Sprint's Samsung InstinctQ Gets FCC Approval

One of Sprint's upcoming Android-based smartphones has moved a step closer to release. The Samsung InstinctQ has passed through the FCC approval process, which means it could debut in the U.S. any time now.

For those who unfamiliar with it, this device will be the first in Sprint's Instinct series with a hardware keyboard, and also the first running Google's smartphone operating system.

The FCC has added some details to what's known about this model: it will be a CDMA phone with EV-DO, and will sport Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Most other details are hidden behind a confidentiality request, but a diagram of the device does appear on this government agency's website, and this matches the images of the InstinctQ that leaked out earlier (see here).

What Little We Know
Few specifics on this Samsung smartphone have come out, as it has not yet been officially announced.

It will apparently have a landscape-oriented sliding QWERTY keyboard, with a small optical touchpad next to the display, in place of a trackball or D-pad.

The InstinctQ will apparently run a standard version of Android, without a replacement user interface.

Coming Soon?
An earlier report said Sprint intended to launch the Samsung InstinctQ on October 11, the same day it introduces the HTC Hero, another Android-based smartphone. If so, this carrier didn't mention it when it announced the release date for the HTC model.

Pricing for this upcoming device is not yet known.

Source: FCC via Unwired View