Samsung talks up 8GB mobile phone

Samsung Electronics has unveiled what it claims is the world's first smartphone loaded with an 8GB hard drive.

The launch of the SGH-i310 handset follows the Korean company's release of the first 1.5GB HDD embedded phone (the SPH-V5400), the first 3GB HDD embedded phone (the SCH-V7900) and the first 3GB HDD music smartphone (the SGH-i300).

The SGH-i310 boasts a 2-megapixel camera with flash, and MP3 player functionality. The 8GB drive enables users to carry around 2,000 songs, according to Samsung.

It also carries a microSD slot, document viewer and TV output. Users can record video with the camera in high quality resolution, and the enhanced music function offers Bluetooth stereo (A2DP), digital power amp and dual speakers.

Users can download music from an online music store via their PC or directly using the mobile network connection.

The 120g device runs Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphones, which enables users to synchronise playlists, songs and videos from their PCs. It also offers USB 2.0, and a Plug & Play feature which allows the phone to be used as a removable hard disk.

The SGH-i310 will be shown to the public at this year's CeBIT which runs from 9-16 March. It will be introduced in the European market during the second half of this year.