HTC's Q killin' Excalibur depicted?

We've gotta take this one with a grain of salt, thanks to an unconfirmed source and that sketchy paste job on the screen, but if this pic and its accompanying deets prove true, we're in for a treat. Codenamed "Excalibur," we heard about HTC's attempt at a Q/i320 killer last month, and it seems to be shaping up nicely. Beyond the obvious QWERTY action, the quad-band phone will supposedly feature WiFi, and will be 2mm thicker than the i320. To the side of the screen is an interesting touch-jog strip for scrolling (in lieu of the Q's jog dial) with top and bottom touch buttons to open the Start menu and go back. Looking good HTC, now if you'll just confirm the device, mix in some 3G data and ship a few to the States at $150 each we'll be all set.

[DBX00 @ Jul 31st 2006 2:04PM]

Can a company release a product without it being label as some "blank" killer by the media these days?

[korey @ Jul 31st 2006 2:14PM]

@DBX00 nope! and ill take one at 150 bucks as long as its got the wifi and im guessing this is 850mhz band i hope

[flamer's grill @ Jul 31st 2006 2:27PM]

I need CDMA! Since Sprint and Moto don't get along, I'll never see the Q. Sprint and HTC do play nice, so let's get one over here soon.

[eight @ Jul 31st 2006 2:43PM]

With looks like that, I don't think it'll be killing anything.

[Binome @ Jul 31st 2006 3:07PM]

It looks like an ugly treo, with a low res screen.
this aint going to be killing anything,except some trees.

[maff @ Jul 31st 2006 3:15PM]

these will never be that cheap, no way, or you're looking at a big monthly fee!

[austin @ Jul 31st 2006 3:17PM]

"With looks like that, I don't think it'll be killing anything."
This should be code named Medusa.

[jim @ Jul 31st 2006 5:27PM]

So is it full WM5 or just another smartphone like the Q? I have the 6700 and while it is a nice pdaphone, it is way too thick however the Q is just a smartphone so it can't run some of the apps I use. If this is WM5 FULL - I certainly would be interested. Hopefully HTC is also moving to another BT provider preferably 2.0 as the BT in the 6700 sucks - too weak.

[z.4.zigma @ Jul 31st 2006 5:34PM]

The - *NOKIA E61* - enough said.

www.e-series.org

[z.4.zigma @ Jul 31st 2006 5:38PM]

sorry for spamming the board

For you viewing pleasure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/e-series/

[Rick Austin @ Jul 31st 2006 6:32PM]

I hope they don't take the "me to" approach as this rendition appears to depict. It's the screen stupid. So many devices with odd ball screen sizes/resolutions. HTC has been pretty good about getting it right. I hope they get the screen right, include all the features of the TyTN and it will surely kill the Treo, Q and just about anything else. Now if someone could figure out a way to include a keypad as they've done here but also make it super easy to dial a telephone number like a normal phone. I know it can be one and someone will figure it out. Every attempt so far has been klunky at best.

[Anon @ Aug 1st 2006 9:43PM]

This one is true - I have held and played with the handset for 5 minutes last month. The device I used was a prototype but had a much higher res screen that in your photo. The touch slide works very well. It is smaller than an e61. It was running WM5. Was running on 3G network, Wifi had some issues - but think it was related to prototype. Not sure of memory specs. Very light in hand, and small.