Over the next six months Verizon will unleash one of the most impressive lineup of Android devices we have ever seen. There will be smartphones of all shapes and sizes including several lightning-fast 4G LTE models, a couple of dual-core beasts, devices made for play or work, and several sequels to some of our favorites. Check out the details of eight upcoming Verizon Android phones after the jump.
1. HTC Thunderbolt
Everyone knows about the HTC Thunderbolt by now, which should be Verizon’s first 4G LTE phone. The device has been in testing for awhile as Verizon works out some issues, but it should be launching “by the end of Q2″. Rumored pricing places the Thunderbolt around $249-299 on contract. We are still waiting to learn how Verizon’s tiered 4G data will work on smartphones, but see the Xoom’s data plans for a preview of the pricing.
Highlights of the Thunderbolt include:
- Android 2.2
- 1 GHz Snapdragon single-core CPU (MSM8x55)
- 4.3 inch WVGA TFT capacitive touch screen
- 8MP with autofocus, LED Flash (2x LED), 1.3MP front facing camera
- 8GB emmc + 768 RAM Memory card, preinstalled 32 GB microSD
- 1400 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G, 4G LTE
For more information see the HTC site.
2. LG Revolution
The LG Revolution was another 4G LTE phone unveiled at CES that is slated for a Q2 release. This device is similar to the Thunderbolt in terms of CPU and display, but it has a few notable features like Qi wireless charging and support for voice over LTE (VoLTe). The Revolution recently passed through the FCC and is currently in testing, so there is a small chance it could beat the Thunderbolt to stores (unless HTC has some exclusive deal).
Highlights of the LG Revolution include:
- Android 2.2
- 1 GHz Snapdragon single-core CPU (MSM8x55)
- 4.3-inch display (800 x 480)
- 5 megapixel camera with flash, 1.3 front-facing camera
- 16 GB internal storage, 512 MB RAM
- 1500 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G, 4G LTE
For more information see the LG CES 2011 site.
3. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
The Xperia Play (aka PlayStation phone) was leaked a really long time ago and Sony Ericsson finally announced it at Mobile World Congress. This will be the first device to be PlayStation Certified and have access to the PlayStation Store. Gameloft will release their 10 best selling games for the Xperia Play’s launch and produce 10 more titles within six months. We don’t know when it will hit stores, but it should arrive by summer.
- Android 2.3
- 1 GHz Snapdragon single core CPU (MSM8x55)
- 4 inch LED-backlit LCD display(480 x 854)
- 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, VGA front-facing camera
- 8 GB internal storage, 512 MB RAM
- 1500 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G
For more information see the Sony Ericsson site.
4. Samsung Stealth
Back at CES Verizon was calling this phone the “Samsung 4G LTE phone”, but it now sounds like they have decided on the name Stealth. This device is similar to the Galaxy S series since it has the same Humingbird CPU, but there are new additions like the Super AMOLED display and support for LTE. Current rumors suggest the Samsung Stealth will fly into Verizon stores by mid-April.
Highlights of the Samsung Stealth include:
- Android 2.2
- 1 GHz Hummingbird single-core CPU
- 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Plus Display
- 8-megapixel camera with LED flash, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera
- Unknown memory
- 1500 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G, 4G LTE
For more information see the Samsung press release.
5. Casio G’zOne Commando
We have never mentioned Casio’s G’zOne Commando smartphone, but it was on display back at CES. The Commando is a rugged phone that is water resistant and designed for outdoor activities. Casio packed eight useful tools into this phone including an earth compass, walking counter, adventure training, thermometer, tides, sun/moon, and star gazer. Specs are unknown at this point, but it is rumored to have an 800 MHz processor.
For more coverage see PhoneScoop and AndroidSpin.
6. HTC Droid Incredible 2
No real surprises here. HTC’s Droid Incredible was one of the best selling Android phones on Verizon and now they are launching a sequel. The Droid Incredible 2 will be nearly identical to the recently announced Incredible S. The design has been tweaked, processor and memory have been upgraded, and a front-facing camera was added. We have already seen the device pop up in Verizon’s inventory system and it’s currently being tested, so look for a release in the coming months.
Highlights of the Incredible 2 include:
- 1 GHz Snapdragon single-core CPU (MSM8x55)
- 4 inch display 480 x 800 resolution
- 8 megapixel color camera with auto focus and dual LED flash, 720p HD video recording , 1.3 megapixel front camera
- 1 GB internal storage (subject to change), 768 MB RAM
- 1450 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G
For more information see the HTC site.
7. Motorola Droid Bionic
The Droid Bionic was announced at CES and is Verizon’s first 4G smartphone with a dual-core CPU. It is similar to the Motorola Atrix 4G, but it gains a larger display while losing 512 MB RAM and the fingerprint scanner. If I was a Verizon customer, this phone would be at the top of my list. The scheduled release date is Q2.
Highlights of the Droid Bionic include:
- Android 2.2
- 1 GHz Tegra 2 dual-core CPU
- 4.3 inch qHD (540 x 960) display
- 8 megapixels camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480) front-facing camera
- 16 GB internal storage, 512 MB RAM
- 1930 mAh battery
- Network support – Verizon 3G, 4G LTE
For more information see the Motorola site.
8. Motorola Droid X2
Rounding out the group we have the Motorola Droid X2. We know from leaked pictures of the Droid X2 that it will look almost identical to the original, much the same way the Droid 2 resembled the Droid 1. However on the inside, Motorola has upgraded the specs to include a dual-core Tegra 2 chip. Overall the specs are pretty similar to the Droid Bionic, but the Droid X2 will only operate on Verizon’s 3G network and not support LTE. Expect a summer launch.
Rumored specs for the Droid X2 include:
- 1 GHz Tegra 2 dual-core CPU
- 4.3 inch qHD (540 x 960) display
- 8 megapixels camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, front-facing camera
- 16 GB internal storage, 512 MB RAM
- Battery unknown
- Network support – Verizon 3G
For more on the Droid X2 see our previous post.
Which one will you buy?
If you are looking for a new Android phone, it’s a good time to be a Verizon customer. Every one of these devices looks to be a quality product (Casio I’m not sure of yet) and Verizon has something that appeals to everyone but the fans of physical QWERTY keyboards.
These are all the phones we know about right now, but Verizon is likely to toss in a couple mid-range models from HTC and Motorola. I expect they will also launch the Samsung Galaxy S II and Motorola Droid 3, so Verizon could offer well over a dozen Android devices in the next six months.
Which Verizon phone do you want the most?
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