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Carrier giant T-Mobile released a pair of new Windows Mobile handsets last fall in Europe, the SDA II and MDA Vario. The operator's U.S. branch will bring those smartphones to market next month, dropping the surnames from each in the process.

SDA
Created by Taiwanese original design manufacturer High Tech Computer (HTC), the SDA is Smartphone built on the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system (5.0). So it uses a 240 x 320 pixel (QVGA) resolution 2.2-inch resolution display rather than the 176 x 220 pixel type found with earlier Microsoft-based smartphone models, like its predecessor.

The 3.7 ounce SDA measures 4.25 x 1.85 x 0.77 inches with 32 MB of RAM inside and a minSD expansion slot for additional memory outside. There's a 1.3 megapixel camera too, up from a mere VGA model in the SDA.

Unlike the tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS European model, the American version will support four bands—nessesitating a larger antenna—plus high-speed EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) networking. Cingular's 2125, another Windows Smartphone that recently shipped here, has a hump of an antenna on top as well for quad-band support; plus other similar characteristics.

T-Mobile plans to ship the SDA II on February 13 for $300.

MDA
Like the SDA, the 5.3 ounce MDA is a sequel; to the MDA III Pocket PC Phone, which didn't ship in the U.S. It is based on an HTC reference design, known as the Wizard, as well.

Additional features the MDA has in common with the SDA is a 240 x 320 pixel display - at a larger 2.8-inch size - and a 1.3-megapixel camera. As a Windows Mobile 5.0 device, you'll be able to select either portrait or landscape viewing. There's a hidden keyboard too.

Keyboard Extended

Keyboard Retracted

MDA

The quad-band GSM/GSM MDA offers high-speed cellular EDGE support like the SDA, but adds Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to the mix as well.

T-Mobile shpis the MDA on February 20th for $400.