HTC thunderbolt

Verizon will release its first 4G phone, the ThunderBolt ($250), this Thursday. The device, which first surfaced last year, was officially unveiled at CES in January.

Despite running on Verizon's new 4G network, ThunderBolt customers can enjoy the same pricing plans as current Verizon subscribers: voice plans starting at $40/month and data starting at $30/month. The ThunderBolt has a 4.3-inch hi-res screen, 8mp camera with flash, and 720p HD video camera.

Since it runs on the 4G network, the ThunderBolt is the first Verizon phone to be able to handle voice and data use at the same time. It also can serve as a mobile hotspot for up to eight other devices, which according to Verizon will be free until May 15. After that, users can choose to pay an additional $20 for 2GB of data each month.

After some images of the newest HTC phone were leaked last week, blog Droid Life is reporting that the images are from Verizon's new HTC Thunderbolt and has posted 12 more images of the device.

The new Android phone should be unveiled at or before CES and is expected to run on Verizon's 4G network. It features its own built-in stand, very similar to the HTC EVO 4G from Sprint.

No pricing or availability details have been released, though Verizon is holding a press conference next week, which may contain more information about the new Thunderbolt.