Fujitsu F-09c, F-10C, F-11C waterproof NFC phones with AuthenTec biometric fingerprint sensors hits NTT DoCoMo Japan with a 16.3-megapixel camera

Fujitsu, in partnership with AuthenTec, have released a trio of new NFC phones: the F-09c, F-10C and F-11C. The bevy of NFC phone goodness comes with AuthenTec biometric fingerprint sensors and have debuted on DoCoMo Japan. However, we have seen documentation that suggests that the NFC phones are also heading to Europe after they passed through the European version of the FCC. No word as yet as to whether we could see these NFC phones Stateside, but we do know that the phones include AuthenTec’s AES1750 smart sensor for multiple touch-powered features, including one-touch security and personalization.

Biometrics and NFC are starting to go hand-in-hand with each other for security purposes and AuthenTec are arguably one of the driving forces of bringing the two technologies together. Fujitsu have championed biometric sensors in phones and, in fact, 27 Fujitsu phone models have incorporated AuthenTec fingerprint sensors, encompassing many millions of mobile phones beginning with the Mova F505i, which began shipping in 2003.

“Fujitsu has been an outstanding AuthenTec customer for many years and continues to be a strong advocate for our fingerprint sensor technology in their innovative mobile phones. It is a great honor for us to continue this longstanding partnership and be selected by Fujitsu for incorporation in three new waterproof models,” said Art Stewart, AuthenTec Vice President of Smart Sensor Solutions. “Our AES1750 has been a popular sensor choice, offering the size, durability and cosmetic appearance needed for Fujitsu’s stylish and feature rich mobile phones, and we are very proud of the important role our sensors play in delivering effortless mobile commerce transaction security and personal information protection.”

Fujitsu F-09C NFC phone specifications

The F-09C’s claim to fame, apart from being an NFC phone, is its 16.3-megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor camera that features “Exmor R” for mobile. This same camera employs high dynamic range imaging which is the process where the camera takes two simultaneous photographs at different exposure times and merges them for better photographs. The Fujitsu F-09C camera also shoots video at 1080p HD and comes with multiple other software features to make it one of the best mobile phone cameras on the market.

The phone runs on the  Symbian OS and the company has not published the processor they have in the phone. With this model being for Japan, the NFC phone has a rotating display for enjoying 3D content on the 3.5 inch display which supports a slightly disappointing VGA 480 x 854 resolution and Dolby mobile allows those movies to be backed up with some 5.1 channel surround sound for a stereoscopic Dolby experience. For NFC payments, the F-09C features biometric security that comes in the form of the AuthenTec AES1750 smart sensor which we mentioned above. It is unclear what chip is being used for NFC at this time.

The Fujitsu F-09C features a webkit browser, which the company says gives a PC like experience when surfing, and the touchscreen even has a writing palette which will allow you to write messages straight on the wallpaper using your pinky. The F-09C also comes with F-LINK which allows files to be sent and received from a PC and plays nice with movies, photos, documents and all other files. DLNA compatibility for sharing those same files to your TV is also supported if you have a DLNA TV. Not surprisingly, the Fujitsu F-09C also acts as a wireless base stations (hotspot) and allows you to share your data connection with other devices.

The whole phone is waterproof and can be left in bathrooms or splashed by rain without breaking itself, which is always nice if you have a boat for the weekends. Available in three colors of red, white and grey, the Fujitsu F-09C has dimensions of 114 x 51 x 15.8mm – although thickens up to 19.8 at its thickest point – and weighs 146 grams with its battery pack. It’ll run for 240 minutes in 3G voice mode, 140 minutes for video chat and 300 minutes for good old GSM. On standby, the phone will hold out a massive 720 hours with 3G and a lower 340 hours with GSM. The F-09C is the one we saw clearing the European version of the FCC.

Fujitsu F-10C NFC phone specifications

Specifications for the F-10C symbian NFC phone are not what you would call forthcoming. The Japanese mobile network operator concentrates on highlighting benefits and services available rather than hardcore hardware specs. However, from what we can ascertain, the Fujitsu F-10C is a flip phone aimed at women. The main display is 3.3 inches with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The secondary exterior screen is an 0.8 inch one color screen with a resolution of 39 x 96 pixels. It comes in three colors including rose, gold, cosmetic pink and precious black. The NFC phone features a camera that helps women look, what the carrier calls, beautiful by resizing eyes to make them look bigger and smoothing skin tones. This is accomplished with a 12-megapixel camera that also takes full HD video.

The Fujitsu F-10C also has GPS, one-segment digital TV and is water and dust-proof. Again, as you will see in the gallery, the NFC phone features an AuthenTec fingerprint scanner enabling biometric security. Like the F-09C this phone also features a WiFi hotspot and is capable of 7.2mbps down. The dimension of the Fujitsu F-10C are 111 x 51 x 11.8mm with a maximum of 15.3 at the thickest end of the phone. Standby battery usage reaches a respectable 600 hours 3G and 280 hours GSM. Talk time measures in at 210 minutes on 3G AND 250 Minutes GSM. The phone can accommodate extra memory with the SD slot, which will allow you to add up to 32GB of microSDHC goodness. We doubt we will see this phone on this side of the world.

Fujitsu F-11C NFC phone specifications

The least impressive in the area of specifications, the F-11C is also a Symbian OS NFC phone.  The Fujitsu F-11C features a 5.1-megapixel camera, and then just as its brethren has GPS, one-segment digital TV and is waterproof and dust-proof. This NFC phone, however, doesn’t feature GPS or video phone capabilities. Data, as with the other two phones, is secured with a AuthenTec fingerprint scanner and software to keep NFC payments safe. This phone does support the novel one-segment digital TV service and has access to the NTT DoCoMo app store. The Fujitsu F-11C NFC phone is capable of hotspot duties and also has access to a whole host of Japanese specific software packages.

Three colors are available which are navy, black and gold and the Fujitsu F-11C NFC phone can have its memory upgraded to 16GB with the help of a microSDHC. The phone weighs 119 grams, or just over a quarter of a pound, its dimensions size up at 111 x 51 x 12.8mm and, as with other Fujitsu phones, expands at one end to 16.6mm to allow for the camera. Standby time is 570 hours 3G and 300 hours GSM, while talk time is 230 minutes on 3G or 330 minutes with GSM, which should easily last a day or two between charges.

What we can take from these three phones are some features we can probably expect to see in upcoming Windows Phone 7 Fujitsu devices. NFC is coming as standard these days in Japan and that is the direction that the rest of the world is expected to take also. AuthenTec appears to be working with more and more handset makers which shows an interest in biometric security as we move closer to an NFC payments cashless society. Their AES1750 smart sensor is waterproof, which adds another set of benefits for OEMs to boast, and they have made quite a few announcements that let us know that AuthenTec is aligning itself in the NFC payments industry.