Microsoft Kin One and Two Pricing, Specs and Release Date

We gave you an early peek at the upcoming Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two phones, and we told you that they were coming on Verizon’s network this month. Well, the time has come and we have the details about the launch, the specifications and most importantly, the pricing.

Both Kin phones will be available on May 6th at verizonwireless.com, and in Verizon’s stores on May 13th for a price of $49.99 and $99.99, after a mail-in rebate and only when purchased with a 2-year contract. Verizon says that “Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted ” (Verizon).

The data plan information is even more critical: with $39.99 for the voice, and $29.99 for the data, that’s a minimum of $70 that will be charged monthly, which is exactly what smartphone users pay… except that Microsoft Kin does not provide a smartphone experience. So, over two years, we are talking about a $1680 + phone + taxes + fees cost. Honestly, I was expecting the starting price to be lower.

If you have not read our Microsoft Kin mini-review, I suggest taking a look now because it will give you a good idea of what it is capable of. We’re going to play with the Kin One, and come back with a complete review. Don’t miss our other reviews too! Below are the official Kin specs (+update) that were first reported on April 21:

Kin One

• 2.6” TFT, QVGA (320×240), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Vertical slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A, Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 5.0MP CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 4GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 3.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Battery: 1240 mAh. 210 hours standby

Kin Two

• 3.4” TFT, HVGA (480×320), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Horizontal slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz), Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 8.0MP HDR CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, HD (720p) Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• Headset: 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 8GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 4.7 oz.
• Battery: 1390 mAh. 232 hours standby.

More carriers are expected to feature Kin phones.

Hubert Nguyen
Categories: Cellphones, Top Stories
Tags: Facebook, kin, Microsoft, microsoft kin, sms, social networks, text, Twitter, Verizon