Both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile began offering WiMAX-powered handsets earlier this year that took advantage of Sprint's old 4G network after it began focusing its efforts on LTE. Now it appears that the two Sprint subsidiaries will soon be making the jump to LTE, as well. A new report from @evleaks on Unwired View claims that Boost and Virgin will offer a trio of LTE-capable handsets in the first quarter of 2013, with Boost getting a pair of LTE phones and Virgin receiving one LTE handset and one 3G-only model.
The first device that Boost users can reportedly expect to see is the ZTE Force, pictured above left. Rumored to also be headed to Sprint, the Force is said to feature a 4-inch WVGA display and 1.5GHz dual-core processor, as well as 5-megapixel rear and 1-megapixel front cameras. The other upcoming handset is dubbed the HTC One SV. That model may pack a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front shooter and a body color that's described as "reddish." Both the Force and One SV are rumored to be coming with price tags between $200 and $300.
On the Virgin side of things, customers interested in an LTE smartphone can look forward to the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE. Shown below left, this device launched on Sprint back in September 2012 and features a 4-inch 800x480 display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The second Virgin-bound device, known as the Kyocera Event, is a bit lower-end. It reportedly packs a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3.2-megapixel rear camera, 1GHz single-core chip and 3G-only connectivity.
It may seem kind of strange that Boost and Virgin are going to start offering LTE handsets less than a year after launching WiMAX models. However, it's good to hear that both operators may soon make the jump to LTE since Sprint is now focusing on its LTE coverage and is no longer expanding its WiMAX service. Sprint's LTE network currently covers 43 markets and is expected to grow to over 100 more locations in the coming months, which will help to push it past Sprint's WiMAX footprint of 71 markets. So Boost and Virgin folk, have any of these leaked handsets piqued your interest?
Via Unwired View
