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Droid Incredible 4G LTE Might Be Dead in the Water

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At this point, I don’t even know why Verizon would release the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE. Actually, I do know why. It probably has to fulfill a contract with HTC. Still, both companies might want to re-think their plans because the Droid Incredible 4G LTE is likely going to be a dud.

Back in early May, Verizon announced the oft-rumored Droid Incredible 4G LTE.

Only, it didn’t release any sort of information on the pricing or release date for the device.

That was mistake number one.

If Verizon didn’t know when it was going to release the phone or how much it was going to charge for it, why on earth did it even make the announcement? The carrier should know by now that smartphone consumers are impatient creatures. Many don’t want to wait week after week for release date and pricing confirmation.

Mistake number two happened when Verizon failed to communicate any sort of a delay to interested parties. You see, Apple engaged HTC in a patent dispute that held HTC-made phones up at the U.S. border. That hold up delayed the launch of Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G LTE and it put the AT&T HTC One X out of stock. It also made other phones like Virgin Mobile’s HTC EVO V 4G hard to find.

Verizon decided to stay silent and offered up zero information on the status of the Droid Incredible 4G LTE. If it had said something, consumers might have been more inclined to wait it out.

The carrier’s third mistake was staying mum about the device, even while announcing the availability of the Samsung Galaxy S III. The Samsung Galaxy S III is going to be headed to Verizon in July and pre-orders began yesterday.

While it’s certainly a debatable subject, I believe the Galaxy S III blows the Droid Incredible 4G LTE out of the water.

The Galaxy S III has a bigger battery than the Droid Incredible 4G LTE which will help to mitigate the strain that LTE has on the battery life. In fact, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE’s battery is 1,700 mAh, which is tiny.

Both employ dual-core Snapdragon S4 processors but the Galaxy S III’s is clocked faster, 1.5GHz to 1.2GHz.

The Galaxy S III is thinner than the 11.7mm design of the Droid Incredible 4G LTE and most notably, the Galaxy S III employs a Super AMOLED display with HD resolution. The Droid Incredible 4G LTE is stuck with qHD.

So really, the only reason that someone might buy the Droid Incredible 4G LTE would be because of the 4-inch display. And see, that’s where Verizon made its fourth mistake.

Unless it decides to launch the phone this weekend, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE is going to get overshadowed by iOS 6, Apple’s new operating system that is going to be announced on Monday.

We’ve heard that there are some pretty fantastic features on board the software and we’ve also heard that it might be accompanying a 4-inch iPhone 5 this fall.

Obviously, that is not set in stone but it appears probable and that might be enough to pull would-be defectors away from the Droid Incredible 4G LTE.

Fall, when the iPhone is supposed to launch, isn’t all that far off either.

Phones like the RAZR MAXX are cheap and offer good specs.

About the only thing Verizon has done right here is price the device appropriately. It appears that the phone will cost $149.99 on-contract which is appealing, until you see that the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX and its huge battery and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with its HD screen and the Samsung Galaxy S III are priced at $199.99.

Read: Droid RAZR MAXX Review: Insane Battery Life (Editors’ Choice).

The Galaxy Nexus and Droid RAZR MAXX are even cheaper at retailers like Amazon.

That being said, it’s going to be a tough road for the Droid Incredible 4G LTE should it launch this summer. Would I be singing a different tune had it launched in May like it was supposed to?

I’m not sure but at least then it would’ve had a chance.

Anyone feel the same way or are you still going to be buying the Droid Incredible 4G LTE when it arrives, possibly on June 21st?

21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. mike

    06/07/2012 at 4:04 pm

    Yes, I agree wholeheartedly!
    They have me very dissatisfied Verizon/HTC customer

  2. Jim Bishop

    06/07/2012 at 4:31 pm

    Yes, Iam going to get it. Who would want a phone with a screen the size of a tv? I also think the iphone is way over rated. HTC is a great phone.

  3. john

    06/07/2012 at 5:28 pm

    I’m still going to get the Dinc 4G if it reviews well. Your arguments are so ridiculous as to be utter nonsense, and the non-sequiturs…where did you learn to write? Seriously dude, not everyone wants a phone that doubles as a serving tray regardless of specs. Some of us want a reasonable size phone, like around 4″ say and NOT AN IPHONE! I own an iPad and its great, but for a phone I want more flexibility and that ain’t Apple. I have a OG Dinc now and the 4G may be the phone that finally forces it into retirement. Got it Fanboy?

    • matt

      06/07/2012 at 6:31 pm

      This wasn’t a review of the phone or a person-specific advice column. The author gave reasons why the phone wouldn’t sell well, all of which seem to be spot on in my book. Don’t take every article you read on the internet so damn personally.

      • Bryan

        06/20/2012 at 1:19 pm

        So the device is going to fail b/c it was held up due to Apple’s dispute…????? Wow!!
        How many electronics are delayed on release and still do very well in sales? Many! To compare this phone to a phone/tablet device does not make much sense and tells me that the author could not drum up any other “negative” reasons to hate this phone. It has a smaller battery b/c it is a smaller phone with a smaller display and a the processor is not overclocked so the device will have better battery life. I have the original Incredible and it is one of the best phones I have ever owned, ZERO problems! The S3 is a cool phone but I want something that will fit in my pocket.

        How many times is he gonna menntion iPhone in this column. Get in line sheep for the samephone 5.

    • americaballs

      06/08/2012 at 10:08 am

      I think you are just mad that we haven’t seen or heard any official announcements, yet other phones are getting the royal treatment!

      I was very excited when the DInc4G was announced. I really was! Finally, a sleek smartphone that doesn’t think that bigger is better!!

      The only problem is that they went the wrong direction. They downgraded the front-facing camera, only clocked the upgraded S4 at 1.2ghz, and didn’t include the One X ImageChip. :(

      This phone WOULD have been a powerhouse if released mid-May.

      I was dead against the Galaxy S3. 4.8″ for a screen is ridiculous. But…when released overseas, due to not having a quad-core, it got a spec bump to 2gb!! That was a shock!

      I really hope that HTC is delaying this phone in hopes of getting a spec bump as well, and not just because VZW is being paid off by Samsung.

      With this kind of treatment from VZW, I doubt this phone will see much updates. Since the GS3 is released across all major carriers, it has a better chance of being supported.

      That is why I am now settling for a Galaxy S3. I would have been on the DInc4G party boat if it set sailed mid May…but it seems VZW is sinking this ship before it sets sail.

    • Andy

      06/14/2012 at 7:43 pm

      I’m with you on the size front. SO many of these phones are enormous, it would be amazing to have something that could still fit in your pocket. I actually wish this Dinc 4g was 3.7 inches.

  4. m

    06/07/2012 at 6:02 pm

    LOL…is samsung paying you? First, the extra 400 mah on the GS3 will easily be eaten up with the extra processor speed and bigger screen. The DINC 4G will get the same or better battery life even with the smaller battery. And do you think anyone will really notice the difference between 1.2 ghz and 1.5? Come on. And Samsung phones are notorious for bad build and bad radios (poor signal strength). Not to mention I’ll take Sense over Touchwiz any day. To each his own.

  5. John

    06/07/2012 at 7:04 pm

    I’ll be getting the inc 4G, luv the size!

  6. Errol

    06/07/2012 at 8:08 pm

    Loved my Dinc 1, Love my Dinc 2. Picked up a Razr Maxx this week. Didn’t want to lose my unlimited data plan and got tired of waiting for the Dinc 4g.

    The Razr Maxx battery life is a killer feature. It will be hard to go back to a phone that doesn’t last as long.

    That said, I am having some trouble with bluetooth streaming from the Razr Maxx that I never experienced with my Dinc 1 or 2. Seems like the problem is related to 4g Moto phones as I see forum posts about this problem on the Razr and Bionic phones. Hopefully ICS will resolve the issue.

    Also, the Dinc 2 form factor feels great in my hand. I assume the similar sized Dinc 4g will have same feel. Razr Maxx doesn’t feel as good in the hand, it is slippery. Maybe I just need more time with it to get comfortable.

  7. Treg

    06/08/2012 at 9:05 am

    This author is either new at handset comparison or possibly an idiot.

    Calling a 1,700 mAh battery “tiny” is moronic. Saying the GS3 will “blow it out of the water” is childish.

    Your article is ridiculous, contains very little truth, just opinions.
    You need to do a little more hardware research, practice writing the facts. Take your emotions out of your writings and try it again, this arrival is just sad.

  8. Clif McGilvray

    06/13/2012 at 8:50 am

    I laughed my ass off this whole article. Everyone knows the Dincs have incredible dev support as the SG3 will. So really saying that processor speed and battery blows the Dinc 4G out of the water is retarded. My Dinc 1 can last 1.5 days on an old ass battery. It is smaller which believe it or not is its best selling point. You fail to realize that iOS6 is nothing new or groundbreaking. Android has been able to do what iOS6 will do since 2.3 which is ages ago. So really your argument is based on the SG3 is newer so its better. HTC Sense is probably the most welcomed overlay out of any, and with all the support for us MOD users out there the Dinc 4G will be an awesome phone. Not to mention it will only be about 100 dollars when it comes out. Failed to mention that part. It is already announced having a 50 dollar MIR so its either 150 or 100 out of the gate and if you have upgrades and discounts from employers that discounts it more.

  9. Losinghope

    06/14/2012 at 6:06 am

    Well this just blows…. A VZW store rep said that it most likely won’t be released until after the Galaxy S3, most likely in August.

    BY THAT TIME, the Google IO will have some new nexus announcements….so….. R.I.P. Inc4G

  10. vet2be1973

    06/14/2012 at 9:29 pm

    When I first heard about the DInc 4G LTE, it sounded awesome and I couldn’t wait for it to come out. Then came the information from tech sites about how Verizon souped it down and that the specs wouldn’t be close to what was originally reported. Now this. Between this debacle and the unbridled greed over their upcoming shared data plans, I will be dropping Verizon once my wife’s contract is up.

  11. GH

    06/16/2012 at 5:58 pm

    this writer sounds rediculous…makes me think i got a shot at getting published.
    sure not knowing when the release date is or how much it will cost sucks but not enough to not buy it out spite you child! the fact is, the qHD will no doubt be steller as all HTC displays are. I think ill live knowing that the S3 is clocked .3 higher and so to be CLEAR here….it’s the 4″ display that we are all impatiently waiting for. nobody interested in this phone likes trying to stuff a dinner plate in their pocket or needing two hands to make a call.

    the writer above makes the best point…i have been with VZW since it was US West cell, then Airtouch, now VZW..this greed over their data plans is similar to bank of America charging debit card fees…i anticipate a mass exodus..and if i dont find a phone to upgrade to by the 27th, im told i will lose my unlimited plan…that will no doubt be the time I finally leave VZW after all these years.

  12. Chris

    06/18/2012 at 9:55 am

    I actually don’t agree with all you said. I do agree that keeping silent was a mistake. However, there are many people who don’t want a massive phone like the Galaxy S III. In addition, though the battery is smaller, the slower processor will make up for that in terms of battery life. The power consumption profile on the MSM8960 is really where the power savings is coming from on both devices, and also on the new Moto phone you mentioned. They’re all going to be pretty comparable in terms of battery life and performance, unless you’re a die hard gamer and watch a lot of movies.

  13. TheGadgetMom

    06/20/2012 at 8:52 am

    I agree with everything you say in your article. Yet I still want this phone for 4 reasons:

    1inch + 1inch + 1inch + 1inch = 4inch display

    I want Android and I want a reasonably sized display. I hope they still release. It will be the only Android with flagship specs that doesn’t have a huge screen on any carrier. Not everyone wants the bigger phones. It’s good to have choice.

  14. Rob

    06/20/2012 at 7:48 pm

    I agree with most of these comments. I have been waiting for a while now. Getting annoyed but I am still going to get it. I was surprised when I heard the price was so low. I would still get it if it cost more. I had the rezound for about a week and got rid of it. It was just too big.

  15. Zeus

    06/21/2012 at 10:07 pm

    Completely agree. Former incredible user went to iPhone 4 and my contract is now up. Expected the incredible in May. Now June 21st and no word. Now I might as well wait for the new iPhone.

  16. ghstofperdition

    06/25/2012 at 5:22 am

    Im a tiny girly man who can’t fit anything over 4″ in my hand, and I need a dinc 4g.

    Lol

  17. Jack

    07/09/2012 at 9:00 am

    I recently “upgraded” from a Droid Incredible to a Motorola Razzr Maxx. I Hate it. I wish I had known about Incredible 4. Still may trade when it comes out. If it is like the original Incredible, it’s exactly what I want.

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