iPhone 5 Release Date: Verizon to Release 'Samsung Stratosphere' Day Before iPhone 4S

A day before the official release of Apple's "iPhone 4S", Verizon is planning to release its brand new Android-based smartphone: the "Samsung Stratosphere."

The "Samsung Stratosphere," once dubbed the "Droid Life," is Verizon Wireless' first ever 4G LTE smartphone. The model comes equipped with a physical QWERTY keyboard and a host of other features that rivals the "iPhone 4S."

The keyboard slides out from underneath the screen display, which provides easy access for users.

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Verizon's new smartphone comes with a 4-inch, Super AMOLED screen display with WVGA (480 x 800 pixel) resolution. The smartphone is powered by a 1GHz, single-core Samsung Hummingbird processor that features both a 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus and flash and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera.

The rear camera does not record HD video like the front-facing camera, though. 4GB of onboard storage and 4GB of extra memory come from a pre-installed microSD card inside the smartphone. The Stratosphere is supported by Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, as well as Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS connections.

Samsung has equipped the "Stratosphere" with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and its TouchWiz custom interface. The Stratosphere also lets users access Samsung's "Media Hub", an application that lets users download TV shows and movies for viewing on their handsets.

This new smartphone model looks similar to Sprint's handset model, the "Epic 4G."

The "Samsung Stratosphere" is expected to sell for $149.99, after rebate on a new two-year contact with Verizon. The smartphone will be sold online and in stores on Oct. 13; a day before the sale of the "iPhone 4S."

Verizon's new smartphone holds one positive caveat over Apple's upcoming "iPhone 4"; the "Samsung Stratosphere's" has the 4G LTE network while the "iPhone 4S" only features 3G. Verizon's 4G LTE network has faster data speeds than 3G.

Even though Verizon has one better feature than the "iPhone 4S", customers seem to be more excited for the "iPhone 4S." The pre-orders for Apple's new product are reportedly sold out.

Apple's much-requested smartphone may actually face some competition from Verizon's 4G LTE-enabled smartphone.