Sidekick line will continue after Sidekick 4G, says T-Mobile

By Alex Dobie  | Mar 16 2012 | 9:16 am  | 12 Comments

T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

Just under a year after it revived the Sidekick line with the Samsung-manufactured Sidekick 4G, T-Mobile is discontinuing the device to make way for newer, shinier things. However, fans of the Sidekick brand and form factor need not fear, as Tmo plans to continue the Sidekick series in the future. In a statement sent to ​The Verge​, the carrier says, "while the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is being retired, it doesn’t mean we are discontinuing the T-Mobile Sidekick line."

When we reviewed the Sidekick 4G last year, we found it to be a decent mid-range handset with some useful software features, and a unique UI. There's definitely plenty to build on in a future device.

The mobile phone market is increasingly dominated by large touchscreen slabs, with fewer and fewer QWERTY devices available. T-Mobile has remained supportive of keyboard-based sliders, though, with its G2 and myTouch series, so it's only natural that it'd want to keep the Sidekick brand alive, too.

Anyone out there looking forward to a newer, sleeker Sidekick with higher-end specs? Let us know how you'd like to see the Sidekick series continued in the comments!

Source: The Verge

Alex Dobie

Alex Dobie Europe Editor

"AC's resident Brit, cooking up steaming bowls of European Android coverage every day."

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There are 12 comments

Asbjörn says:

The sidekick's time has come and gone. Let it go.

Playboy E says:

I had the first sidekick back in high school I use to show off with it around my neck haha good times class of 07!

mr nruz says:

i bet u were a douchebag

JtothaR says:

Haha, the first one came in a black and white screen and came out in 2000. I'm going to guess that's not the one you had. I had the second one in 01' which was the "color" version, Class of 05'.

And to guy above me, not as big of one as you are right now, LOL :D

richardyarrell says:

Barf on the sidekick line

CeluGeek says:

I still like the Sidekick concept. I love the Sidekick-esque design of the Sharp FX Plus and would love to see a similar device but with decent specs.

The Sidekick 4G on the other hand... EWWW! I don't want to touch that weird Android distortion with a 10-foot pole. Make one with a true ICS experience build and we may be talking.

ncmacasl says:

I have a SK4G - best keyboard on the market. also I despise Soft Keypads because I have large hands/fingers and hard keyboard work much better for me. I have had 3 previous Sidekick/Danger models and their operating system was wonderful (worked especially well in 2G/2.5G areas).

The SK4G has had its problems but overall, I am pleased and look forward to the next phone in the Sidekick line. (perhaps an LX model with higher specs, more built in storage and RAM, more symbol options, and a Smiley Button that works on ALL apps not just their built-in TXT software)

Jadawin says:

Just passed my SK4G on for a G2S, and I wish I'd just been able to 'upgrade' memory and processor on the SK4G instead...sigh...Already miss the keyboard....and a working phone...waiting for the G2S to be repaired and using my Nexus One...MOAR KEYBOARDS! Quit catering to people who thinks these devices are for talking into! Well, except for voice recognition. :)

JtothaR says:

Is it running Donut?

cckgz4 says:

I do miss those keyboard shortcuts

True_Disaster says:

i would like to see tmobile come out with another sidekick and go back to one of the trademarks that sidekick has the Swivel.

shantel mena says:

I agree the swivel screen was the best way for the sidekick to open thats what made it a sidekick. Tmobile should also go back to sharp making there products not samsung. The best sidekicks were the 3 and the lx. They need to bring back the originals with a boost. there taking too long to bring out the new sidekick