Thanks to an Android fan site DroidLife, you can now enjoy high-quality images of an alleged HTC smartphone engineered to take advantage of Verizon's 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Dubbed the Thunderbolt, the device is said to be the first LTE-capable smartphone to hit the Verizon network in the US "after its unveiling next week at CES."

Desing-wise, HTC Thunderbolt takes clues from the Desire HD. It's got a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen and even though it's unclear at this stage whether it'll run a dual-core processor like other Android superphones slated for 2011, its 4G circuitry should be enough to wow Android fans looking to upgrade to a faster network experience.

Check out a couple of Thunderbolt shots included here. The site leaked a total of twelve high-quality images so if you're hungry for more, hit the source link.

Commercial roll out of fourth-generation networks by major US carriers should be completed by the end of 2012. Verizon Wireless and its subsidiary Sprint are already promoting their 4G services, available in select markets.

Verizon emerged on the forefront of 4G deployment, with a slew of compatible 4G LTE devices making rounds across the blogosphere, like the recently leaked smartphone from Samsung that looks like a Galaxy successor. Phone vendors like Motorola, Samsung, and HTC are thought to be readying a number of LTE devices to be introduced early next year.

Source: Droid Life