Verizon Galaxy S2 LTE (Function) Photos? US Release Looming

We’ve been bringing you all the developments surrounding the U.S. release of the Samsung Galaxy S2 (S II), or should I say lack of it. Although the lack of information so far has led us to wonder why Samsung aren’t in a hurry to release it and caused us to think of other reasons why it hasn’t been launched today’s news is slightly more promising as the Verizon Galaxy S2, otherwise known as the Function, has been spotted in leaked photos. However of course we have no way of telling just yet if these are the real deal.

Only yesterday we told how images of what appeared to be the Sprint version of the Galaxy S2 had been spotted and that the photos did tie in extremely well and certainly looked credible. This led us to hope that the Galaxy S2 US release was getting closer. Today’s images are not quite as convincing but we’re not writing them off altogether. Jacob Palmer over on Gizmo Crunch, sourced from Android Central, tells how these images show a Verizon Galaxy S2 with 4G LTE, which would surely please an awful lot of people as that’s something that has so far been unconfirmed for the Galaxy S2 in the US.

Yesterday we gave some reasons why we felt the Galaxy S2 was still very much wanted in the US and discussed whether the S2 would be 4G LTE or not. However we pointed out that at this point nobody knows and so if these leaked images show the genuine article many Verizon customers would be very satisfied. What makes these photos more doubtful than those of the Sprint Galaxy S2 yesterday is that this handset for Verizon features a slideout keyboard, a feature that has not been seen on the Galaxy S2 before. You can see one of the photos next, courtesy of Android Central.

However the addition of a keyboard doesn’t mean this spot is not the real deal as the original Galaxy S for Sprint (Epic 4G) also featured a keyboard that was not on the handset for other carriers. Similarly the purported Galaxy S2 Sprint version, the Within, that we mentioned earlier also had changes to the form factor with more rounded edges, along with a more solid volume rocker. As well as this the AT&T variant of the Galaxy S2, the Attain, that was reported on back in June also had some differences such as four capacitive touchscreen buttons and a relocated power button.

We’ve heard plenty of rumors suggesting a July launch for the US Galaxy S2 on various carriers, to tie in with the Canada release on July 21 on Bell and an article on Planet Insane seems to suggest that this is also the date that the Galaxy S2 will make its US appearance. However the source of this news is in doubt as it comes from Best Buy Canada and so although we very much hope that a July 21 release in the US is likely we would take this with a pinch of salt for now.

If these images of the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S2 are the real deal and it is 4G LTE-equipped it could come out about the same time as the Motorola Droid Bionic, another LTE handset coming to Verizon. Hefty competition indeed! We know from previous comments to many of our articles just how many of you are waiting for one or other of these smartphones so there should shortly be a lot of very well-satisfied Verizon customers. Are you waiting for the Verizon Galaxy S2 or the Droid Bionic? What would you think of a Galaxy S2 on Verizon with a slideout keyboard? Let us know with your comments.