Now it’s official, the newest member of the Sprint 4G LTE family is set to hit store shelves next Sunday, August 19th. Motorola and Sprint announced the Photon Q 4G LTE a couple of weeks ago, but did not give us anything on a release date. The device will cost you about $199 on a new two-year contract, or $549 without a contract.
It’s been a little while since we talked about the Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE so let’s run down its’ specs real quick to refresh your memory. The Photon Q is coming with a beautiful 4.3-inch display using Motorola’s colorboost you’ll find in the Motorola Atrix HD over on AT&T. Powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and running Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich. Although I would have liked to see this launch with Jelly Bean, as I’m sure many of you would have too. The device also has dual cameras, an 8mp rear camera and a 1.3mp front camera for video chat and Google+ hangouts.
Who’s going to go and pre-order this device from Sprint? While it doesn’t have the Droid Razr Maxx sized battery it’s still a great phone with a beautiful display. But does anybody actually use a full physical keyboard anymore? If you’re looking for more information, we’ve got the full press release below for you.
Calling All QWERTY Fans! Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE from Sprint Available Aug. 19 for $199.99; Pre-Order Begins Today
Offering a device packed with features to provide the ideal work-life balance, Sprint (NYSE: S), the only national wireless carrier offering truly unlimited data for all phones while on the Sprint network1, today announced the Sunday, Aug. 19, availability of the first 4G LTE-enabled smartphone from Sprint with a full QWERTY keyboard and international roaming capabilities, Motorola PHOTONâ„¢ Qâ„¢ 4G LTE. Motorola PHOTON Q will cost $199.99 (excludes taxes) with a new line of service or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement.
Motorola PHOTON Q will be available for pre-order beginning today at www.sprint.com/photonq. Customers who pre-order Motorola PHOTON Q will begin receiving their smartphone as early as two days before the device goes on sale – while supplies last.
“At Sprint, we recognize there is a large group of our customers that love the ease of a physical QWERTY keyboard,” said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “By bringing a device like Motorola PHOTON Q into our portfolio, we are able to give these customers the option of a physical keyboard plus international roaming capabilities to stay connected while traveling abroad.”
Motorola PHOTON Q features a slide out PC-like QWERTY keyboard for double-thumb efficiency. Each laser-cut key is outlined in LED lights so users can see what they’re doing, even in the dark. It also has a dedicated number row for maximum typing efficiency and accuracy.
Combined with a large 4.3-inch ColorBoostâ„¢ display, Motorola PHOTON Q offers the largest screen currently available on a 4G LTE smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard. Its 8-megapiexal rear-facing camera with 1080p capture and playback along with an HD front-facing camera produce a high-quality multimedia experience that provides the perfect blend of business and pleasure with blazing speed on the Sprint 4G LTE network2.
Additional key features on Motorola PHOTON Q include:
1.5GHz dual-core processor
Androidâ„¢ 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich
ULE Platinum Certification, the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by UL Environment and Sprint
SMARTACTIONSâ„¢, the free Motorola app that helps extend battery life and intelligently automates routine, everyday tasks so that smartphones can do more for consumers
Mirror mode when connected with HDMI cable (sold separately) to view images, files and movies on a larger screen, like your TV at home
Sprint ID, offering an innovative way to personalize an Android-powered smartphone with apps, widgets, ringtones and more all, in a single download
NFC support to share links, apps, YouTubeâ„¢ clips and more with Android Beamâ„¢
Sprint Professional Grade designation making it business ready with full corporate security, including remote wipe, pin lock and data encryptionMotorola PHOTON Q customers can enjoy an unlimited data experience with Sprint Everything Data plans. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a savings of $20 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB web (excludes taxes and surcharges).
Customers across the country are beginning to benefit from Network Vision – an all-new network from Sprint, which offers enhanced 3G service – with a stronger wireless signal, faster data speeds, expanded coverage and better in-building performance – and 4G LTE, with faster data speeds for data applications.