Boost Mobile Launches Samsung Galaxy Prevail for $179.99

After the device was first leaked in internal documentation last month, Boost Mobile has launched the Samsung Galaxy Prevail Android smartphone. The phone is now available for $179.99 at select retailers and online, with a wider release planned for next month.

The device is a heavily customized variant of the Galaxy series with a 3.5 inch capacitive display a WVGA resolution, 800MHz processor with 384MB of RAM, Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi, 2.0 megapixel camera with video capture and microSD slot.

It should be noted that Boost Mobile has disabled the hotspot functionality on the Prevail’s stock Android Froyo build. This is the first Android smartphone to launch on the CDMA side of Boost Mobile, the first Android device for Boost being the iDEN-powered Motorola i1. It is not expected that Boost will launch any additional iDEN Android devices, following the Galaxy Prevail’s 3G EVDO underpinnings.

While marketed as a Galaxy device, the hardware is actually based on the Samsung Moment/Intercept series of hardware. While eschewing the slide-out keyboard for a smaller form-factor, the device is still significantly slower from an architectural standpoint than the more-modern Samsung Galaxy S. The Galaxy Prevail does, however, provide significant advancements over the original Moment/Intercept hardware, and will allow Samsung to sell Galaxy-styled devices to the prepaid audience.