HTC's been around this block before -- the LTE one, that is. Back in March, the assembler was the first to hold Verizon's hand as it tested the 4G waters with the Thunderbolt. That launch may have been fumbled (see: hotspot cycling and 3G connectivity for starters) and the device plagued by battery issues, but as far as head starts go, Big Red got a big leap. Now the time has come for AT&T to play catch-up, shedding its reliance on an HSPA+ faux-G crutch and shifting over to LTE cell phone speeds.



To do this, the carrier's enlisted HTC's veteran expertise, taking start of its 700MHz technique and gift the maker a redemption song of sorts. This round two redux takes the form of the Vivid: an all-black, metal-backed unassuming plastic slab that houses a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and 8 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash under a 4.5-inch qHD display. Impressive as its specs may be, AT&T's not betting the entire farm on this phone and is trotting out the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket equal with to take on the burden. But for a device once codenamed the Holiday, its battle for consumers' heedfulness and disposable dollars could prove to be all but leisurely. Will LTE history and its battery draining missteps repeat themselves? Can AT&T get a leg up on its first place war with this $199 device? And is the allure of "true" 4G even worth your hard-earned dollars? Follow us after the break as we find out.

Continue reading HTC Vivid review

HTC Vivid review first appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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