Dell Thunder seen in rough prototype form

A pre-release hands-on with the upcoming Dell Thunder has uncovered some unique details beyond what's already been known. Engadget notes that the two prototypes it has both have unusual curved glass screens. The result is "gorgeous" and also has a unique effect that distorts the picture at extreme angles.

The panels are both average LCDs, but AMOLED testing apps suggest Dell will move on to the promised 4.1-inch AMOLED screen by the time the phone ships.

Network support is also a surprise. The testing code appears to support use on all North American and major international GSM frequencies. The second of the two phones makes mention of Qualcomm CDMA and also makes references to AWS, though it has yet to be clarified if these are separate references to Sprint/Verizon (CDMA) and T-Mobile (GSM) phones or to possible phones on CDMA carriers like Cricket that also use the AWS band.

One phone uses Android 2.1 and another uses Android 1.6. Notably absent on both, however, is the dedicated search button common to many Android phones.

Most of what's known about the inside shows a strong similarity to the just launched Streak, including a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM. Performance would be roughly on par with a Nexus One as a result. The most notable addition so far appears to be 802.11n Wi-Fi. More changes are expected as both prototypes were from April and have likely already seen extensive changes.

Based on the last available roadmap, Dell would ship the Thunder to AT&T sometime in the fall.

By Electronista Staff