document: 4 Reasons Why ThunderBolt Could Be Outselling Verizon 's iPhone The HTC ThunderBolt is reportedly outselling Apple 's iPhone 4 in some Verizon locations , if one analyst firm is correct . BGR shares the information from BTIG Research , which has called more than 150 Verizon stores to gather sales data . Nearly two-thirds of the stores indicated sales are neck-and-neck between the two devices , while 28 percent reported the ThunderBolt is proving more popular than the iPhone . Without actual sales numbers from either Verizon or Apple , there 's no way to verify the analyst claims , but there are four logical reasons why they might be true : The next iPhone . While many Verizon customers waited more than 3.5 years to see an iPhone for their network of choice , it 's difficult to imagine that all who waited actually bought the Verizon iPhone when it came out . Why ? Apple 's annual refresh cycle for the iPhone is nearly common knowledge to the masses and would be well-known to any Verizon customer who 's been waiting for a CDMA iPhone since June of 2007 . There 's no guarantee this June will see the next iPhone -- there are even rumors of a September release -- but after waiting 3.5 years , it makes sense to wait a few more months in case Apple does follow the traditional iPhone refresh cycle with an updated model . 4G is a huge differentiator . The HTC ThunderBolt is the first , and currently , the only , 4G handset able to use Verizon 's speedy LTE mobile broadband network . Verizon 's iPhone is stuck on the older EVDO 3G network , and although many factors influence network speeds , a 3G Verizon iPhone surfs the web around 10 times slower than the HTC ThunderBolt in a 4G coverage area . Verizon is also pushing the LTE capabilities by offering 4G data for the ThunderBolt at the same monthly price as the 3G data plan used by the iPhone . And the operator is throwing in personal hotspot function for free until May 15 on the ThunderBolt . Apple Stores are missing from the equation . Here 's a fly in the ointment for those thinking the BTIG data can be applied to overall handset sales . You ca n't assume that the ThunderBolt is selling better than the iPhone overall on Verizon 's network , because the data does n't include sales figures or estimates from Apple Stores . Again , without any hard sales data from Apple or Verizon , we do n't know how the newest iPhone is selling , but to assume all Verizon iPhones are sold in Verizon stores would be ludicrous . Bigger is better ? This line of thought gets into the debate I had with Darrell Etherington last month . I still subscribe to the idea that consumers are intrigued by larger displays on smartphones which are still highly pocketable . Yes , the 960 × 640 resolution on the iPhone 4 is stellar , but the 800 × 480 resolution on the ThunderBolt 's 4.3-inch screen is quite nice and the keyboard is less cramped due to the extra room . Yet , the larger screen does n't boost the device size that much over the iPhone 4 . Apple 's handset measures 4.5 ″ x 2.3 ″ x 0.4 ″ , while the ThunderBolt comes in a 4.8 ″ x 2.6 ″ x 0.5 ″ in size . Either way , the situation is a win-win for Verizon and its customers . Those who want a Verizon iPhone now have the option after years of making do with alternative handsets or carriers . And people who prefer Android and/or want to surf on Verizon 's LTE network can do so with the ThunderBolt . A truer comparison between the iPhone and competing Android handsets on Verizon starts with Apple 's next handset , especially if it has LTE capabilities , as several new Android phones are expected to have in the next few months . Until then -- or until we see actual Verizon iPhone sales figures -- the ThunderBolt appears to be having a good run against the iPhone , and for good reasons . Related content from GigaOM Pro -LRB- subscription req 'd -RRB- : In Q3 , the Tablet and 4G Were the Big Stories Mobile Operators ' Strategies for Connected Devices In Q4 , Data Was Mobile 's Hot Spot Copyright 2011 GigaOm . All Rights Reserved . GigaOm is an independent blog network . Read More '' ''
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