The Verizon iPhone hasn’t even been available for two months, but it’s already being challenged for the title of Verizon’s most popular phone by the HTC Thunderbolt.
The Android smartphone is a beast of a device; not only is it one of the world’s first 4G LTE devices, but it boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen, an 8-megapixel camera and 8 GB of flash memory. Because of its large screen and LTE technology though, it retails for $249.99 with a two-year contract, $50 more than the iPhone 4.
That hasn’t stopped people from snatching up the device, though. Analysts at BTIG Research polled 150 Verizon Wireless stores and asked the sales people whether they sold more iPhones or Thunderbolts during the previous weekend; 61% of stores reported that sales of both devices were nearly identical, while a full 28% said the Thunderbolt was outselling the iPhone. Some 11% of stores, mostly in the Southeast, claimed the iPhone 4 was still outselling HTC’s newest smartphone.
While BTIG Research’s data isn’t scientific, it matches what we’ve been hearing; the HTC Thunderbolt is a hit. The combination of large screen and hyper-fast 4G speeds has proven alluring to Verizon’s customers. Don’t think this means the Thunderbolt is actually outselling the Verizon iPhone yet; Apple’s device is also available in Apple Stores and at Best Buy, increasing its total sales figures.
Still, with the release of the iPhone 5 likely delayed, the Thunderbolt and other LTE Android phones like it will have plenty of time to firmly establish themselves in the market.
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