Verizon LTE HTC Thunderbolt to Challenge Sprint’s EVO 4G

The Verizon Wireless HTC Thunderbolt, a 4G LTE smartphone that has been leaking out on the Internet, will be among the carrier’s first 4G LTE Android smartphone and will present a challenger to HTC’s EVO 4G on rival Sprint’s network.

Like the HTC EVO 4G, the Thunderbolt will have a 4.3-inch display, 8-megapixel camera, front-facing camera, and kickstand. The device unfortunately won’t come equipped with a dual-core CPU, but may come with virtual surround sound technology. Android-centric blog Droid-Life had received a number of images of the HTC Thunderbolt for those who are looking at the next generation of 4.3-inch devices, which thus far include the Motorola Droid X, HTC HD2, HTC HD7, and Sprint EVO 4G in the U.S.

Like the HTC EVO 4G on Sprint, the HTC Thunderbolt will be a 4G handset that will be running Android. Rather than using WiMax, however, the Thunderbolt will be a Verizon 4G LTE device. The carrier will be announcing a number of 4G LTE devices at CES in January, and the HTC Thunderbolt is expected to be among the first there.