AT&T Samsung i897 Leaks While Behold II Update Prompts Controversy

Details on a new Samsung Android smartphone, the Samsung i897, have leaked to AndroidGuys, and it looks to be headed to AT&T in the not too distant future. Still, while you'd assume that a new Samsung phone would be a source of glee for the company's fans, those who have already bought into Android are too busy being livid about Samsung's upgrade intentions for earlier models.

According to Samsung, the Behold II on T-Mobile will get an Android 1.6 update, eventually, but beyond that it's "not upgradeable" and won't see, say, the recently unveiled Android 2.2 Froyo.  That's contrary to what was originally promised by Samsung; the company had said, even before the Behold II had launched, that it would see an update to Android 2.x.

Samsung Mobile and T-Mobile USA are planning to update the Behold II to Android 1.6 which provides access to Google Maps Navigation, Google Voice Search capability and quick search box for Android.

The update will also supply additional benefits including Swype, an improved Media Player, updated core Android applications and improved Bluetooth capabilities. However, the Behold II is not upgradeable beyond Android 1.6.

As for the Samsung i897, that's expected to have a 4-inch AMOLED display, Android 2.1 and a 5-megapixel camera; similar, in fact, to the Galaxy S I9000.  No word on when it might launch, but it's expected to be sooner rather than later.