Thunder Struck!

Verizon Wireless has just released its first phone to run on the powerful 4G LTE network: the HTC ThunderBolt. Powered by a 1 GHz processor, the ThunderBolt allows you to talk, text, and surf at the same time on the nation’s largest 4G network. With fully customizable features, the ability to stream content wirelessly, and access to the Android Market,  HTC has created a device that will compete with the iPhone. On the outside, the ThunderBolt features a 4.3″ capacitive touch screen (480 x 800 WVGA display), 8 MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front camera, and four buttons (Home, Menu, Back, and Search). It also has the ability for HD capture and supports several audio and video formats. Under the hood, the ThunderBolt runs on the Android 2.2 OS with HTC Sense 2.0. Additionally, it also boasts Bluetooth support, an HTML browser with Adobe Flash Player 10.1, and audio support for most popular media formats.

Positives:

• Fast speeds coupled with app support (SpeedTest.net Results: 3G Coverage – Download: 1350 kbps, Upload: 933 kbps, Ping: 128ms)
• Flash support
• Surround sound – loud and clear even at high volume levels
• Mobile HotSpot (Tested speed: 1 user – 54.0 Mbps)
• Kickstand is perfect for watching videos and listening to music on a flat surface
• Made to run Google and GMail
• Friend Stream allows you to sync your Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter accounts
• Sturdy build

Negatives:

• Questionable battery life
• Speaker is located under the kickstand and sounds muffled when the kickstand isn’t out
• Charging port is located in a spot that does not allow you to charge the device while it is sitting horizontally on the kickstand
• Sturdy build can also be construed as heavy, and bulky (6.23 oz)
• Single core processor
• Display doesn’t match the iPhone 4’s Retina display

Verdict:

The ThunderBolt is destined to become HTC’s finest smartphone offered by Verizon Wireless and will sway customers who need Adobe Flash, Mobile HotSpot, and a media machine on the nation’s largest 4G network.