$1,000 for What? Samsung Giorgio Armani Windows Phone at a Glance

**Michael Essany** · 10-12-2009, 04:48 AM

Image via Gadget Crave

In case this one slipped under your radar this weekend (and if it did, consider yourself lucky) the iPhone has a new "competitor." And if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.

The Giorgio Armani smartphone has been formally introduced. It's a mobile offering born of the unique partnership among Microsoft, Samsung, and, you guessed it, fashion guru Giorgio Armani.

In presenting the new smartphone, Jared Newman at Gadget Crave somehow managed to remain relatively "nice" as he politely implied that anyone who spends 700 Euros (or $1,031) could use a lesson in money management.

The bronze detailing is sure to match whatever designer watch you happen to be wearing, and, well, there’s the Armani name on the face just so everyone knows you spent big, but didn’t necessarily shop smart. Indeed, the 700 Euro price tag is designed to separate a fool and his money, but the use of Windows Mobile 6.5 should give you even greater pause.

To be honest, all we really have here is a branded but otherwise completely generic Windows Phone. The specs? Nothing more than what would be in line with basic expectations: 8 GB of storage, a 5-megapixel camera, GPS, microSD card slot, FM Radio, TV-Out, WiFi access, etc. But if it wasn't for the Armani name, endorsement, and branding emblazoned all over this device, do you think anyone could really get away with selling this thing for a thousand bucks?

Still, if you’re a business-minded millionaire (think “new money” vs. “old money”), WinMo’s built-in productivity tools, such as Word and Excel, will keep you connected to work even when you’re hobnobbing at high-class social events. Armani, in a statement, said the phone is “perfect for today’s managers.”

Since the introduction of the iPhone, consumers have warmed to the notion that modern mobile devices are "not just phones anymore." In this particular case, the phone's design is fashionable, but how will the newest addition to the Samsung family measure up in the areas of functionality and level of customization? Time will tell.

If anything, the tragedy of this Armani contraption is that - if proven successful - we could see a fleet of otherwise generic smart phones roll out into the market with some celebrity's name on it, contributing nothing to the mobile world other than an endorsed bucket of bolts that only serves to clutter an increasingly sleek, sophisticated landscape.

**marc180292** · 10-12-2009, 05:05 AM

lol, what a waste of money. Ill stick to the 3GS thank you very much. Even though I like Tag Heuer watches. Their new phone will definitely be way over $1k and it is not even a smartphone.

No thanks, I wear my Tag Heuer, and I use my iPhone. Logic

**SL4VE** · 10-12-2009, 05:21 AM

buy a TAG phone and wear a casio... phone has time built in anyways HAHA

**FiLLYBoii** · 10-12-2009, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by marc180292

lol, what a waste of money. Ill stick to the 3GS thank you very much. Even though I like Tag Heuer watches. Their new phone will definitely be way over $1k and it is not even a smartphone.

No thanks, I wear my Tag Heuer, and I use my iPhone. Logic

Pretty sure, iPhone > that phone LOL

**adp** · 10-12-2009, 05:26 AM

This is the post which the title "...and nobody seems to care" would be appropriate.

$1000 for a sidekick...yes they'll sell a few to some rich brats out there, and they will replace it within a month. Like that's never happened before.

**jaylen555** · 10-12-2009, 05:31 AM

hmm another windows mobile phone.. still iPhone is unique. i like uniqueness. ill stick to it

**m6speed** · 10-12-2009, 05:38 AM

wow what an overpriced piece of crap

**psychodave** · 10-12-2009, 06:47 AM

For that much money the thing better come with a hooker and a blueray player.

**Ticko** · 10-12-2009, 07:28 AM

its the same thing with the LG Prada phone...one of the first touch screen phones....its price tag was around 700 U.S. when it came out and by the time the iphone was gaining popularity my friend tried to sell me his for 50 bucks...designer branded phones are a lot of extra coin for a little stenciled name on the screen

**arcangel42** · 10-12-2009, 07:56 AM

why dont they make an armani iphone? or some other type of custom design

**mikerlx** · 10-12-2009, 09:03 AM

The features listed GPS, Micro SD card slot, 5 megapixel camera, tv-out doesnt appeal to anyone? And that's features out of the box. I love my iphone now if only the iphone had those features.

**tudtran** · 10-12-2009, 09:04 AM

Why the hell would anybody want a chick phone?

**Fallguy** · 10-12-2009, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by arcangel42

why dont they make an armani iphone? or some other type of custom design

Huh? I think its to expensive now .

**jdm.accord** · 10-12-2009, 09:30 AM

Funny that factory unlocked iPhone 3GS routinely sell for $800+ on eBay and no one is decrying that. I'm sure if this were an iPhone, the fanboys would be on this like white on rice.

Its a ridiculous price to pay for ANY phone, but if you have something like this that's exclusive/limited/collectible, I can understand it more than I could someone dumping $800+ for an unlocked iPhone.

I think the OS is the biggest drawback, not the price lol :P

**rwin84** · 10-12-2009, 09:59 AM

not for me...

**m4rk4zuk1** · 10-12-2009, 10:10 AM

$1000 for that piece of crap? i'd rather buy a bootleg louis v. case at some mall kiosk and slap it on my iphone for $20. even at a $1000 dollars price range at least put android on it!

**thetoothfairy** · 10-12-2009, 10:14 AM

YUK! Not for me at all. I love my iPhone and would not give it up for anything!

**extremzocker** · 10-12-2009, 10:27 AM

i wouldn't touch anything with WinMo on it even if it was made out of titanium...
iPhone OS all the way

**ty22** · 10-12-2009, 10:29 AM

piece of trash if you ask me..............especially with win mobile......... I would sooner buy a pre........... and for me thats saying something

**Jonathanlopez** · 10-12-2009, 10:58 AM

Damm! Overpriced! We should just wait until they come out with a new one! You all now microsowft phones with windows mobile are soo slow! They mes up alot like the computers...and they will probly reduce the price in the future

wen i saw the price i wet "dam i aint buying that shidd"

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