Verizon Wireless XV6800 finally sees the light of day
Verizon Wireless XV6800
(Credit: Verizon Wireless)Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I know a lot of you have been waiting for this smartphone, and the day has finally come for the Verizon Wireless XV6800 to shine. Starting today, you can purchase the XV6800 online for a pricey $349.99 (ouch) with a two-year contract and after rebates, while in-store availability will begin on December 5.
As the successor to the aging UTStarcom XV6700 , the XV6800 brings a much-needed refresh with an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition, a sleeker design, and a 2-megapixel camera. You also get EV-DO, integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo headsets and dial-up networking. Other features include 64MB RAM/256MB ROM, a microSD expansion slot that can accept up to 4GB cards, a 2.8-inch touch screen with slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and voice-activated dialing and commands.
Now, we're still waiting to get our review unit, but based on the performance of its other variants (i.e., the Sprint Mogul and the T-Mobile Wing), this will be a real asset to business users. But the real decision may be: Should you get the Verizon Wireless XV6800 or the Samsung SCH-i760? Check back soon for a our final verdict.
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
