Even as Verizon Wireless gets ready for the launch of Apple"s iPhone 4S on Friday, the wireless carrier has another phone launch that should be of interest if you want a smartphone that supports Verizon"s speedy LTE-based network. The company announced today that the Android-based Samsung Stratosphere will be made available for sale at Verizon on Thursday, October 13.
The big feature for this particular phone is the slide-out QWERTY keyboard which is a first for any Verizon smartphone that supports the LTE network. It also has the Android 2.3 version of the operating system inside along with a four inch Super AMOLED touch screen display. It has a 1 GHz processor, a five megapixel rear facing camera and a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera. It also has the option to turn on its mobile hotspot feature which will allow up to eight devices to connect to the LTE network via WiFi or up to five devices on the 3G network. Pricing for the Samsung Stratosphere will be $149.99 with a new two year contract and a $50 mail in rebate.
In addition to the launch of the Samsung Stratosphere and the iPhone 4S this week, rumors are that Verizon will be selling the first smartphone with Android 4.0 inside. The official press release for the phone from Samsung and Google was supposed to be held on Tuesday but has been delayed to another, still unannounced, date out of respect to the passing of Apple founder Steve Jobs last week.
Image via Verizon