Samsung has been hard at work on the newly announced Samsung i617, otherwise known as the Blackjack 2. The Blackjack 2 looks nearly identical to its predecessor, however it has a few neat features. It boasts a 2.0 mega pixel camera, memory card expansion, a choice of black or red, Windows Mobile 6, a glossy finish, video sharing, and more.

Most importantly, as noted by Engadget, GPS capability is integrated. This is a big step for the Blackjack, which has long been sitting on the fence in the eyes of tech writers and professionals as to whether or not the Blackjack is a PDA or a Smartphone. It’s running of a lesser version of Windows Mobile in the original Blackjack than other PDAs (Yes, the smartphone version) gave it a handicap when being considered in comparison to the Blackberry or the iPhone when considering speed and power.
The device is touting a faster 3G connection that the original, which is a welcome change. My Blackjack is used primarily as a tethered modem while I’m on the road, making this change quite useful if it in fact lives up to the rumor.

I’m not saying jump on the Blackjack bandwagon just yet, but keep it in mind when looking for a quality smartphone on a budget. The phone’s rumored price will be $175.00 USD through AT&T.

Tags: i617, blackjack, samsung, at&t, matt ryan, frugal geek, smartphone