HTC Merge is the first Android based CDMA world phone for U.S. by HTC. On the other side, it is a World Phone having dual-mode CDMA/GSM functionality, uses HTC Sense and has a sliding keyboard similar to the T-Mobile G2.
HTC Merge comes with Android 2.2 Froy OS skinned with HTC’s Sense UI, runs on a 800 MHz ARM 8 Cortex processor, sporting a 3.8 inches touch screen, equipped with full-sliding QWERTY keyboard, 5 Megapixels camera with 720p HD video capturing capability and autofocus, 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, Facebook integration, Google Maps, Android Market, Accelerometer, proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor and the whole host of Google & HTC services.
The dual-mode technology allows the smartphone to run on the CDMA network domestically and then automatically switch over to the GSM network when traveling overseas and it comes with a rest of the Earth-friendly SIM card slot.
Full Technical Specifications Of HTC Merge*
| Network | |
| 3G Network | HSDPA/UMTS 900, 2100 MHz CDMA 1xEV-DO rev.0 (Verizon) |
| 2G Network | GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz CDMA 800, 9100 MHz (Verizon, Sprint) |
| Form Factor | Side-Slider |
| Dimensions | |
| H x W x D | (4.75 x 2.4 x .54) in |
| Weight | 195 grams |
| Display | |
| Type | Super-LCD Capacitive touchscreen |
| Size | 3.8 inch |
| Colors & Resolution | 16 Million Colors & 800×480 Pixels WVGA |
| Input/ User Interface | |
| Input | QWERTY keyboard Multi Touch HTC Sense UI Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate Proximity sensor for auto turn-off |
| System Properties | |
| Operating System | Android 2.2 Froyo OS |
| CPU | 800 MHz ARM 8 Cortex processor 363MB RAM |
| Memory Storage | |
| Internal Memory | — |
| Memory Expansion | micro-SD card slot for up to 32GB |
| Browser & Messaging | HTML SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email and IM |
| Camera | |
| Still | – 5 Megapixels – 2592 x 1944 pixels – LED Flash, Auto Focus, Geo-tagging, Face detection -Built-in scenes include candlelight, landscape |
| Secondary | No |
| Video Recording Capability | – 720p HD video recording capability – 1280×720 Pixels |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth & USB | Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP & v2.0 micro USB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Headset | 3.5mm stereo headset jack |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| 3G | HSDPA Up to 7.2 Mbps download speed HSUPA Up to 2 Mbps upload speed Rev A. Up to 3.2 Mbps (CDMA) |
| EDGE | Up to 114 kbps downloading |
| GPRS | Up to 560 kbps downloading |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio with RDS |
| Music & Video | |
| Music Format | MP3, WMA, M4A & M4B |
| Video Format | MPEG4, 3GP, 3G2, WMV9 & WMV |
| Battery | |
| Type | Li-Ion 1400mAh Standard battery |
| Talk Time | Up to 330 mins |
| Standby Time | Up to 6.3 hours |
| Other Features | Adobe 10.1 Flash compatibility Facebook integration Android Market, G-mail, Google Maps, G-Talk Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa Quickoffice, Digital compass |
| Colors | Black |
* Preliminary specifications are subject to change and edit.
Price & Availability
HTC will release its first Android-based CDMA world phone HTC Merge with multiple North American carriers this spring.
HTC Merge is now available for the pre-order by the Alltel (hit the link), pricing at $124.99 after a $50 rebate on a 2-year contract with the carrier.
Woot! I can’t wait! Have been waiting for a smartphone like this since forever. I don’t care if it’s 3G or 4G, I will be buying it. Who needs the Thunderbolt?