Verizon Wireless and HTC are bringing their first successful Droid-branded phone back for an encore in the form of the Droid Incredible 2 by HTC, which the carrier will launch April 28 for $199.99.
Verizon launched the first Droid Incredible, a thin device powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and the Android 2.1 operating system, in April 2010.
The handset, which has a 3.7-inch touch-screen display and HTC Sense user interface, sold hundreds of thousands of units as the second Droid-branded smartphone to the inaugural Motorola Droid launch in November 2009.
HTC’s Droid Incredible 2 also features a 1GHz Snapdragon chip and the HTC Sense UI, but runs Android 2.2 platform and a new 4-inch super LCD display.
The smartphone also includes Verizon’s 3G Mobile Hotspot application, which can bring Web connectivity for up to five WiFi-enabled devices for $20 extra month.
The handset is also “global-ready,” meaning customers can use wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries.
Other features worth mentioning: an 8-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash, which has become a standard among high-end Android handsets; 1.3MP front-facing camera to allow video chat; 720p high-definition video capture; Adobe Flash support; automatic face detection for better photo-snapping; and noise-cancellation technology.
Verizon Wireless customers who purchase DROID Incredible 2 by HTC will need to purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package for $39.99 and $29.99 per month, respectively.
The Droid Incredible 2 comes as Verizon is on a smartphone-launching kick.
The carrier, which enjoyed a successful iPhone 4 debut in January, launched the HTC Thunderbolt smartphone March 17. As Verizon’s first 4G smartphone, the device was a success, selling more than 260,000 units.
Verizon is also undertaking the risky move of unveiling the Droid Incredible 2 the same day it sells the Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.2 handset.
However, there should be enough differences to keep the phones from cannibalizing each other in the market. TheDroid Charge is, like the Thunderbolt, a 4G smartphone, and retails for a high $299.99 starting price with contract. At $100 less, the Droid Incredible 2 will have its share of buyers.
Verizon also moved to make room for the two new Droids by selling the Thunderbolt for $129.99 (down from $249.99) through Amazon Wireless.