Cricket Wireless, one of America’s smaller wireless operators, will be releasing an Android 4.0 powered ZTE smartphone this summer called the Nova 4.0 V8000. We seriously hope that name gets changed. Anyway, what’s under the hood of this thing? There’s a 1.4 GHz single core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1 GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel camera, a 4 inch 800 x 480 pixel display, and a pretty massive 1,900 mAh battery. No word on pricing, but the folks at PhoneArena think it’ll come in at under $300 unsubsidized. What else do we know about this device? It runs a stock version of Android, which is hugely welcome, though it uses the same set of four capacitive buttons that we’ve been seeing since Android 2.3 Gingerbread devices first started shipping.
What we’re really interested in seeing is an unlocked GSM version of this thing. When you stop and think about it, the Nova 4.0 is basically the Samsung Nexus S, but with a much better camera, and a ridiculously large battery. That isn’t saying much though since the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus is just $399 unlocked and unsubsidized and it offers wildly improved specifications. Jam a Straight Talk SIM card inside that thing, enjoy unlimited everything for $45/month, and then laugh at everyone who pays double that every money while also rocking an inferior device.
While we’re on the subject of the state of the prepaid market in North America, we want to know why it’s not bigger? It’s certainly growing, but the majority of folks simply sign two year contracts, pay little to nothing up front, and then pay over $100 or more a month on service that they may or may not use. Doesn’t seem right in a market where players like Straight Talk, H2O Wireless, and Simple Mobile exist.
What do you think, is prepaid taboo or is it just easier to sign your life away?
[Via: Unwired View]