Verizon Android 4G LTE devices coming Jan. 6

You might want to hold off on getting a new smartphone this holiday season because Verizon will be introducing an Android phone with 4G LTE in January at the Consumer Electronics Show.

“Jan. 6 at #CES: #Android and #LTE – could it be like peanut butter and chocolate? YUM!,” Verizon tweeted from its official account.

Verizon just launched its 4G LTE service in early December for laptops and this provides about 6-10 Mbps with burst speeds of over 12 Mbps. The company promised it would be showing a half a dozen smartphones and tablets at the CES show, so we’re in store for some devices which will take mobile broadband to the next level.

Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg will be doing the keynote speech at CES and I’m guessing the 4G LTE network will be a big part of his presentation.

So, what will some of the Verizon 4G Android phones be? We’ve seen some leaks of an LTE-capable HTC device that has been code-named “Mecha,” but this could also wind up being the Droid Incredible HD. Whatever device or devices debut, I’m sure that Big Red will want to keep the Droid brand going strong.

The nation’s largest mobile operator said it is still undecided about 4G LTE smartphone pricing. Will it keep the unlimited option that it still has with its tiered 3G or will it finally move to the limited “buckets of data” for multiple devices that we’ve heard rumblings about?

Sprint also offers 4G services for multiple smartphones and we’re expecting it to offer the HTC Speedy/EVO Slide at CES too. This company charges about $10 more per month for access to its WiMax services and it retains the unlimited data option.

What would you like to see from a Verizon Android 4G LTE phone? How much would you pay per month?

[Via Twitter, photo]

About The Author

Marin Perez

Marin Perez has torture tested cell phones and smartphones for industry leaders like CNET and InformationWeek. He remembers when 4G was just a screen on PowerPoint presentations and is fascinated with the amount of innovation out there. Marin has spent a lot of time with BlackBerry and Android but he finally broke down a bought an iPhone to see what all the hype's about. He also has too many tablets.

Merlin Coryell

First I would like to see Verizon catch up to the WiMax coverage, or at least tell us when they plan to open LTE in certain markets. I dont want to get an LTE phone if it will be a year and a half before the service is in my area.
Second, I would like for them to come to terms with current data caps and either offer truly unlimited LTE/3G plans, or risk losing the next generation of users who’s modern phones and use rates are eating up 5gb in no time.

All companies aside from Sprint (with no limits on WiMax), STOP pushing cell phones as multimedia tools if you are just going to cap the data so that you exceed the limit within a week of using those multimedia options!
Merlin Coryell

First I would like to see Verizon catch up to the WiMax coverage, or at least tell us when they plan to open LTE in certain markets. I dont want to get an LTE phone if it will be a year and a half before the service is in my area.
Second, I would like for them to come to terms with current data caps and either offer truly unlimited LTE/3G plans, or risk losing the next generation of users who’s modern phones and use rates are eating up 5gb in no time.

All companies aside from Sprint (with no limits on WiMax), STOP pushing cell phones as multimedia tools if you are just going to cap the data so that you exceed the limit within a week of using those multimedia options!
Merlin Coryell

First I would like to see Verizon catch up to the WiMax coverage, or at least tell us when they plan to open LTE in certain markets. I dont want to get an LTE phone if it will be a year and a half before the service is in my area.
Second, I would like for them to come to terms with current data caps and either offer truly unlimited LTE/3G plans, or risk losing the next generation of users who’s modern phones and use rates are eating up 5gb in no time.

All companies aside from Sprint (with no limits on WiMax), STOP pushing cell phones as multimedia tools if you are just going to cap the data so that you exceed the limit within a week of using those multimedia options!
Stemo76

I would not pay more per month for 4g unless it included hot spot with the price. Its crazy having to buy all these seperate data plans.
Logic

It costs a company a lot of money to build up their infrastructure. A great method to cover the cost is to only introduce it first in the big markets where money can easily be attained, such as where I’m at, New York City, LA, Washington D.C., and more. Additionally, nobody is pressuring you into getting an LTE phone.

You do have a point though with either offering Unlimited plans or going to a tier model. The way in which Verizon advertises their VCAST and other such applications heavily leans to the fact that the unlimited model is needed or else you’ll have a ton of upset customers if you go for the tier model.
Logic

It costs a company a lot of money to build up their infrastructure. A great method to cover the cost is to only introduce it first in the big markets where money can easily be attained, such as where I’m at, New York City, LA, Washington D.C., and more. Additionally, nobody is pressuring you into getting an LTE phone.

You do have a point though with either offering Unlimited plans or going to a tier model. The way in which Verizon advertises their VCAST and other such applications heavily leans to the fact that the unlimited model is needed or else you’ll have a ton of upset customers if you go for the tier model.
Logic

It costs a company a lot of money to build up their infrastructure. A great method to cover the cost is to only introduce it first in the big markets where money can easily be attained, such as where I’m at, New York City, LA, Washington D.C., and more. Additionally, nobody is pressuring you into getting an LTE phone.

You do have a point though with either offering Unlimited plans or going to a tier model. The way in which Verizon advertises their VCAST and other such applications heavily leans to the fact that the unlimited model is needed or else you’ll have a ton of upset customers if you go for the tier model.