And here we have Verizon’s first 4G LTE smartphone to show the other carrier what real 4G really is. The HTC ThunderBolt for Verizon has had a long-awaited arrival that kept VZW subscribers salivating. The ThunderBolt offers its users Android 2.2 w/ Sense UI, powered by a next-gen 1GHz Snapdragon processor, on a 4.3inch SuperLCD touchscreen w/ 800 x 480 resolution, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 8MP rear-facing camera w/ dual-LED flash + 720p HD video capture, 768MB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, 32GB microSD card included, and a 1400mAh battery. Keep reading to see how well the ThunderBolt stacks up against the competition.
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| HTC ThunderBolt 4G Speed Test |
How Fast Is It?
The 4G experience on the ThunderBolt is the stuff that makes EVO owners jealous. The LTE technology easily blazes past its 4G competitors of HSPA+ and WiMAX. If you read our review on the 4G LTE LG USB modem for Verizon then you already have an idea of what kind of speeds to expect and with the TBolt there was no difference. The ThunderBolt can easily reach speeds anywhere from 5Mbps to 20Mbps in a well-lit 4G area and share the love with its mobile hotspot feature as well. The TBolt along with VZW’s LTE network allows subscribers to enjoy your internet speeds you usually get at home but mobile.
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| ATRIX 4G Vs. ThunderBolt |
On a speed test, the TBolt was getting about 20Mbps download and 19Mbps upload speeds. That’s some real horsepower right there. We compared the ThunderBolt against the dual-core Motorola ATRIX 4G for AT&T and couldn’t keep up in the speed department as the ATRIX was only getting around 4Mbps download and 2Mpbs upload speeds. We also tested the browser speed by loading up a page on the ATRIX, iPhone 4, and ThunderBolt to see who was the fastest. You can watch the video below for our results.
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| HTC ThunderBolt Extended 2750 mAh Battery & Cover |
How’s The Battery Life?
In one word. Horrible. The 4G speeds on the ThunderBolt acts as a double-edge sword to its battery life. It definitely won’t last you the whole day if you listen to a lot of music, downloading/streaming media, browsing, etc. Our standard run through of it got us to almost 5 hours before having to run for a charger. It is our TGSB suggestion that anyone looking to purchase, don’t allow the battery life to deter you. This problem can be rectified by purchasing the extended 2750mAh battery which double the juice on the TBolt. The bigger battery can be picked in store or online for about $50 but be aware that it adds some bulk to the device as it creates a hump in between the kickstand and camera. There are now apps and a workaround to cut off the 4G to spare the battery some extra life as an alternative in case you need it.
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| ThunderBolt 8MP sample shots |
Camera
The 8MP camera lens on the ThunderBolt definitely compliments the phone as it is capable of some quality shots. The TBolt uses a tap-to-focus feature to focus in on certain areas/object in your shutter space. This along with its auto-focus works great on the 4.3inch display as it has a fast reaction time to make sure no precious or goofy moment is lost. Coupled with a dual-LED flash to provide great lighting for dim environments, you may just leave your digital camera (not DSLR of course) at home for certain events. The 8MP lens is also capable of recording stellar video in 720p HD seamless and without a hiccup in video or audio. The 1.3MP front-facing camera is adequate enough for funny faces, act as a mirror, and the standard video chat using one of the many Android apps like Qik, Fring, Tango, etc.
The TG 2 Cents
The overall experience of the ThunderBolt was a definitely a great one. At first glance most naysayers would just call it a Verizon EVO but after comparing the two, it’s what the EVO should have been. I would have loved to have seen the TBolt with a higher resolution display as Apple raised the bar with the iPhone 4 and its Retina Display (which is 960 x 640 resolution) but the 800 x 480 resolution on the SuperLCD screen still looks amazing. Even if the TBolt was a 3G device, it still outperforms its counterparts: the HTC Inspire 4G and the EVO 4G. The 4G LTE network for Verizon is a true beast by offering speeds people have been waiting for. The TBolt and the network together are unstoppable, other than that price of $249.99. But it shows, good things come to those who wait as Amazon now has it for $129.99 w/ two-year contract. Keep that in mind as the DROID Charge launches this week for $299.99 on contract.
Thanks Curtis & Jarnet!
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