The expected launch of the Samsung F700 touchscreen phone with Verizon may reduce the device’s functionality by the time it reaches American shores, according to purported internal sources in contact with Phone Arena. The new information corroborates earlier reports which suggested Verizon would use the handset as a response to the iPhone, but indicates both a new name and a reduced feature set: the Americanized version would be called the U940 and shed the 3-megapixel camera in favor of a 2-megapixel model. As before, the U940 would need to adopt CDMA phone network support and EVDO access to function on the new network.

Whether any substantial changes to the touchscreen interface would be made for the launch was unknown. The F700 is known in Europe as the Croix courtesy of a cross-shaped menu system. However, Verizon is known to demand interface changes to highlight its services and may include a new front-end rather than the stock Samsung layout. This newest report maintains that the US carrier will release the phone sometime in early 2008. Costs are still unknown but should climb above that of the less professionally-oriented LG Voyager.