HTC Merge is now available on U.S. Cellular for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and requires purchase of a data plan. The device, which is basically a version of the T-Mobile G2/HTC Desire Z, comes with a 3.8-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen, side-sliding QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, GPS and other “standard for Android” goodies. Perhaps more important, it’s the carrier’s first Android-powered Global Ready smartphone, allowing travelers to keep using the same phone while visiting other countries.
Then there’s the LG Genesis, which will be available on June 9th. It too costs $149.99 after a $100 mail-in and again requires purchase of a data plan. The Genesis comes with two touchscreens, one measuring 3.5 inches (external) and the other one – 3.2-inches (internal). In addition, there’s a 5-megapixel camera, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, and 32GB of built-in storage.
Both the HTC Merge and LG Genesis run Android 2.2 Froyo and will most likely get the Gingerbread “treatment” later in the year…