A snippet of AT&T’s summer launch schedule has slipped out, hinting that the HTC Status and LG Thrill will be launched this month, and that the new BlackBerry Torch is launching in August. The HTC Status (better known as “the Facebook phone”) and LG Thrill have both already been officially announced, but specific launch dates haven’t been mentioned yet. The BlackBerry Torch 4G hasn’t been announced yet, despite numerous leaks. From what we’ve seen on the spec sheet, we’re expecting the new Torch to be of the HSPA+ variety of 4G.
The Thrill 4G will have a 3D display that doesn’t require goofy glasses to get the full effect. Also known as the Optimus 3D, the Thrill will have twin 5 megapixel cameras to capture stills and video in stereoscopic 3D, and include options to upload the 3D to YouTube right from the device. Take a look at our Optimus 3D review to get a feeling for the Thrill 4G. The HTC Status launched elsewhere in the world as the ChaCha, and has a more modest spec sheet, though it’s launching with Android 2.4 Gingerbread. The key feature on the QWERTY candybar is a dedicated Facebook button, which is the first time the prodigious social has slapped their branding on cell phone hardware. We’ve got some hands-on time with it over here. Finally, the BlackBerry Torch 2 9810 will have an identical exterior to the original launched last summer, but have a higher-resolution screen, NFC, a magnetic compass, and run the new OS 7 with a fresh Liquid Graphics rendering engine.
That’s a pretty solid midsummer lineup for AT&T, and it’s probably safe to assume there will be another big push just before back-to-school around late August. Fingers are crossed for a new iPhone, but it’s hard to say what else will be coming out in time for September. Are there any phones in particular you’d like to see by the end of the summer? Maybe one of these three tickle your fancy?
