We know that Verizon is planning to showcase six LTE-capable handsets and tablets at CES 2011, but a new rumor suggests that we won't be seeing any LTE phones before then. We've heard that an 4G-ready HTC Merge "might" be released this year, but now the folks at Droid-Life have heard from a tipster that Verizon has no plans to launch any major LTE products this year. Don't be too discouraged by this news, though, because the source also said that HTC, LG, and Samsung all have devices that are ready to launch next year. Motorola is rumored to be prepping an LTE product, too, but the source couldn't confirm that bit of info.
While this news is a bit disappointing, we have to remember that it's not like there was much of a chance that there would be any LTE phones this year, anyway. The only ones that had any sort of shot were the Merge and the Mecha/Incredible HD, and even then, the odds of those arriving in 2010 were slim at best. Speaking of Verizon 4G, Big Red said earlier this year that they would have 38 markets lit up with LTE by the end of the year, and their time is starting to run out. It makes one wonder when they do plan on flipping the switch, and if they might have to delay the launch by just a bit.
Via Droid-Life