Phone may be GSM only

Verizon may have given up an opportunity to sell Google's HTC Nexus One, yet another leak hints tonight. While echoing what Electronista has heard about T-Mobile as the primary carrier, MediaMemo adds that Verizon has supposedly turned down the Android phone and led to Google's decision to drop plans of its own for a CDMA version. It's not known if this precludes a carrier-attached CDMA version versus the unlocked model suggested so far.

Verizon has less incentive to sell the Nexus One as it already has an Android flagship, the Droid.

The same source also elaborates on how the phone will be sold. While T-Mobile has agreed to partner for the phone, it's primarily focused on distributing and providing support where the phone will remain unsubsidized. Eventually, Google would hope to virtually reverse the traditional cellphone buying model and would get customers buying the phone first and picking a provider afterwards, through a menu.

Also, it's believed Google had a direct hand in shaping the design of the phone, although past stories have suggested Google won't try to take complete control of the branding.

The Nexus One is poised to launch as early as January but should be relatively expensive due to its unsubsidized price: it's due to have an OLED touchscreen, 3G, a 5-megapixel camera and a quick 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

By Electronista Staff