Some leaks on Verizon's Droid line refresh

[Bateluer]

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/02/09/2011-droid-lineup-makes-another-rumor-mill-appearance/

A bunch of information from our friends at Phandroid popped up late last night having to do with the DROID lineup of 2011 and it all helps confirm the stuff we told you about back in January. We first reported news that Incredible 2, DROID X2 and DROID 3 were all in the works, but we followed that up just a day later with news that the Inc2 would be a global device. We also received word that the DX2 could end up with a Tegra 2 in it and that one of the new DROIDs might be our next stock Google device. You’ve got to admit that seeing all of this information again is exciting to say the least.

Here are some extra tidbits that came out of this new report:

* Incredible 2: Will launch with a white back and silver rim, similar to what you are seeing in the photo above. Codename “Vevo” is something to look out for.
* DROID 3: Bigger 4″ qHD screen and a Q2 release.
* Samsung Stealth: Might be the name of Samsung’s 4G LTE device.

So not a ton of new stuff, but again, nice to see a confirmation on our earlier report. I will say that it would surprise me if Stealth ends up being the final name for the Samsung device. As far as I know, that has been the code name for quite some time and am expecting a last minute surprise with that device.

And just to recap the stuff we’ve heard:

* DROID X2: Possibly dual-core and was scheduled for May.
* Incredible 2: Was scheduled for March.
* DROID BIONIC: Was scheduled for May.

As soon as we have more, we’ll be sure to let you know!

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Just yesterday I decided I was going to stop waiting for a high end android phone with a keyboard and 4+" screen to replace my OG Droid. I was going to give in and buy the thunderbolt. Hmm.

 

[Castiel]

Droid X2 please

 

[destrekor]

Just yesterday I decided I was going to stop waiting for a high end android phone with a keyboard and 4+" screen to replace my OG Droid. I was going to give in and buy the thunderbolt. Hmm.

I've decided against requiring a hardware keyboard, in fact, I may even had a preference for no keyboard. I love my Droid 1, but... if it means the phone is thinner, and with less parts to potentially cause problems later, than awesome.

But hardware comes first, I'm going to want Tegra 2.. and my contract ends in April or May. So, around May or June, I'll probably just go with whatever is the best Droid at the time.

The biggest stipulation, and I hope I don't have to cave in and accept anything else, is an open bootloader, or at the least, none of this locked down bullshit.
And I'm still focusing on Motorola, have had a good experience, their high-end phones are built quite well too.

I really, really hope the Droid Bionic has an unlocked bootloader. But, I'm expecting Droid 3 or DX2 will receive the honors of "stock Google", which whatever phone is stock is most likely to not have a locked bootloader.

 

[Bateluer]

I feel your pain, I was seriously thinking about buying a Thunderbolt, provided the LTE pricing is acceptable. I would really prefer a dual core phone with a qHD or better screen. Thunderbolt will be awesome, but I'm trying to avoid some serious buyer's remorse.

 

[Strk]

I have a hard time believing you can put stock and Verizon in the same sentence, unless there's a "will not be" somewhere in between it.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I've decided against requiring a hardware keyboard, in fact, I may even had a preference for no keyboard. I love my Droid 1, but... if it means the phone is thinner, and with less parts to potentially cause problems later, than awesome.

But hardware comes first, I'm going to want Tegra 2.. and my contract ends in April or May. So, around May or June, I'll probably just go with whatever is the best Droid at the time.

The biggest stipulation, and I hope I don't have to cave in and accept anything else, is an open bootloader, or at the least, none of this locked down bullshit.
And I'm still focusing on Motorola, have had a good experience, their high-end phones are built quite well too.

I really, really hope the Droid Bionic has an unlocked bootloader. But, I'm expecting Droid 3 or DX2 will receive the honors of "stock Google", which whatever phone is stock is most likely to not have a locked bootloader.

Yeah an unlocked bootloader is a major issue for me as well. I think we are also getting to the point of diminishing returns for phone hardware. After playing with the fascinate at a verizon store a few months ago I wonder how much faster a phone can be than that.

 

[bucwylde23]

I can't wait til all these phones come out. I'd really like to upgrade from my Incredible to a phone with a larger screen/better battery life. I don't care about 4G since it will not be in my area for a long time.

 

[Strk]

Yeah an unlocked bootloader is a major issue for me as well. I think we are also getting to the point of diminishing returns for phone hardware. After playing with the fascinate at a verizon store a few months ago I wonder how much faster a phone can be than that.

I'd say that right now we're waiting more on software and batteries. Android suffers from too many hands (Google, phone manufacturers, carriers etc) when it comes to updates, yet some of them help out performance a lot.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I'd say that right now we're waiting more on software and batteries. Android suffers from too many hands (Google, phone manufacturers, carriers etc) when it comes to updates, yet some of them help out performance a lot.

Well more powerful processors vs battery life is a design choice. When they do a die shrink they can make the chip more powerful at the same power consumption or more efficient at the same performance level.

 

[boomhower]

The D3 sounds nice. The X2 should have Bionic like specs. Sounds good as long as they don't pull any more of this locked boot loader crap.

 

[Demo24]

Wouldn't the Bionic and X2 be sort of redundant devices considering they would be largely the same size?

Either way at the moment all I want is a 'nexi' phone of some sort on Verizon. I imagine one will be coming out for Tegra2 based phones, maybe Verizon will pick one up finally. I'm tired of waiting on manufacturer updates and I've stopped being all that interested in 3rd party roms as well.

 

[bucwylde23]

Wouldn't the Bionic and X2 be sort of redundant devices considering they would be largely the same size?

Either way at the moment all I want is a 'nexi' phone of some sort on Verizon. I imagine one will be coming out for Tegra2 based phones, maybe Verizon will pick one up finally. I'm tired of waiting on manufacturer updates and I've stopped being all that interested in 3rd party roms as well.

Yea but I think the X2 is just going to be 3G only right? That may be more likely the phone I'd get if I can avoid a 4G premium since I won't be able to use it anyways.

 

[Bateluer]

I'm definitely chomping on the bit for a new phone. Droid 1, for all its openness and ROM choices, is old. Yeah, it OCs to a Ghz easily and hangs with the Droid 2 and Droid X without a hitch, but its seriously old now.

I've been debating the Thunderbolt, as my city already has live LTE, but I might have to hold off until MWC.

 

[destrekor]

I'm definitely chomping on the bit for a new phone. Droid 1, for all its openness and ROM choices, is old. Yeah, it OCs to a Ghz easily and hangs with the Droid 2 and Droid X without a hitch, but its seriously old now.

I've been debating the Thunderbolt, as my city already has live LTE, but I might have to hold off until MWC.

I'm expecting to make the LTE jump, even when currently there is no LTE around to access.
But I'm betting on a few things here:
1) Toledo will probably get it within the next 1-2 years.
2) At the minimum, I'll be able to access it in Cincinnati during drill weekends.
3) I'm placing my bets on moving to either Columbus or Cinci once I return from training next September - or, at least, I'll move where the job is and I hope to get a job in one of those two metro areas.

Of course, if the gamble sours, here's to hoping Verizon doesn't demand 4G fees if you simply have a 4G phone - as in, you can have the cell radio but elect to not utilize it at all.

I seriously doubt Augusta will have LTE service this summer - it would be awesome to get an LTE phone immediately before leaving for training, or upgrading when I am down there, and having full access for the 4 months I'm down there... but I seriously doubt it, Toledo will probably have it before Augusta.

edit: I take that back. Looking at current news items, it does appear the Augusta metro region is slotted to be upgraded to LTE "in 2011". And they specifically mention Fort Gordon will be included in the coverage area - sweet. Then again, I could down in Georgia and back before "sometime in 2011" actually rolls around - here's to hoping it happens early summer. More excuses to get a 4G phone, exactly what I want.
Sadly, I cannot find any news regarding LTE in Toledo during 2011.

 

[Bateluer]

Latest TB release rumor is now 24 Feb. Some BB reps are claiming 14 Feb for a BB release, 24 Feb for VZW release. Just post a damn definite date, Big Red.

 

[Strk]

When Verizon says Q2, do they mean fiscal year or actual year?

 

[Phobic9]

When Verizon says Q2, do they mean fiscal year or actual year?

I'm inclined to say actual calendar year.

 

[Bateluer]

I'm inclined to say actual calendar year.

I don't think they know yet either.

They're waiting to see how many people get locked in on the year old iPhone 4, then exhaust the return window, before releasing any new Android phones.

 

[notposting]

If the D3 is stock with unlocked bootloader (and dual-core modern goodness) I'm sold. I'll keep the OGD around as a backup at that point.