The HTC Merge is one of the most-leaked smartphones in recent memory, thanks in part to the fact that although we first learned about it back in August 2010, the device still hasn't been released on Verizon. That may finally be changing soon, though, as the evidence of an imminent VZW Merge launch continues to grow. Today we've got some fresh press images of the Merge sporting a Verizon tattoo, which just so happens to go well with its red search button and earpiece.

Obviously, there's still no official availability info available for Big Red's flavor of the Merge, but one would expect Verizon to announce the device fairly soon now that both Alltel and Cellular South have already done so. I just hope that VZW can price the Merge aggressively because, while it's still a nice handset, it may have lost a bit of its luster thanks to the arrival of devices like the DROID 2 Global and Thunderbolt.

Via Pocketnow