Sprint is ready to offer the Motorola Photon Q LTE smartphone on Aug 19, with pre-orders starting now. The Android 4.0 handset with 5-row keyboard will cost $ 199.99 with a two-year contract or $ 549.99 with no contract. With support for LTE, the Photon Q is another smartphone that’s ready to use Sprint’s new 4G network, now rolling out in limited markets, and will fall back on the carrier’s existing 3G signals in areas without LTE coverage.
Few, if any, of the phone’s capabilities should surprise as the information was leaked out last month. Here’s a recap of what the Photon Q LTE 4G offers in terms of hardware and software:
- Google Android 4.0.4
- 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
- A five-row, slide-out QWERTY keyboard with LED outlined keys
- 4.3-inch qHD (540 x 960 resolution) Colorboost display
- 8 GB internal storage, microSD card expansion slot, 1 GB of RAM
- 8 megapixel rear camera with 1080p video capture; front facing camera for video chat
- GPS; NFC; Bluetooth 4.0; 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- World phone capabilities with support for CDMA, EVDO, GSM and LTE
What stands out from the new handset, then? Those who don’t mind a slightly bulkier device thanks to the QWERTY keyboard will likely consider the Photon Q 4G LTE. These “laser-cut keys” outlined in LED lights are one differentiator and the ability to use the handset as a world phone could also appeal. And the SmartActions software, shown in the video below, can help make the smartphone smarter with customized and canned options that are triggered by specific events.
Add in Sprint’s unlimited data plans with the new smartphone and the new Photon could help Sprint retain or convert more of the old Nextel customers ready for a more modern handset.
