposed to the sun. Samsung claims that when the phone is powered off, an hour's worth of sun can result in enough power for an additional 5 to 10 minutes of talk time.



Other features of the Crest Solar include a built-in FM radio, MP3 ringers, a flashlight/torch function, and localized features specific to various markets, like prayer reminders and bike specific profiles that allow only calls from certain individuals through. The Crest Solar sports what Samsung is calling Mobile Tracker, a system that will send an alert when the phone's SIM card is swapped. It also has a fake call function that will make it easier for Crest Solar users to get out of awkward or unwanted social situations.

The Crest Solar features a 1.52-inch, 128 x 128 pixel CSTN display and comes with 40 polyphonic ringtones preloaded. It measures 105.2mm x 44.2mm x 16.4mm (4.1in x 1.7in x .6in) in size and will be available in India, Europe, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Latin America starting in June 2009. No word on pricing or specific market availability.