Is a new Samsung Google ‘G-Phone’ coming to O2 – or Google Mobile – soon?

We’ve had a couple of reports from readers that first ‘a major UK network operator’ and then ‘O2’s upgrades place’ is promising the imminent arrival of a Samsung ‘G900′ Google-branded phone.

Aside from the Ultra Edition 13.8, we’ve seen and heard very little from either Samsung or Google since they announced that they were working together back at January’s CES in Las Vegas. Back then the collaboration was initially promised to deliver Google search, Google Maps and Gmail but throughout March we had a series of conflicting reports that something greater was on the way — i.e. a full Google-branded handset created by Samsung.

Now, as the Samsung D900 (shown right) is already out in the UK, we’re wondering whether a G900 might be a rebranded, enhanced version of the company’s current offering? However, the D900 doesn’t currently have 3G, which we think Google would want in order to make the most of its online services. O2 as a partner fits right in with Engadget’s recent murmurings of a Google deal with O2 to create a ‘virtual network’ in the UK.

So what are we looking at? A new ‘Google Mobile’ operator brand in the UK, running 3G services that tie-in with Google’s online offerings (Gmail and other apps), on a smart new Samsung handset? Now there’s a tempting prospect…

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