Virgin Mobile USA today launched the Slash by Samsung, the company’s first wireless handset developed with global consumer electronics powerhouse, Samsung Mobile.

Retailing at just $79.99, Slash is a slim slider phone with a sleek and compact profile. It comes equipped with a VGA camera, Bluetooth wireless technology, and full messaging capabilities (IM, text messaging and email).

Slash by Samsung includes such must-have features as an integrated speakerphone and voice-activated dialing, and boasts a bright color display and lots of storage.

The phone can hold up to 499 contact entries, with up to five phone numbers, two email addresses and one website per individual. Slash is also outfitted with preloaded and customizable Autotext for fast and easy text messaging.

The VirginXL portal gives Slash owners access to a huge array of Virgin Mobile USA content, including animated and real music ringtones and ringback tones, and Headliner — Virgin Mobile USAs’ exclusive mobile music magazine with on-demand access to music-related content like artist news, charts and concert dates.

Spanish-speaking customers have access to in-language options right at their fingertips, thanks to an enhanced Spanish-language user interface and menu also preloaded on Slash.

Light and compact, Slash by Samsung weighs in at just 3-ounces and measures 3.8″ by 1.8″ by 0.7″. Its battery life offers customers up to 3.5 hours of talk time and a week of standby time (approximately 170 hours).