Review: Sprint KATANA Eclipse by Sanyo

Also making its way into CG HQ is the Sprint Katana Eclipse from Sanyo. This too is a simple, yet effective flip phone. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s the tiny details that make this particular device stand out from the crowd. Said tiny details are the two light bars on the front flap that can be customized for contacts, messages, phone calls, etc. in one of 40 different variations that range from simple blinks to elaborate light shows. The colors include, red, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange and light blue.

The 1.3-megapixel camera is nothing to write home about and neither is the camcorder. It’s GPS enabled and has the ability to stream video via the Sprint TV service. It’s a simple device that makes and receives phone calls with a few added bonuses from Sprint’s array of services. I do, however, like the three external MP3 player controls.

It’s available now for $100 with a 2-year agreement. Specs after the jump.

1.3 megapixel camera and video camcorder

Capture high resolution images with the digital camera and zoom. Create your own video clips and easily share them with family and friends.
Illumination

Select an illumination scheme to reflect your personality.
Bluetooth® Enabled including Stereo BT profile

Enjoy the convenience of hands-free communication by using headsets, car-kits and other Bluetooth-compatible devices.* Stereo Bluetooth lets you listen to your music on the go or listen to your music using compatible accessories without wires. *Bluetooth wireless accessories are sold separately.
GPS Navigation

Receive audible and visual turn-by-turn driving directions, map your location, or conduct local searches direct from your handset.
Sprint Music Store Enabled

Download stereo-quality tracks instantly to your wireless phone or PC. Choose from thousands of artists in virtually every genre, and listen wherever you go.
MP3 Player with External Controls

Transfer music files from a PC or download over the air from the Sprint® Music Store℠. Listen to your favorite music using your phone’s MP3 Player. Change songs easily without clicking through the phone’s menus.
MicroSD Card Slot

Add a MicroSD card and increase your storage capacity for pictures, videos, voice memos and music files. Supports up to an 8GB MicroSD memory card.
Text, Pic and Video Messaging

Tell your story to friends and family with text, pictures and video taken in the moment. Send messages to other phones, email addresses and more all from your phone.
Sprint TV® Enabled

Watch live TV and video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound. Catch the latest news, sports, weather, entertainment and movie trailers on the go.
Sprint Mobile Email

Get easy access to your favorite home email services including AOL, Yahoo!, Gmail, and MSN/Windows Live Hotmail and more…
Sprint Mobile Email Work

Now access work email on the popular non-PDA phones. Receive email from Microsoft Exchange 2000, 2003, 2007 and Lotus Notes Domino versions 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 with our latest software update.
Internal Phone Book

Store hundreds of entries, each one capable of storing phone numbers as well as e-mail and Web addresses.
Wireless Backup

If your phone is ever lost, stolen, damaged or replaced, you can use Wireless Backup to restore your contact information quickly and easily. Additional charges apply.
Picture caller ID

Identify callers at a glance by linking downloaded photos and other images to your phone book.
Voice-Activated Dialing

Say the name of the person you want to call, and the phone dials the number automatically.
Restrict and Lock

Restrict incoming and/or outgoing direct dial calls as well as limit access to data services.
Bright, Colorful Main Display

See brilliant images, text and graphics on a 2.0″ LCD screen covering a range of 65k colors.
T9 Text Input

Compose your messages easier and faster with prediction text input using the phone’s built-in dictionary. T-9® Text Input lets the device predict the text you enter. It makes sending messages simple and more efficient!
Voice Memo/Recorder

Record and store as many as 300 different voice memos, with hours of playback anytime.
Speakerphone

Enjoy easy, hands free communication with a speakerphone that lets you hear callers loud and clear.
Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC)

This handset has been certified as Hearing Aid Compatible in accordance with applicable industry standards. This handset has a HAC rating of M4 for hearing aids operating in the acoustic mode. This handset has a HAC rating of T4 for hearing aids operating in the telecoil mode.