Waiting for the latest Moto Droid to drop?  While it's not yet official, the Motorola Droid 4 has shown up on leaks this week and it looks pretty sweet.

Design bears some similarities to the Droid Razr, although it's not quite as slim.  The extra thickness, of course, comes courtesy of the five-row slide-out keyboard, which looks a bit cramped based on the product images (or maybe it's just the angle).  We do love the white backlighting that appears all around each key, though.

Leaked details of the Motorola Droid 4 include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen (960 x 540 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera (with 1080p video recording), a front-facing video cam, a 4G LTE radio and a 1,785mAh battery.  Processing is handled by a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, paired with 1GB of RAM.

The handset only runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, instead of Ice Cream Sandwich.   Other notable features include Moto's slightly modified UI, government-grade encryption for sensitive data (email, calendars and contacts), 1080p mirroring via HDMI and a bunch of Motorola's applications (including Motocast and Smart Actions battery-saver).

Based on the leaked Verizon documents, the Motorola Droid 4 will come out before the year ends, likely within the first two weeks of December.

[Droid-Life]

Verizon has announced a new mid-range Android smartphone.  Called the Samsung Illusion, the handset boasts modest but delectable specs that are bound to attract a good chunk of the current Android crowd.

We have no idea what's up with the "Illusion" name since nothing about this device screams particularly deceptive or tricky.   Or maybe there is and we just don't notice it.  Dun-dun-dun…

Details of the Samsung Illusion include a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display (800 x 480 resolution), a 3.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi (with mobile hotspot capability), Bluetooth 3.0 and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).  Processor is a single-core 1GHz Hummingbird.

The styling is identifiably Samsung, with its rounded corners and familiar face design.  It uses a bunch of environment-friendly materials, too, although the green angle appears to be downplayed in the marketing.  Android 2.3 runs at the helm, boasting all the usual favors like Google Mobile Services, corporate email support and robust messaging.

From today through the 28th, the Samsung Illusion will be available free on contract from Verizon Wireless' website.  It won't hit physical Verizon stores until 2012, so you'll have to order online to get it.  After the 28th, price bumps back up to $79.99.

Verizon has announced a new smartphone from Samsung, the first in the carrier's roster to have both an LTE radio and a physical QWERTY keyboard.  Called the Samsung Stratosphere, the handset appears to be geared towards mid-range business users.

Clad in a slider candybar form factor, the phone features a five-row landscape keyboard and a 4-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen.  Because of the wide dimensions, both the keys and the display look spacious, making it ideal for both extended messaging and browsing sessions.

Details of the Samsung Stratosphere include a 5.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with LED flash), a 1.3 megapixel camera module, aGPS, WiFi (with wireless hotspot up to 8 connections), 4G, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, DLNA and microSD card expansion.  A 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird provides the needed processing muscle.

It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with the usual range of Google Mobile Services and Samsung offerings (e.g. Samsung Media Hub).  Since it's being aimed at business users, it comes with plenty of features for the suit-and-tie crowd.  Aside from the "most comprehensive mobile implementation of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync," it comes with Cisco AnyConnect VPN, data encryption and mobile device management (via Sybase Afaria).

The Samsung Stratosphere will hit Verizon retail stores beginning October 13.  Price is $149.99 after a $50 rebate with the usual two-year contract.

[via GadgetLab]

The Samsung Stratosphere hasn't been officially announced.  We're guessing they won't need to, since Verizon just went ahead and sent out the full specs to the guys over at Droid Life.

According to the blog post, Verizon is billing the handset as a "mid-tier" option, which sounds pretty sweet for a smartphone packing a 4-incher out in front. Not just that, it packs a landscape slide-out QWERTY, too, adding another conundrum to our ever-growing list of smartphone options.

Details of the Samsung Stratosphere include a 4-inch capacitive Super AMOLED touchscreen (480 x 800 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera in the rear (with LED flash), a 1.3 megapixel video cam out front, 4G, 3G, WiFi, mobile hotspot (up to 8 devices for 4G) and microSD card expansion (4GB preloaded, up to 32GB capacity).  Muscle is provided by a 1GHz CPU, paired with 512MB of RAM.

The phone will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread with TouchWiz on top and the requisite load of Google Mobile services.  According to Verizon, the phone should appeal to consumers looking for a "mid-tier option… with fast web browsing and messaging capabilities."

No exact word on pricing, but we should know soon, since the Samsung Stratosphere is slated to launch on October 6.

[via Droid Life]

Verizon has announced a new LG QWERTY slider joining its roster.  Called the LG Enlighten, it's an affordable Android phone for messaging-heavy users with modest processing needs.

Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the press release claims the handset is "ideal for messaging, email and apps in a slim and affordable" package.  Can't argue with that.  Plus, the keyboard looks nice, despite seeming slightly cramped.

Details of the LG Enlighten include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display (320 x 480 resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0 and microSD card support (2GB included; 32GB capacity).  Processor is a modest 800MHz CPU, which should be good for most regular users (you know, those who don't intend to tax their phones with graphics-heavy games).

Google's usual suite of services are onboard, along with support for Flash 10 on the browser.  It can also handle 3G mobile hotspot, generously sharing the bandwidth with up to five devices over WiFi.

The LG Enlighten should be available from Verizon's online store starting today, with physical shops getting it on September 29.   Price is $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate on a new two-year agreement.  We do suggest waiting for the handset to drop at Walmart, where it's been rumored to be retailing for less than a dollar.

[VZW]

Still not into the whole smartphone nonsense you've been hearing about?  Feed your slightly less sophisticated cellphone needs with the LG Cosmos 2, a dual-keyboard slider coming out on Verizon.

The direct replacement to last year's LG Cosmos, it bears a similar form factor to the predecessor, sporting both alphanumeric keys in the front panel and a landscape slide-out QWERTY keyboard.  We're not sure how receptive today's market is to messaging-focused devices like these, but carriers probably keep them on the shelves for a reason.

Details of the LG Cosmos 2 include a smallish LCD screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera module, Bluetooth 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).   Even Luddites with dumbphones use social networks, too, so the phone's got Mobile Web, with shortcuts straight to the mobile pages for Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.  With neither WiFi nor 3G, browsing will probably be a pain in the ass, though.  Extra features include a Mobile Email app (trial basis) and a document viewer for all those Office attachments.

The LG Cosmos 2 will be available both in Verizon stores and online starting tomorrow, July 14.  Price is $29.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract.

[Verizon Wireless]

Verizon just put the official stamp on one of the heavily-leaked phones from the past couple of weeks.  That will be the Motorola Droid 3, the third iteration of Verizon's successful Droid series that really helped kick the Android floodgates for good when it first dropped.

They're billing it as "the world's thinnest full QWERTY smartphone," measuring just half an inch on its sides.   All that while sporting a five-row landscape keyboard that slides out from the side.

Details of the Motorola Droid 3 include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display (960 x 540 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with autofocus and 1080p video capture), a front-facing webcam, aGPS, WiFi, 3G with Mobile Hotspot sharing, Bluetooth 2.1, DLNA, an HDMI out, 16GB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion.  Muscle is provided by a dual-core 1GHz processor, with juice provided by a 1,540 mAh battery rated at 9.1 hours of talk time.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread runs at the helm, likely with a scaled down Motoblur on top.  All the usual Android favors are onboard, along with extra security features like complex password control, advanced SD card encryption and remote wipe.  Oh yeah, it's a world phone, too, with compatible radios for up to 200 countries (and 125 for 3G data) on top of that.  It could just be the sweetest thing ever if only 4G was also in tow.

The Motorola Droid 3 will hit stores around July 14, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement (which, at this point, we all know won't include unlimited data).

[Verizon]

Casio has carved quite a comfy niche with their G'zone line of rugged phones.  Here's the latest one trickling out of Verizon: the Android-runnin' Casio G'zone Commando.

Bearing a name that inspires images of John Rambo, the handset is a full-on ruggedized device.  That means, it's equipped to stand most extreme conditions, passing military standards 810G for immersion, rain, dust, shock, vibration, salt, fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and excessive temperatures.

Details of the Casio G'zone Commando include a capacitive touchscreen display (unspecified size), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash), aGPS, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 3G mobile hotspot capability, stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.   It runs Android 2.2 Froyo.

According to Verizon's press release, the phone is ideal for business environments, especially for occupations requiring exposure to field work and outdoor elements (e.g. construction, healthcare, transport).  As such, they've fitted it with high-security encryption for corporate email, aside from the survivalist construction.  We can't imagine it being any less attractive for rugged nature types either, especially with Casio's G'zGEAR software preinstalled, which offers various tools for outdoor enthusiasts and their ilk.

Expect the Casio G'zone Commando to hit Verizon stores this Thursday, April 28.  Price is $199.99 with a new two-year agreement.

[via Press release ]

After leaks upon leaks, Verizon has finally put an official stamp on the HTC Droid Incredible 2.   While the specs aren't quite as incredible-sounding in light of oncoming Android hardware, it's still quite the muscle-packin' smartphone.

The follow-up to last year's Droid Incredible S, the new handset doesn't stray too far from the original both in looks and internals.  As such, it isn't the top-of-the-class device that the Incredible was when it first rolled out, although it does cram a few new niceties.

The Droid Incredible 2 gets a bump up in screen size (4 inches compared to its predecessor's 3.7 inches), apart from adding a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and DLNA compatibility.  It retains the same 1GHz processor, 8 megapixel camera (with 720p video) and OS, though (Android 2.2 Froyo), so it could feel a bit underwhelming as an upgrade.  Other details include your usual smartphone favors, like aGPS, WiFi, 3G with HSPA, mobile hotspot (up to 5 devices), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.

One big differentiator could be international support, as Verizon claims that the new device is global-ready, capable of utilizing voice and data services in over 200 countries.  Availability begins this Thursday, April 28, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement.

[Verizon]

Verizon has finally announced Samsung's first 4G LTE smartphone.  Called the Samsung Droid Charge, the new handset is notable for a lot of things, although there's one detail of particular concern: it costs $299.99 on contract.  That's right, the era of $300 phones is finally upon us with this latest announcement.

To both Verizon and Samsung's credit, this is a pretty spanking phone.  In fact, the $50 markup over the HTC Thunderbolt might even be justified.  We'll see soon enough, though, whether that price will have as many takers as the prevailing $200 ceiling.

Details of the Samsung Droid Charge include a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module with LED flash, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, aGPS, 4G/3G connectivity, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth and a 1GHz processor.  The inclusion of 4G LTE means you'll get download speeds of between 5 and 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps, which you can share with up to 10 devices at a time over Mobile Hotspot.

It runs Android 2.2, presumably with Samsung's TouchWiz UI running on top.  You'll get the usual suite of Google Mobile Services, of course, along with a variety of apps and offerings, including the Samsung Media Hub.

Honestly, if they're pricing a phone with this kind of specs at $299.99 on a two-year contract, I'm a little scared what price point they're considering for those dual-core beasts.    You can get the Samsung Droid Charge from Verizon Wireless stores beginning April 28.

[Press release]