Verizon Wireless Voyager Phone To Compete With iPhone

Verizon Wireless is a formidable competitor in the wireless business, so it should come as no surprise to learn that they’re introducing what they hope will be an “iPhone killer.” The Verizon Wireless Voyager is made by LG Electronics and boasts a few features that outdo the iPhone, notably faster data access speeds.

Verizon Wireless hopes the new phone will attract customers put off by the iPhone’s lack of a traditional keypad — the Voyager hinges open to reveal a small computer keypad and a second screen.

“We think it’ll be the best phone … this year. It will kill the iPhone,” Verizon Wireless Chief Marketing Officer Mike Lanman said in an interview.

Mobile industry analysts are not as convinced that the new Voyager phone will pull people away from iPhone. Avi Greengart, of Current Analysis, said the Voyager may attract existing Verizon subscribers who do not want to switch service providers, but he doubted it would hurt iPhone sales.

“People who want a high-end media phone and want to stay with Verizon will certainly give that one a hard look. I don’t know that it would pull anybody away from an iPhone,” he said.

As with all new phone launches, only time will tell. Customers are a mysterious and fickle bunch when it comes to determining which phone will be a hit.