Verizon won't offer the Galaxy S II

Computerworld - Verizon won't offer the Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone, which is being introduced by other major U.S. carriers next week and could be a top contender against the coming iPhone 5.

Samsung's Galaxy S II smartphone.

A Verizon spokesman confirmed in a telephone interview Friday that Verizon won't sell the Galaxy S II, noting that Verizon already has an extensive portfolio of Android smartphones that includes the Samsung Droid Charge.

It has also been rumored that Verizon will start carrying the Motorola's Droid Bionic next month. The Bionic, which would operate on Verizon's 4G LTE network, would be similar to the Galaxy S II, which has sold well in markets where it has already been introduced in Asia, Europe and Australia.

The Galaxy S II runs on the Android 2.3 mobile operating system and features a dual-core processor and a 4.3-in. display.

The Galaxy S II will be a "powerful option" to the coming iPhone 5, said IDC analyst Ramon Llamas. Llamas predicted the iPhone 5 will still do very well, even though Steve Jobs has stepped down as Apple's CEO.

"But put the GSII side by side with the iPhone 5, and there will be a lot of good reasons to consider both and select either," Ramon said.

Verizon has a wide portfolio of dual-core smartphones and several that run on its 4G LTE network. A leaked Verizon document released on the IGN website in early August indicated Verizon would be offering several new phones, including the Samsung Stratosphere. Some bloggers say the Stratosphere is actually Verizon's version of the Galaxy S II, although Verizon won't comment on that.

Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen, or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed. His email address is mhamblen@computerworld.com.

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