Sprint would get Android HD2 with 4G

Sprint is reading an ultimate Android smartphone that it hopes would draw attention to its network, a leak late Sunday hints. Nicknamed "Supersonic," the HTC device is expected to be similar in spirit to the HD2, including its very large 4.3-inch touchscreen. The Engadget contact notes it would run Android 2.1, however, and would be one of Sprint's first phones with WiMAX, beating other US carriers to having the first 4G phone in the country.

It would still run the 1GHz Snapdragon and Sense UI of its Windows Mobile counterpart but may come in different colors and would have a kickstand on the back for watching videos, much like the Imagio. A digital TV tuner isn't expected.

The firmware is currently described as buggy and thus unlikely to lead to a production phone in the immediate future. If it continues to use Android 2.1, it may show at the spring CTIA show in late March, which is often home to US-specific phone unveilings.

News of the phone comes at a critical point for Sprint, as it currently lacks a true "halo" phone after the Palm Pre failed to at least initially drive Sprint's sales and prevent customer from leaving for the iPhone or other flagships. The company already has the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment providing Android but has relatively little attention compared to the Motorola Droid at Verizon or T-Mobile's version of the Nexus One.

By Electronista Staff