After earning itself a spot on the list of most frequently-leaked handsets in recent months, the HTC DROID DNA has finally been made officially official for Verizon. Fans of devices with huge screens on Verizon ought to be happy with the introduction of the DROID DNA, as it features a 5-inch Super LCD 3 display with a resolution of 1920x1080. Also on the DNA's face is a trio of capacitive navigation keys and a 2.1-megapixel camera, and flipping the handset around reveals an 8-megapixel shooter. Buried inside is a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Beats Audio and 4G LTE connectivity. A 2,020mAh battery will be powering the whole show, and the DROID DNA will also feature support for wireless charging when it comes time to get some more juice.

So when can you can your hands on one? The DROID DNA will launch on November 21 for $199.99 with a two-year contract, and pre-orders for the device kick off today. Expect it to come preloaded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and it'll also feature HTC's Sense 4+ overlay.

Considering that the DROID DNA has been floating around the rumor mill since April, the device likely won't come as much of a surprise to many Android fans. Still, it looks to be a pretty nice handset for Verizon customers, especially considering that the closest that Big Red had come to offering a high-end, One X-like phone up until today was the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. Just a as a reminder, we'll be teaming up with Verizon to do a live unboxing of the DROID DNA on Google+ on November 19, the day before it hits stores. So now that the DROID DNA and its 5-inch, 1080p display are official, who's buying?

DROID DNA by HTC Introduced as The Ultimate Smartphone -- Available Exclusively From Verizon Wireless

The first full HD 1080p display with the highest pixel density of any smartphone also features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE and HTC Sense 4+ with Android Jelly Bean

BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, and Verizon Wireless today announced the exclusive DROID DNA by HTC, the ultimate smartphone and the first with a full HD 1080p display. The DROID DNA by HTC will be available exclusively through Verizon Wireless through pre-order starting today and at retail stores nationwide Wednesday, November 21st.

"It's no secret that people depend on their smartphones more and more every day which rightfully raises expectations for performance, speed, and design.  The DROID DNA by HTC embodies a smartphone that pushes the envelope in all of these areas with the first true 1080p HD display, latest quad-core processor, and Verizon's 4G LTE network, all wrapped in a beautifully crafted design," said Jason Mackenzie, president, HTC Corporation. "The DROID DNA by HTC is sure to top wish lists this holiday season."

The Ultimate Smartphone

With technology rivaling the latest HD TV's, the DROID DNA by HTC is the first smartphone to feature a true 1080p HD super LCD 3 display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 protection.  It boasts an extraordinary 440 pixels per inch (PPI) on a 5-inch screen for unprecedented in-hand HD experiences that delivers the maximum pixel clarity available on a smartphone.

Designed to accentuate the incredible display, the deep black, soft-touch back is understated, with the exception of a metallic red camera bezel, while the red microgrill pattern of the sidewalls hint at the phone's DROID heritage and the power inside.  The beautifully crafted smartphone feels thinner than other devices of a similar size as the edges of the curved back taper to a mere 4mm for a comfortable feel in the hand or pocket.

The Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU and high-performance GPU, paired with America's largest 4G LTE network from Verizon Wireless and a full 2G of RAM  enable the seamless use of multiple apps simultaneously.  With HTC Sense® 4+ and Android™ 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), you get great software experiences including Google Now. HTC Sense 4+ offers a wealth of easy-to-use and customizable features bringing highly sought after personalization to your phone and placing the most important content front and center.  A series of intelligent features powered by HTC Sense 4+ also provides a number of improvements to the camera.

Amazing Camera

The DROID DNA by HTC has a world-class camera that delivers fast image capture, great images even in low-light and an easy interface to capture stills and video. With an 8-megapixel f/2.0 28mm wide-angle lens, 5-level automatic flash, backside illuminated sensor (BSI), and superfast autofocus, you'll capture amazing moments without the worry of missing a single one. Instead of choosing between photos and video, HTC VideoPic™ allows you to capture video and still images at the same time. And by simply holding the shutter button, Continuous Shooting takes multiple photos at up to four frames per second to catch all the action. 

It also includes a new best-in-class 2.1-megapixel, f/2.0, 88-degree, ultra-wide angle, front-facing camera that allows more to be captured in self-portraits, and up to four people for group shots. Auto Portrait makes it easier to take photos of yourself and your friends with automatic face detection and a countdown timer so you can focus on your pose and not the shutter button.  Capable of capturing 1080p HD video, the front-facing camera also provides a sharper picture during video chat.

Authentic Sound

The DROID DNA by HTC has a unique, 2.55-volt, built-in headset amplifier and dedicated amp for the external rear-speaker to help boost the audio signal to deliver crystal clear sound with less distortion, even at maximum volume. The combination of amplified hardware and the rich, authentic, studio-quality sound of Beats Audio™ allows music to be heard the way the artist intended, and enhances the sound quality while playing games or watching video.

Additional Features

The DROID DNA by HTC is equipped with a 2,020 mAh battery and power saving software that enables long-lasting endurance.  In addition, the embedded wireless charging makes it easy and convenient to top off power throughout the day or fully charge overnight, simply by setting the phone down.  Finally, with near field communication (NFC), you can use the DROID DNA by HTC to share music and videos, add someone to your social networks, or download apps by tapping other NFC-enabled devices.

Availability:

The DROID DNA by HTC will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless through a pre-order starting today at www.verizonwireless.com/droiddna, and in-stores nationwide beginning Wednesday, November 21st for $199.99 with a two-year customer agreement.

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About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC's portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.