Samsung brings QWERTY back on Galaxy Chat

Most smartphone makers have made the switch to the touchscreen-only design but the QWERTY keyboard is making a comeback on Samsung’s latest Android smartphone, the Galaxy Chat.

Most smartphone makers have made the switch to the touchscreen-only design but the QWERTY keyboard is making a comeback on Samsung's latest Android smartphone, the Galaxy Chat.

While the QWERTY doesn't do anything for the phone's looks, Samsung hopes it will entice avid social network users to pick up the device and start tapping away.

The Galaxy Chat is the company's first to device to sport both a keyboard and Android 4.0.

Spec-wise it has a 3" touchscreen, a 850MHz processor, a measly 2MP camera, and an external microSD slot.

The handset is targeted at cost-conscious buyers and may also tempt ex-BlackBerry users who want to change mobile platforms but can't live without a keyboard.

The Galaxy Chat is due to hit stores in Spain from July before a wider roll-out in Europe, Latin America, Middle East, China, Southeast Asia, and Southwest Asia.

Samsung also announced that it will release its more powerful Galaxy S3 LTE smartphone in Korea on July 9.