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Verizon Wireless last week very quietly began selling the Motorola Droid 2 Global, a faster device than its predecessor and one that works around the world, for $199.99 with a two-year contract.
Like the Motorola Droid 2 Verizon began selling in August, the Droid 2 Global is based on Android 2.2, sports a 3.7-inch, 480-by-854 WVGA resolution screen, 5 MP camera.
Both handsets sport the same dimensions and weigh 6 ounces. However, Droid 2 Global offers some improvements over the Droid 2 inside.
Perhaps most notable is the Global’s speed. Droid 2 was powered by a 1 GHz processor, but the Droid 2 Global is powered by a 1.2 GHz processor.
The Droid 2 is geared for U.S. networks, but the Droid 2 Global is equipped with quad-band GSM global roaming.
That means it runs on both Verizon’s usual CDMA networks and GSM networks, a departure from Verizon’s basic CDMA support in the U.S. Thanks to this, users will be able to use the phone in over 200 countries.
In that respect, Droid 2 Global matches the just-launched Motorola Droid Pro, which also supports CDMA and GSM networks.
Motorola also said the Droid 2 Global’s keyboard has been slightly refined over the Droid 2 with an “improved tactile response.”
Interestingly, about the only noticeable upshot to the U.S.-based Droid 2 is the battery life.
Even though the Droid 2 Global uses a 1420 mAh battery to the Droid 2’s 1400 mAh power supply, the Droid 2 whips the Global with 9.6 hours of talk time to 8.3 hours for the Global. That’s 13.1 days of standby time for the Droid 2 to 9.6 days for the Global.
Chalk that up to the Global’s more powerful processor draining juice quicker than its predecessor.
Other similarities between the devices include integrated Google, Exchange, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter contacts; push e-ail support for Gmail, Exchange and Yahoo, among other perks.
Verizon began selling the Droid 2 for $199.99 with a contract but has since slashed that price to $149.99 to get the devices out the door to clear room for the Droid Pro and Droid 2 Global.
Motorola, which has seen its fortunes rise on the Droid lineup and Android gadgets other carriers offer, hopes the new devices will pad its profits even more heading into 2011.