Verizon XV6800 in the flesh

Hold on, Apache owners, your knight in shining armor is just around the corner! At least we think it is, now that we've seen some shots of a Verizon-branded XV6800 doing its thing in the wild. It may not look much different than the XV6700 it replaces, but we figure that if the EV-DO Rev. A doesn't tempt you -- or the promise of a Rev. A upgrade at some point, at least -- the 2 megapixel camera and 256MB of Flash just might. Hit the gallery for more pictures.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Verizon XV6800 in the wild

[MRD @ Feb 9th 2007 4:18PM]

Any concrete specs on this thing yet and more importantly when?

[sendeth @ Feb 9th 2007 6:52PM]

what the hell??? i just bought my 6700 yesterday...

[Mrmean @ Feb 9th 2007 4:19PM]

ugly

[Josh @ Feb 9th 2007 4:19PM]

But when will it be available...I've been waiting for months...

[Jim @ Feb 9th 2007 4:25PM]

How much is a unlimited data only plan for verizon?

[Paula @ Feb 9th 2007 5:04PM]

Unlimited ACCESS without voice is $59.99 I think.
Unlimited ACCESS plan is $44.49 with Voice.

Unlimited DATA plan... not on Verizon! Heh.
What they mean by unlimited is that you can use it whenever you want, not as much as you want.

Though I have used up to 2 GB a month without headache...

For the Data cards it's limited to 5 GB a month, and you'll probably get flagged if you even go near that with this sweet sweet device...

[Taylor @ Feb 9th 2007 4:39PM]

Dear god please come out soon, i can't live without bleeding edge tech!
-Taylor

[ttyRazor @ Feb 9th 2007 4:46PM]

too bad they didn't wait just a bit longer for WM6

[Bernard @ Feb 9th 2007 4:51PM]

Damn! No Crossbow!

[ciscoguerrero @ Feb 9th 2007 5:24PM]

OK, so we really need to know:

What AKU does this phone have? (3.3? 3.5? or does it come with the original crappy AKU?) I ask because I upgraded my xv6700 to AKU 3.3 and yes, indeed, performance does improve a good bit.
I don't get the no 'Crossbow' on this thing. Why not wait a couple more months instead? (then again, Crossbow looks like no improvement at all, at least visually over what I have right now on AKU 3.3)
Higher MP Camera and larger memory are nice, but nothing really groundbreaking here.
I don't like the keys at the bottom of the phone. I actualy prefer the ones on the current 6700 as better laid out. I do dig the keyboard with the numbers grouped together though.

[MacInfoSys.com @ Feb 9th 2007 5:05PM]

Is it me or am I seeing a slower processor speed than the current 6700 and also the same about of Ram!! I thought it was suposed to come with 128mb of ram!

[nigel @ Feb 9th 2007 5:06PM]

its nice nut its already antiquated technology, tdma is dead in the water. verizon needs to accept that and overhaul its system.

[akijikan @ Feb 9th 2007 5:25PM]

So does verizon have a timed exclusive or can we expect a sprint version about the same time?

[Mario Mejia @ Feb 9th 2007 5:27PM]

no Crossbow, $45/month data plan, only 2megapixels, and it IS ugly... NEXT!!!

Somebody call HTC up and tell them to hire new designers.

[jasonw @ Feb 9th 2007 5:48PM]

I've got the XV6700, and while it's not "modern" looking, I definitely like the layout better than this look. I thought it would at least have a 600+ Mhz processor too. Strange.

[Taylor @ Feb 9th 2007 6:01PM]

@ nigel...
VZW doesn't use TDMA, they use CDMA. TDMA really is dead, for the most part, but CDMA is a good technology; that's why all the new 3g and 3.5g networks use some form of it...
-Taylor

[Brian Verenkoff @ Feb 9th 2007 6:31PM]

Blah, I'm underwhelmed. I wanted WM6, 600+ MHz, double the ram, and 400+ wide resolution.

[mike @ Oct 16th 2008 6:41PM]

Hello taylor, I am trying to download a browser application so I can watch youtube and other videoson my xv6800, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[MacInfoSys.com @ Feb 9th 2007 6:44PM]

Ok, I did a little digging and found that the Qualcomm 7500 chipset
allows for EVDO-A. BUT running only at 384mhz as the picture shows, I
wonder how much slower/faster it will be compared to the current
PXA270 416mhz on the 6700? One of my BIGGEST complaints with the
6700 is it's limited RAM and Flash size. Well it looks like they are
fixing the Flash size but why leave the Ram size the same. Everything
I read in the past for possible specs. pointed towards a 128mb Ram.
you can barely use these phones to their pottential with such limited
capacities.

Also hope for at least AKU 3.3 if not 3.5. The current XV6700 running the hacked 3.3 runs almost like it is usefull again... ;-)

[JUMBOshrimp @ Feb 9th 2007 6:47PM]

Ummm... is this not the HTC TyTN/Hermes (Cingular 8525)?

[flamer's grill @ Feb 9th 2007 6:53PM]

Very surprised that is does not come with Crossbow out-of-the-box, like the Samsung i760 does. Also, no RevA to start, but RevA as an update? Come on, lame.

Starting to wonder if I will ever upgrade to this device. Probably not. My 6700, with AKU 3.3 and overclocked to 624 MHZ, is a speedy device that I love. I think the next PPC I get will have to have integrated GPS and maybe the trackball as seen on the HTC Artemis. Just slap a keyboard on that puppy, make it CDMA and I'm there is a hot second. Until then, the 6700 stays.

[Steven @ Feb 9th 2007 9:01PM]

Hmmm, it looks very similar to a phone I just saw elsewhere. Could this be Verizon's version of the HTC Kaiser phone? Anyone know for sure? See: http://www.mobilewhack.com/reviews/cell_phone/htc/

[boe @ Feb 9th 2007 9:45PM]

Wow the list of underwhelming specs is amazing!

FAT form factor - about 20+mm - iphone 11.5mm
Now WM6
Little memory 245mb - iphone 4 - 8 GIG!!
240x320 resolution - iphone 480 x 320
No WM6 - worth mentioning twice - then again so are all of these travesties.

I'm not saying the iphone is an ideal phone - it would be for me if it ran WM6 - I don't need a keyboard but if they used that same hardware and added a keyboard it would still kick but and would still be about 5mm thinner than the 6800 POS.

[Billy @ Sep 8th 2007 11:14PM]

The IPhone?? Please. Apple sure suckered people into that POS. I want my phone to be a phone and handy on the internet I will use my IPOD for music thank you very much.


SUCKERS.

[Eric @ Jun 9th 2008 4:45PM]

It seems some people don't understand the difference between memory and storage. The iPhone has 4-8 GB of storage. The XV6800 uses Micro-SD cards, and it supports cards up to 8 GB. Having removable storage is a huge advantage. The XV6800 is a nice phone, but Verizon should have released it several months ago.

[Brian @ Feb 10th 2007 5:26PM]

I have the Cingular version of this, the 8125. It is a good phone but dialing is nearly impossible. The numbers on the dialpad do not line up like a regular phone pad. And using the keypad on the touch screen is not reliable with a fingertip. So, if you use voice tags for dialing, it is really easy, any manual dialing sucks.

[veloslave @ Feb 10th 2007 7:24PM]

C'MON people!

It is not even out yet so we really do NOT know which OS it will come with

AND!!!

Just because one screen showed a 3** something processor speed, that DOES NOT mean it doesn't have a faster processor... it just means it was set at a slower setting (probably because it is beta and buggy and eating too much battery for now) People are already slamming it and it hasn't even been officially announced... and with Verizon it could still be a long way off.

Give it time people... breathe :)

[boe @ Feb 11th 2007 2:54PM]

Actually, I'm stoked so many people noticed how far behind the curve this unit is. Some people were saying I had unreasonable expectations but many others noticed how antiquated this yet to be released phone is. If enough people voice their opinions, HTC, Sprint and Verizon might actually take notice. Our specs aren't unreasonable as we already know about the higher res displays available, we already know about the vast amount of memory some phones have in comparison, our demands for slimmer units aren't unreasonable considering what other units with comparable processors, better displays already have in store for us.

[Chamai @ Feb 11th 2007 11:09PM]

i would get this phone if it had vcast mobile TV, music, and video.

[Chris @ Feb 12th 2007 11:35AM]

Are the specs for real? I've seen 256M in some coverage and as low as 64M in other places. How much user accessable space is there out of that 256M?

[Eric J. White @ Feb 13th 2007 9:35PM]

As I was in the market, and looking hard at verizon for my new service....(Currently a very unhappy T-Mobile customer) I found you guys here.
When I asked Verizon, they claim it doesn't exist.
Here is a fun chat with the Verizon rep:

You: when will the next round of PDA phones be released?
Jill: Unfortunately, I do not have access to that information, however, you can sign up on our email list and be informed of upcoming promotions.
You: How about the XV6800?
Jill: What is the make of that phone?
You: That is it's manufacturer's number, before you Brand it
Jill: Great! Let me search it in our database.
Jill: We have XV6700.
You: It will be replacing your 6700, and is probably available in limited quantities
You: I don't want to go purchasing a 6700, only to have the 6800 made available the next day
Jill: There is no phone with the model number 6800 that is going to be released.
You: yes...there is. They just apparently haven't told you yet
You: it was made public on the 9th
You: If you would like to learn about what you are selling, here is where I found it: http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/09/verizon-xv6800-in-the-flesh/
Jill: That is great! Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
You: It would not appear so, if you can't tell me about this new phone, now would it?
Jill: I would be more than happy to help you with your questions about our current products.
You: well, what happens when I spend $400 for a 6700, and then I'm unhappy when the new 6800 comes out a week later? Will I be upgraded?
Jill: You can return your phone within 15 days if you are not completely satisfied. However, I do not have any record of the 6800 being released. You can also wait for as long as you need to place your order.
You: Hmmm.....I'm thinking I won't be buying today then.
Jill: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
You: Not at the moment
Jill: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless, I look forward to speaking with you again. Have a great day!
Your chat session has been ended by your Verizon Wireless online agent.

[HobbesIsReal @ Feb 15th 2007 12:21AM]

If you notice all the specs have been for the VZ version of the PPC-6800. Sprint has been known in the past to offer "upgraded" versions of the same phone, especially if VZ has a short exclusive window. The Treo 700wx is a perfect example. I am looking for the Sprint PPC-6800 which is now apparently going to be coming out in May which may possibly be 2 or more months after VZ could potentially release theirs. I would love to see Sprint come out in May with a 128 MB RAM and WM6 version.....I can wish can't I?

[collin @ Mar 3rd 2007 8:43PM]

UTstarcom told me it would be release within 2 months

[Nicols_lax @ Mar 5th 2007 10:11AM]

This phone has already been released. About 3-4 weeks ago I saw it at the Burlington Mall in Massachusetts. I wrote down the product name and then looked it up here.

[Nichols_lax @ Mar 5th 2007 10:13AM]

P.S. It runs about $300.00 if you have the $100 "Renew every Two" years credit. Otherwise it runs about $400 with a 2 year commitment.

[intheknow @ Apr 30th 2007 5:37PM]

Verizon Wireless will launch the XV6800 mid july or so. It will include Crossbow, WM 6.0, have a micro SD card, processor speed will not be less, it will be about the same though, 2.0 MP camera w/128MB AND will work on the Rev A network....oh yeah - will still be able to use Wi-Fi....

[skier @ Apr 30th 2007 6:30PM]

Is this release date based on good info? Although I really like my 6700, it has broken 3 times now and I don't want a 4th. Verizon customer service is great in that now they will replace with any PDA I want, but I want the xv6800 and they won't divulge when that is coming out, in fact they say they know nothing about it. Since my screen doesn't work anymore when touched by the stylus (only firm large pressure with your finger) I suppose I could wait until July but I'd rather not. Precise info on a release date would be great or confirmation of the previous post. Thanks.

[intheknow @ May 6th 2007 12:29AM]

I know these are just words on the internet but I am about as reliable as you can get on this subject. Yes - actually, Verizon Wireless is slated to release the XV6800 late June, I just said mid july to be safe in case there are any delays. Customer Service will not know anything nor are they allowed to divulge any information that is not publically released for legal reasons. If you can wait - do it!!

[Earle @ May 11th 2007 9:33PM]

Now they have it so you can buy the 6700 for only $200 after all the rebates, new phone after 2 years, and sign up for the internet per month. When the 6800 comes out I am sure it will be around $400 even with all these rebates. You think the 6800 is worth an extra $200.

[Kyle @ May 29th 2007 2:21AM]

WHEN IS THIS COMING OUT FOR VERIZON?!?!?!?

[John @ Jun 8th 2007 8:13AM]

Will the ITC ban on certain Qualcomm phones prevent the release of the xv6800? It uses the MSM7500 chipset, but I can't find a list of the chipsets affected by the ruling.

[Derek @ Jul 14th 2007 3:18PM]

The local Verizon stores in California are telling me the July delivery is being delayed to August or (more likely) September. The rep says they typically receive a few weeks advanced notice for new product but haven't heard anything yet.

[scorp508 @ Jul 15th 2007 9:55PM]

Ughhhhh. That isn't what I wanted to hear. :( While waiting for this I've been forcing myself not to turn in my busted up old VX7000 with cracked screen and falling out battery.

[Derek @ Aug 1st 2007 3:40PM]

Harsha Satsangh's personal blog provides a good summary of the events that have taken place regarding the availability of this phone, along with all of the news story links to back it up. I suspect the rumors of August or September I've heard from various Verizon retailers are correct. Check it out: http://luthar.com/2007/07/24/verizons-xv-6800-delay-mystery-solved/

[RileyFreeman @ Sep 10th 2007 11:23PM]

this phone is fugly. just like the bell version in canada. looks like sprint, telus in canada and i think alltel got it right with their version.

[sahajman @ Sep 18th 2007 5:36PM]

Luthar is predicting the release of Verizon's XV6800 in November.

http://luthar.com/2007/09/16/xv6800-release-date/

[mary64 @ Oct 4th 2007 8:26PM]

I spoke with a rep. from Verizon she went to the big boss and told me the release date (ON the Internet) is 11/18/07.

[Joe @ Oct 10th 2007 4:11PM]

Oh yea, and it was Oct 15 before that, and before that it was Sept XX, and before that... cripes, give it up folks. By the time Verizon releases this device (IF they release it) it will already be obsolete. I left months ago and have a lovely ATT 8525 which is working great with WM6. Service quality is good.

[questbx1 @ Oct 19th 2007 9:36AM]

A good phone but very sensetive. Working on my fourth. Prone too freezing and to many hard resets have to be performed.Will try to wait for new 6800 in all itxz a good phone.

[Paul @ Nov 8th 2007 9:42PM]

Does this unit still have the same old lame display that can't be seen when you are outside???