Just last week we reported that the HTC One was making its way over to Verizon, it just would be late to the party. Unfortunately we spoke too soon – HTC now confirms that they aren’t bringing their only flagship of the year to Verizon.

HTC USA sent out the above tweet, making it clear that they don’t have any Verizon network plans, and encouraging Verizon users to give the HTC Droid DNA a try instead. While the Droid DNA isn’t a pushover, it isn’t nearly as capable or as sexy as the HTC One, nice try though HTC.

You have to wonder what caused this. After all, Verizon is pretty much the biggest U.S. Carrier, so why not push your flagship there? We may never know the official reason, but it likely either had to do with the other big carriers or with Verizon itself.

Perhaps Verizon felt that bringing out the HTC One would destroy sales and interest in the Droid DNA, or maybe other carriers like AT&T raised a fuss about how Verizon already got a 1080p smartphone from HTC and that it was best for other carriers that Big Red sit this one out.

Regardless of what led to the decision, it has to be more than a little disappointing for long-time HTC fans that happen to be locked into Verizon for whatever reason. Verizon HTC fans out there: what do you think of this announcement, will you go with the HTC Droid DNA, jump ship to another carrier or even consider jumping ship from HTC altogether? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

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When HTC announced that their One will be the only One from them for this year, many wondered which HTC handset was headed to Verizon. Now, a handset which has stopped by Bluetooth SIG will most probably be launched on Big Red sometime in the near future and it’s speculated to be having many of the same specs and features as that of the One.

The device with model number HTC6445LVW could be the previously leaked HTC DLXPLUS thought to be headed to Verizon. The HTC Droid DNA, which was once codenamed HTC DLX, came under the model number HTC6435LVW (VW stands for Verizon Wireless by the way). So it’s pretty safe to assume that 6445 could be the next in line.

Earlier rumors suggest the DLXPLUS to be coming equipped with a 4.7″ 1080p FHD display, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2.1MP front cam, 13MP rear shooter, and running Jelly Bean. If it’s coming with these specs, it’s indeed a variant of the HTC One.

So we might see Verizon’s version of the One sometime soon, though most probably with a different name and maybe a few differences in specs. DROID DNA Plus? Or maybe some other name? We won’t certainly have to wait too long to know about the upcoming handset. As always we will keep you updated, so stay tuned.

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There’s been quite a few rumors circling round the soon-to-be 2013 flagship from HTC this year, and once again we’ve got hold of some possible yet not definitely certain dates for the HTC M7. According to these rumors, the M7 will be released on AT&T, Sprint and T-mobile in the US first, although strangely enough Verizon has not been included in this list– perhaps because of the current presence of the HTC Droid DNA.

Regardless of what mobile carriers will support the M7, HTC have planned for a press event on February 19^th, and details of the HTC M7 will most probably be revealed then. We’ll also be able to find out more about carrier specifics, and whether the HTC will make it into other regions any time soon.

As far as we know, the HTC M7 could see a release as early as March 8^th. Are you looking forward to the HTC M7? Or do you think the Droid DNA will be suffice for at least a few more months to come?

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Live in the US and wish you could get a hold of the HTC Droid DNA without having to sign up with Verizon? Your wish might soon be coming true. It seems that the HTC M7 is heading to CES, or so rumors say.

The M7 is believed to be the GSM version of the Droid DNA, and according to well-known leaker Football4PDA it will debut at CES.

This sounds a bit unlikely, since most HTC announcements of this nature wait until MWC, but HTC could be trying to upstage other high-end devices that will likely be shown at MWC by beating them to the punch.

The famed leaker also suggests the HTC M7 will have software buttons, not capacitive. So what do you think, if HTC does in fact unveil the M7 in a few days and it within a few months, would you consider it?

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With most smartphone owners looking for large screen devices, there have become quite a few great choices. In the 5-inch and higher category, the two most tempting devices on the market are likely going to be the HTC Droid DNA and Samsung Galaxy Note 2. So which should you get?

Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure. If you are in to power and want the device that looks the best on paper, you’ll find these two phones perform quite similarly when it comes down to it.

The biggest reasons to get a Droid DNA are the following:

• You want a 5-inch screen in as small a package as possible
• The 1080p screen resolution is important to you.
• You are a fan of the Droid series
• A lighter device is appealing to you.
• It doesn’t bother you that the device can’t expand through SD.

As for the Galaxy Note 2? It’s all about the “phablet features”:

• You want MASSIVE screen, and don’t mind the bulk.
• The Note 2 has the S-Pen and all the special features that come with it.
• You want full expandability and multiple storage configuration sizes.
• You want carrier options besides just Verizon, since Note 2 is available on multiple carriers.

There are other reasons, but the bottom-line is that you get they have a lot of similarities on paper when it comes to processing power and RAM. The biggest differences are expandability, screen size, the stylus and overall dimensions.

We aren’t going to compare each and every category, but instead we’ll simply say, they both have a lot to offer and neither is really the “better choice”, it’s about what fits into what you are looking for. Sometimes a video just tells the story better than words ever can. Pocket Now has an excellent “VS” video that is worth checking out.

So what do you think, are you interested in the Note 2 or the Droid DNA?

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The HTC Droid DNA represents a big change in the smartphone world. It is the first 1080p smartphone and has tons of power under the hood, making it one of the hottest smartphones around. Unfortunately, it also is an exclusive to only one network – Verizon – and is locked down thanks to its bootloader. Or is it?

The good news is that the folks behind the popular Android site “Android Police” and the talents at RootzWiki have now found a way to open things up a bit more. The idea is that you have to modify the device so it appears as an unbranded phone, and thus will allow it to work just fine with HTC’s official bootloader unlocking tool.

This is excellent news since it now makes an already attractive smartphone even better. Now that you can in fact unlock the HTC Droid DNA, are you tempted to pick up this 5-inch smartphone from Verizon?

For a guide on getting the Droid DNA unlocked, check out the source link.

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The post HTC Droid DNA Bootloader is Now Unlockable After All appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The HTC Droid DNA has now arrived to Verizon as the first 1080p smartphone in the United States. The phone is available for $199 with a two-year contract or will set you back $599 without contract.

Right now, the arguably two hottest Android devices in town are the LG Nexus 4 and the HTC Droid DNA. So which device should you choose? First, if you are currently locked into Verizon for whatever reason (perhaps reception only works with the carrier, etc), you don’t have much choice, as the Nexus 4 isn’t available through the Big Red carrier.

Second, it really depends on what you are looking for. Verizon and HTC worked together to lock the HTC Droid DNA down tighter than Fort Knox. Sure, it will likely end up with a hack present thanks to efforts from the XDA Developers out there, but it will also be pain. In contrast, the LG Nexus 4 gets the latest and greatest versions of Android while being a totally open, vanilla experience that is welcoming and inviting for developers and modders.

Outside of carrier and modding preference, what about their hardware? On paper, how do the two devices differ?

Processor & RAM
The processors in both handsets run are 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pros, with 2GB of RAM. This means they are pretty tied here, at least on paper. There are certain factors like vanilla Android, custom software and many other factors that could make performance turn out differently.

Display
The 5-inch HTC Droid DNA really signs here with its impressive 441ppi display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The Nexus 4 is a 4.7-inch phone and has a pretty decent 1280 x 768 display with 318ppi, but on paper it’s clear that the LG Nexus 4 is blown away by the Droid DNA.

Storage Capacity
While the LG Nexus 4 and HTC Droid DNA are both hot devices right now, they also have a shared weakness: storage space. Neither phone has expandable memory through microSD, and the Droid DNA only comes with 16GB of storage, while the Nexus 4 is available in 8 or 16GB models.

Camera
The Droid DNA has 8MP rear cam with autofocus, simultaneous HD video and image recording, 1080p video capture and LED flash. The LG Nexus 4 also has an 8MP rear cam with autofocus, LED flash and 1080p capture, and has support for the new PhotoSphere feature.

As for front cams? The Droid DNA has a 2.1MP front cam. The LG Nexus 4 has a 1.3MP front cam.

Battery
The Droid DNA not only has a smaller battery at 2020mAh versus the 2100 mAh in the Nexus 4, it also DOES have 4G LTE which means that the Droid DNA is going to suck through this thing relatively quickly I’d wager. Keep in mind that’s just speculation at this point.

It’s worth mentioning that both batteries are non-removable types.

Operating System
No beating around the bush here. If you care about having the latest version of Android without worrying about a bunch of modding (which the HTC Droid DNA is currently locked out from anyhow), go with the LG Nexus 4.

The Nexus experience means you get Android 4.2 Jelly Bean now and are pretty much guaranteed first dibs on all the latest and greatest updates of Android going forward over the next several years.

With the HTC Droid DNA you get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the HTC Sense UI 4+ and ALL the bloatware that comes with. If you want a pure Android experience with quick upgrades, there just isn’t a comparison here.

Connectivity
Both handsets are armed and ready when it comes to NFC support, but it is worth noting that the HTC Droid DNA has 4G LTE, while the LG Nexus 4 does. If you absolutely need 4G LTE, you might want to strongly consider the HTC Droid DNA.

Then again, not everyone has LTE access in their area, so it might not be that big of a deal breaker.

Weight and Overall Dimensions

The Droid DNA is 141mm x 70.5mm x 9.7mm and weighs 138g. As for the LG Nexus 4? It measures 133.9mm x 68.7mm x 9.1mm and is 1 gram heavier at 139g. Pretty close here, honestly. Sure, the HTC Droid DNA is bigger, but they weigh about the same really.

Pricing

Honestly, the LG Nexus 4 is an amazing deal from a price point of view. You get a top-notch quad-core smartphone and yet you only pay $299 with no contract for the 8GB model, or $349 for the 16GB variant.

Next to the LG Nexus 4, the HTC Droid DNA seems pretty overpriced. Keep in mind, it really isn’t, but Google’s pricing with the LG Nexus 4 makes ALL handsets look overpriced in comparison. So how much for the DNA? It’s $199 with a two year contract, or $599 outright.

Conclusion

I’m sure I’m missing at least one or two key comparison points here, but I think this gives everyone a pretty good idea of how they compare – on paper. The truth is that it’s hard to say when judging by paper, and even then factors like design preference play a big role in most consumer’s decisions. The big takeaway is that they are pretty close from a spec point of view.

LG Nexus 4 is stronger when it comes to the pure Android experience, unlocked nature and the extremely aggressive pricing.

The HTC Droid DNA has a great screen and overall comparable specs. There are also Verizon “Droid” fans out there, and this will likely appeal to them.

So what do you think, are you interested in the HTC Droid DNA or does the LG Nexus 4 lure you in with its pure and unlocked Android experience?  Of course, you have many other options.

The post LG Nexus 4 vs. HTC Droid DNA: The First 1080p Smartphone appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The 1080p smartphone revolution has begun. Oppo, Sharp and HTC are among some of the first to jump in with 1080p 5-inch smartphone. HTC even managed to unveil the first US-bound 1080p smartphone, the HTC Droid DNA. Apparently, things are about to get even more crowded as Sony and even Lenovo prepare to jump into the fray as well.

The Lenovo 1080p smartphone’s actual looks remain a mystery, though a few screenshots from Lenovo’s customized Android UI have been leaked. We don’t know the actual screen size, as a source reporting to Engadget would only say it has a screen size between 4.5 and 5.5-inches. Considering all the existing 1080p displays were are aware of are 5-inch, it’s pretty easy to take a guess here. The new Lenovo phone also sports dual-SIM connectivity, which is pretty common with many Chinese smartphones out there.

Not much else is known about the new Lenovo 1080p phone, though more than likely it will be Chinese (and perhaps Asian) market only. While Lenovo does reasonably well selling PCs and tablets in the United States and other markets, it seems to keep its phone efforts close to home.

Are you eager to get your hands on an 1080p smartphone of your own? Perhaps you are leaning towards the HTC Droid DNA?

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The post Lenovo 1080p Smartphone in the Works appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

After the HTC J Butterfly emerged from Japan and arrived in the US as the Droid DNA, it is once again getting reborn as the HTC Deluxe for the international market. The core specs inside this “new” superphone will be the same as its Japanese and American counterparts. That means you still get a 1080p 5-inch full HD display (440ppi) and a quad-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. Other features include Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, HTC Sense 4+, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage (no card slot), Bluetooth, NFC, a front-facing 2.1MP ultra wide camera, and a rear 8MP f/2.0 camera. What’s unclear is whether or not this phone will have LTE, especially seeing how the international-friendly Nexus 4 doesn’t do the 4G LTE thing either.

Since this is just a leak, we don’t have any information on pricing or availability yet, so it is unclear which international markets (and carriers) will pick up the HTC Deluxe. I sure hope it comes to Canada.

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The post HTC Deluxe Leaked, International Version of Droid DNA Smartphone appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

While this isn’t going to come as a surprise to many of us, HTC and Verizon held their press event to today and unveiled none other than the HTC Droid DNA. For those that don’t know, this is essentially the US version of the HTC J Butterfly.

So the announcement wasn’t a surprise, is anything else related to the new HTC phablet a shocker? Not really, it seems pretty on par with the J Butterfly. Here are the official specs and features on the HTC Droid DNA:

• 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 16GB of storage
• 5-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1090 resolution and Gorilla Glass 2
• microSD
• 8MP camera, 2.1MP front cam
• 4G LTE support
• 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band, Wifi, GPS
• Bluetooth, NFC
• Mobile hotspot support
• microUSB
• 2020mAh battery
• Beats audio support
• wireless charging support
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean running with HTC Sense 4+
• Size: 143 x 71 x 9.1mm
• Weight: 140g

As you can see, this phone is a beast with its quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 1080p 5-inch screen. Large phones like this aren’t for everyone, and HTC Sense might be a turn off for some– that said, if you are looking for a massively powerful phablet, this is certainly the most powerful you’ll find at least for now.

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