According to Verizon’s Equipment Guide, they are planning to introduce follow-ups to two of their late-2011, early-2012 devices. The Samsung Stratosphere, aka the first 4G LTE slider, will get a refresh and be released as the Stratosphere 2 (SCH-I415). We aren’t seeing much for specs that would impress, but are assuming it’ll sport a Snapdragon S4. What 4G LTE phone doesn’t these days, right? Otherwise, we know it’ll have a 4″ Super AMOLED display, and carry the exact same form factor as its predecessor. 

The LG Spectrum is the other device that apparently still has a refresh in the works, known as the Spectrum 2 (VS930). As with the Stratosphere 2, we know almost nothing other than the model number from this Equipment Guide shot. Thankfully, we have been tracking this phone on benchmark sites and in other leaks for months now and are pretty sure that this will be similar to the LG Optimus LTE2. It should sport a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, an HD display, and an 8MP camera. It should be a solid offering.

It’s starting to appear as if Verizon is 100% invested in the Snapdragon S4 processor as it is efficient enough to do wonders with LTE radios and battery life. All of last year’s phone running anything less are getting phased out. We know that Motorola has two devices on the way to replace the original RAZR and MAXX, both that run the S4, along with the LG Intuition. And as you all know already, the Galaxy S3 runs the S4.

Any takers?

Samsung Stratosphere 2 and LG Spectrum 2 Also on the Way to Verizon is a post from: Droid Life

Yep, there you have it. The new Verizon-branded LG Optimus LTE2 will be known as the Spectrum 2. Kind of interesting seeing as how the first Spectrum launched this last January, not even a full eight months ago. From previous reports that we have seen, the device is set to come with Android 4.0.4, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4, 1GB of RAM, and an 8MP back shooter. There was also a rumored release date of 10 days ago, but clearly, that did not take place.

Any LG Spectrum owners feeling a bit cheated by this? Just half a year later and they are ready to introduce a beefed up version of your device that has a better processor and bigger display. It reminds us a lot of how DROID RAZR owners may have felt after they saw Verizon launch the RAZR MAXX.

Via: TechnoBuffalo

Verizon’s LG Optimus LTE2 to be Called Spectrum 2, Eight Months Later and We Already Have a Sequel? is a post from: Droid Life

Here is the LG VS930. Previously known to most as the Optimus LTE2, we can now rest assured that LG will not bring a dedicated home button to Big Red. According to Engadget’s source, we can expect the following specs from this device:

• Android 4.0.4
• 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 SoC
• 1GB of RAM
• 4.7-inch “True HD IPS” display (1280 x 720 pixels)
• 16GB of built-in storage
• Global radio support (GSM/UMTS/CDMA/LTE)
• NFC (it comes with programmable tags)
• 8MP camera

Along with the above picture and detailed specifications, a leaked PDF shows that this device could launch as early as July 13. Whoa, two days? Given that there hasn’t been any indication from Verizon that this phone even exists, the chances of a July 13 release date is slim.

Earlier reports indicated that we could be hopeful for 2GB of RAM, but apparently that isn’t happening anymore. Still, this should be one of LG’s finer offerings to come to Verizon in quite some time. Your thoughts? Tempted to check out an LG device?

Via: Engadget

Cheers Tony and Mike!

Verizon Branded LG Optimus LTE2 Pictured, Possible Launch in Two Days? is a post from: Droid Life

The LG-VS930, or better known to all of us as Verizon’s LG Optimus LTE2, cruised through the FCC yesterday. It’s sporting Big Red’s LTE frequency in the range of 777MHz to 787MHz in case you were wondering. Other than that bit of info, the FCC filing is your standard filing with no other dirty details being revealed.

What we do know is that boxes containing either the device or promotional materials have been shipping to VZW stores and that this phone has popped up in benchmarks in the past sporting a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. It should have 2GB of RAM as well. We also have known its codename of D1LV for a couple of months now, but LG has reportedly confirmed that to be the codename this morning.

This should be LG’s finest U.S. effort yet, however, it has the Galaxy S3 to compete with (our review).

Via:  FCC | Blog of Mobile

LG Optimus LTE2 Cruises Through the FCC Sporting Verizon’s LTE Frequency is a post from: Droid Life

The LG-VS930 has been on our radar for a couple of months as the device that LG hopes to compete with the Samsung Galaxy SIII. It first surfaced under the code name D1LV through a benchmark that outed its 4.7″ HD display, version of Ice Cream Sandwich, and  1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. Since then, we have grown to realize that this is the Optimus LTE2 that LG announced in early May as one of the first devices in the world with 2GB of RAM.

Specific details from Big Red have remained well hidden, but this anonymously sent picture below of what appears to be a shipping box with Optimus LTE2s inside has us wondering if this phone isn’t about to be announced. We still do not know an official name, however, we wouldn’t be surprised to see VZW go with something other than “Optimus.”

Thoughts? Any guesses on the name? Is LG still a player worth adding to your team?  

Cheers  ___!

Is Verizon About to Announce the LG Optimus LTE2? is a post from: Droid Life

After releasing our first ever monthly rumor round-up post in May and attempting to not commit to it being a monthly deal, we are back 1 month later with another. As we get ready for the summer, there are too many interesting stories floating around behind the scenes to not let you in on them. What we have here is information officially released paired with bits of info that have been handed to us from industry sources. Most of it can change with time, but we like to keep you up on the gossip behind the scenes. Enjoy. 

Galaxy SIII Release Date

Well, we know one thing is certain – you can pre-order Verizon’s Galaxy SIII on Wednesday for either $199 or $249 depending on how much internal storage you want. What we don’t know after that is, when you will receive your pre-order or when those on-the-fence customers will be able to fondle one in stores. T-Mobile and Sprint have already announced June 21 availability, but for whatever reason, Big Red wasn’t willing to go that far.

We have heard a couple of stories on this front from a number of sources. Most of them have been led to believe that Verizon’s will also launch around June 21 with the other carriers. That’s a Thursday, and as we all know, VZW certainly loves to launch things on Thursdays. Another source or two have heard that it may not launch so soon though and could push to July. I can’t say that I’m fully buying into a July launch, but then again nothing should surprise us after the Galaxy Nexus debacle. That was supposed to hit stores in November, yet thanks to Verizon’s insanely slow testing and ultra-high quality standards, it wasn’t released until mid-December.

DROID RAZR HD Updates

The DROID RAZR HD release date remains a complete mystery to this point. According to our sources, it will either launch towards the end of summer or “sooner than we think.” Yeah, if that doesn’t leave it up-in-the-air, then I don’t know what does. One thing we are pretty clear about are the specs, which should equate to a 4.6″ HD display, on-screen navigation keys, 13MP camera, 3300mAh battery, 4G LTE and Ice Cream Sandwich. From what we can tell, this will be Motorola’s best phone in quite some time.

Why the uncertainty? Well, since Samsung just stole everyone’s thunder by announcing Galaxy SIII availability in June, why would anyone else try to compete? Sure, Motorola has a decent following, but compared to what Samsung is doing these days, it would be device suicide to release the RAZR HD anywhere close to the GS3. Moto is probably making a smart move if they are indeed pushing the device to later on this summer.

Shared Data Plans Launch

They are coming, “this summer.” We still do not know specific details about pricing or data sums, but we know that unlimited data is going away for good and will be replaced by account level tiers. Well, almost. If you want to keep unlimited data going forward, once these shared tiers launch, you will have to buy phones outright at full retail price rather than the much more appealing subsidized price.

I think the biggest question everyone has right now is, whether or not Verizon will try to sneak these in before the launch of the Galaxy SIII to get all of the customers upgrading at a discounted rate. All signs so far point to that not happening. Plus, the pre-order is going down on Wednesday, so unless VZW somehow launches shared data tiers tomorrow, you can lock into your unlimited plan with the discounted price without moving to a tier then.

I don’t have any insider info on this, but I would imagine that we will see shared tiers in mid-July at the earliest. The RAZR HD will likely be the new phone that launches and forces you to buy at full retail unless you want to give up your unlimited plan.

Incredible 4G LTE Release Date

Oh, you forgot about this phone? As did I and almost every other soon-to-be-new-phone-owner. With all of this Samsung Galaxy SIII talk, the Incredible 4G LTE may have a rocky road ahead of it. Verizon announced this little guy back on May 7 without a release date and here we are almost a month later, still without anything concrete.

From what we have heard, there are still some tests being done, so it seems unlikely that it will come in the next few days. It could be here at some point in June, but then it has to compete with the Galaxy SIII on some level. While it will launch at a lower price point (potentially $149), the GS3 at $199 would be worth the extra $50 if you have an upgrade available.

I can’t imagine that Verizon will postpone the launch of this phone much longer though, so look for an announcement with a date any day. In the mean time, be sure to check out our hands-on time with the device from CTIA.

LG Optimus LTE2 With 2GB of RAM

A Verizon-branded LG Optimus LTE2 has been spotted a couple of times now as model number VS930. Potential release dates are anyone’s guess, but we do know that this phone is an absolute beast. It has a 4.7″ HD display, 2GB of RAM, dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, Ice Cream Sandwich, and is LG’s attempt at competing with the Galaxy SIII. We aren’t sure how popular it will be with LG’s name on it, but if the Galaxy SIII and RAZR HD aren’t making you hot, this could be a decent option.

Ice Cream Sandwich Updates (Razr, Rezound, etc.)

First off, the best way to keep up with Ice Cream Sandwich updates is through our official list. From there, you will see that the DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX are due to receive their updates by the end of this month. Obviously things can happen that can alter that, but as of last week, Motorola told us to expect it by the end of Q2. Cross those fingers that Verizon signs off on every test build going forward.

The Rezound, according to HTC, should receive Android 4.0 by the end of July, however, they will release it as soon as they can, potentially in June.

____________________________________________

So that’s it for this month’s rumor mill on Verizon. If you stumble across any other details that we may have missed or if you find yourself in a situation where sharing of information through our tip line would be a fun time, please do.

June 2012 Rumor Round-up: Galaxy S3 Launch Date, RAZR HD Sooner Than Thought, and Shared Data is a post from: Droid Life

An LG device with the model number VS930 has been on our radar for a few weeks now, most likely as Verizon’s version of the LG Optimus LTE2. The model number matches up to the naming scheme that Big Red has used in the past for LG phones – VS920 (Spectrum) and VS910 (Revolution). We also saw a benchmark for the device appear back in early April with Verizon tags all over it. Today, it popped up again, this time at the GCF (Global Certification Forum) with a bunch of global radios inside and not a mention of the CDMA or LTE bands we expect to see when the phone finds its way to the States. Our guess, is that most VZW phones going forward will have global roaming capabilities and that’s what was being tested for here. 

For those not familiar, the Optimus LTE2 is LG’s attempt at competing with Samsung and the Galaxy SIII. They even announced it to the world on the same day that the GS3 was unveiled, but looked to 1-up it by tossing in 2GB of RAM – a first for a smartphone. Other than the massive amounts of RAM, it should sport a 4.7″ HD display, 2150mAh battery, on-board wireless charging, Ice Cream Sandwich, and a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. The look could change slightly when Verizon gets it, which we say because very few U.S. phones have a physical home button like you are seeing pictured above.

We aren’t exactly sure when the phone will be released, but LG was targeting mid-May for Korea. As you know by now, the U.S. market is much slower at releasing phones, so it wouldn’t surprise us to see this phone be pushed to mid-Summer.

Is there any way for LG to win you over? They seem to be the last resort for most of the DL community, but could the Optimus LTE2 be the one to make you tingle?

Via:  GCF | Blog of Mobile

Verizon’s LG Optimus LTE2 Appears Again, This Time at the GCF is a post from: Droid Life

A few hours after the Next Galaxy announcement last week when we learned the Galaxy SIII was official, the other Korean handset maker had a nice quiet announcement about their new flagship phone as well. LG quickly pushed out information about the Optimus LTE2 and attempted to wow the masses with the fact that it sports 2GB of RAM. Now we’ve got some leaked pictures of the phone and some information to see if there is anything else interesting about this phone.

At first glance, looking at this phone you would think that it is the international version of the Galaxy SII, and it makes LG’s obsession with Samsung pretty apparent. We learned what we didn’t know before and that was the question around the chipset in this phone. It has a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor with a 4.7″ True HD IPS screen on top. It is running LG’s skin over top of Ice Cream Sandwich and has a 2,150mAh battery inside. There are even leaked pictures of LG’s own wireless charging accessory for this new phone, something that Samsung also announced at their press conference.

There are plenty of more leaked photos at the source link below, but this leaves us thinking. This all sounds good on paper but with LG’s track record they just haven’t been able to relate the specs into good sales in the US. There is a stigma about the brand that they need to shake. Do the specs for this phone sound good enough for you to give it a look?

Via: Kuccblog

LG Optimus LTE2 Gets Leaked Photos Galore, Really Wants To Compete With The Galaxy SIII is a post from: Droid Life

According to analysts and bloggers fanboys, Samsung’s launch of the Galaxy SIII was suppose to be thee launch of 2012. To some, it may have seemed to be anything but. In a surprising move, there was another device manufacturer that decided to unveil a new device on the same day as Sammy though. LG decided to go against the grain and announce the Optimus LTE2. What makes this device stand out is its whopping 2GB of RAM, wireless charging capabilities (zing), LG’s True HD IPS display, and a massive 2,150mAh battery.

No word from LG on which chipset we can expect to see included with the device, but we can hope it is something powerful enough to take full advantage of that 2GB of RAM. Much like the SGSIII, the device is expected to launch this month in Korea, with no signs of an American launch. Figures. Sure the design may look sort of horrendous, but those specs are nothing to scoff at.

Via: Engadget

LG Announces the Optimus LTE2 With 2GB of RAM, Eat Your Heart Out SGSIII is a post from: Droid Life

A new device by LG was name dropped over the weekend in Korea that is supposed to compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy SIII. Currently under codename “D1L” the device will sport a 4.7″ HD display, Snapdragon S4 processor, and run Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. It may seem odd that they would release a phone of this magnitude only a few months after announcing the Optimus 4X HD with its Tegra 3 processor and other top tier specs, but there is one thing you have to remember – we only care about LTE here in the States. The Tegra 3, isn’t friends with LTE radios at this time, so carriers here are opting for Qualcomm’s latest chipset which is.

If you were wondering where this new “D1L” device may be headed first, it looks like we have an answer thanks to a recent GLBenchmark: Verizon. They got creative with the codename on this one and are calling it the “D1LV” (“V” for Verizon in case you missed that) for now under model number VS930 (Spectrum was VS920). According to this benchmark, it will sport Android 4.0.3, an HD screen (720×1280 resolution), and a 1.5Ghz processor which we are assuming to be the Snapdragon S4.

Korean sources are calling for a May release. With a benchmark going live with Verizon signatures all over it, I’d say it might actually hit that time frame.

So we ask, is there anything that LG can do to win you over?

Via:  GLBenchmark, Ameblo, The Verge

Verizon to Release the LG D1LV with 4.7-inch HD Display and Snapdragon S4 in May to Compete with the Galaxy SIII? is a post from: Droid Life