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Samsung Electronics has introduced the TV Phone (model: SCH-X820) in Korea that accesses color TV in real time over VHF/UHF channels (local stations KBS, MBC, SBS and EBS). This model is said to be coming to the US as well. Previously, mobile phone users have had to pay separate fees to service providers to watch TV. However, the SCH-X820 has a built-in TV tuner that receives TV broadcasts directly from the station free of charge.

The main screen is a 262,000-color TFT-LCD that reproduces high quality images. The SCH-X820 also has an external 256-color organic electro-luminescence display.

A Samsung Electronics spokesperson said, “We now have a camera phone, camcorder phone and TV phone in our multimedia mobile phone lineup, and we will soon add a music-on-demand phone, as we aggressively go after the domestic market.”

SCH-X820 Specifications

- Dimensions
91.1mm long x 49.8mm wide x 25.3mm high (standard model)
91.1mm long x 49.8mm wide x 29.4mm high (high-capacity model)

- Weight
121g (standard), 138g (high-capacity)

- LCD
Main: 262,000-color TFT-LCD (176 x 200 pixels)
External: 256-colr organic EL LCD (96 x 64 pixels)

Battery Specifications

Standard Battery (780mA)
High-capacity Battery (1,560mA)

- Continuous Use
About 115 minutes
About 235 minutes

- Standby
65-190 hours
135-385 hours