T-Mobile Retires Sidekick 4G, Brand To Continue

T-Mobile has confirmed that it will be discontinuing its Sidekick 4G Android smartphone. Perhaps one of the best mid-range handsets, the Sidekick 4G is popular among the value-minded who also appreciate an excellent QWERTY keyboard. It's not clear if T-Mobile is planning another device to replace it, but the carrier has emphasized that the Sidekick brand will continue.

Speaking to The Verge, T-Mobile issued the following statement:

While the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is being retired, it doesn't mean we are discontinuing the T-Mobile Sidekick line. T-Mobile continues to update and expand its 4G product portfolio and we'll keep you posted when we have news to share on T-Mobile's latest 4G devices.

This may be sad news for those who prefer a physical slide-out QWERTY. And with the Sidekick 4G, you get a unique implementation involving a pop-tilt hinge that pushes up the touchscreen to reveal a solid five-row QWERTY keyboard perfect for high volume text messaging.

For the time being, the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is still available for sale. The device is free with a new two-year service agreement and costs $329.99 sans contract.