Cricket Adds Two New Samsung Handsets

The Samsung MyShot and Spex can both operate on the AWS spectrum band for high-speed data transfer, making them among only a few CDMA phones with that capability.

Cell carrier Cricket came out swinging on Thursday by adding two new AWS-capable Samsung handsets to its service. The Samsung MyShot and Spex can operate on a rare combination of three different wireless bands: the older PCS and cellular bands alongside the new Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum band.

Cricket was the first to introduce a CDMA phone with AWS capability at the beginning of March with UTStarcom’s CDMA7126.  The AWS band, auctioned off by the FCC in 2006, is intended for high-speed 3G data transfer.

Samsung’s clamshell-style MyShot offers a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth capability, voice recognition, and of course, a Web browser to fully leverage the AWS band. It also comes with all the standard goodies including games, text-messaging capability, speakerphone, and personal tools. The candybar-style Samsung Spex abandons the camera for a slim profile, but retains many of the MyShot’s other extras.

Both phones are available immediately through Cricket. The MyShot sells for $149.99, while the Spex goes for $119.99.