(Click here for a larger view of HTC's S511)

HTC's Snap (Click image to enlarge)

Sprint, no doubt preoccupied with next week's high-profile launch of the WebOS-based Palm Pre, has not announced the new HTC S511, but news of this new Windows phone broke courtesy of a listing on retail partner Best Buy's website. The S511 appears to be a modestly restyled version of the HTC Snap (right), announced internationally at the beginning of April.

Like the Snap, the S511 clearly targets users who do plenty of emailing or text messaging. The phone is a non-touchscreen device, but HTC -- known for its proprietary TouchFLO software -- has found a way to provide something different. An "Inner Circle" feature, triggered by a dedicated key marked with a green circle on the keyboard's lower right, automatically brings messages from a preselected set of correspondents to the top of a user's inbox.

The S511 has a 2.4-inch display with QVGA (320 x 240) resolution, an integral pointing device, a QWERTY keyboard, and plus dedicated hot keys for messaging and email. The phone also includes a two megapixel camera that supports video capture, according to Best Buy.

Best Buy hasn't released much additional technical information for the S511, but we'd guess the phone's underpinnings are similar to those of the Snap, which runs a Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, with 192MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot. Wireless functionality on the Snap, meanwhile, includes GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth. The S511, of course, has been adapted to use Sprint's 800MHz/1900MHz CDMA network.

Features and specifications listed by Best Buy for the HTC S511, supplemented by information previously released by HTC regarding the Snap, include the following:

• Processor -- Qualcomm MSM7225 clocked at 528MHz
  
• Memory -- 192MB of RAM and 256MB of flash
  
• Display -- 2.4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel LCD
  
• Keys -- QWERTY keyboard with dedicated "Inner Circle" key
  
• Camera -- 2 megapixel
  
• Wireless:
  • WAN -- CDMA (800/1900MHz)
    
  • LAN -- 802.11b/g (assumed, but not confirmed, for the S511)
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
    
  • GPS
• Other I/O -- HTC ExtUSB port (combines mini-USB and audio jack)
• Expansion -- microSD slot
  
• Battery life -- Up to four hours
  
• Dimensions -- 4.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches
  
• Weight -- 4.2 ounces

Availability

Best Buy's listing suggests that the HTC S511 will soon be available for an unsubsidized price of approximately $520. No doubt, Sprint's pricing after the usual rebate and required two-year contract will be lower. For further information, see the Best Buy website, here.

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