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Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the SCH-i730 Pocket PC Phone, since released by Verizon Wireless in the United States. This week, the electronics vendor unveiled the SCH-i830, the follow-up to the earlier smartphone.

Samsung debuted the new model at its annual technology conference in Dallas, Texas. In addition to offering quad-band CDMA network support, the SCH-i830 is a EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) device. That means it is compatible with 3G networks from Verizon and Sprint in the U.S. for data transfer rates between 400 to 700 Kbps, with bursts up to 2 Mbps.

It adds supports GSM900 and GSM1800 bands, for those who travel to Europe, over the SCH-i730. The SCH-i730 loses the other smartphone's Wi-Fi function, however.

Other than the addition of extra CDMA and two GSM bands plus the loss of WLAN, the SCH-i830 is very similar to the SCH-i730, with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, a retractable QWERTY thumb-keyboard, 2.8-inch 240 x 320 pixel (QVGA) resolution display, 64 MB of RAM, 128 MB of ROM, and Bluetooth. Additional features include a Secure Digital In Out (SDIO) slot for memory and peripheral expansion, a speakerphone, and stereo speakers with RS TruSurround.

Although Samsung did not say what carriers would offer the SCH-i830, Verizon - as the only operator to sell the SCH-i730 - is on the top of the list. Sprint, with its burgeoning EV-DO network, is another likely candidate.