HTC Merge Android Smartphone May Be Delayed for LTE Support

Verizon Wireless is supposed to get its own version of the T-Mobile G2 and HTC Desire Z in the form of the HTC Merge, but a tweet, from a source of unconfirmed reliability, has said that the keyboarded-Android smartphone may be delayed for launch on the U.S. carrier as HTC may want to swap out the 3G-only radio for 4G LTE.

According to Android Central, the HTC Merge prototype that the Android-centric blog had received seems to be near final build, and it’s unclear if the rumor is reliable. If true, the delay could push the Merge from shipping this holiday season to early 2011 when Verizon Wireless will unveil support for 4G LTE smartphones and devices. The carrier has said that the first devices to make use of its 4G network will be USB modems for laptops, which should still launch this year.

Source: Android Central