Telstra’s first 4G smartphone, the HTC Velocity 4G is now available for pre-order

Telstra have opened up the pre-order lines for their first 4G smartphone — happily running Android — the HTC Velocity 4G. The device launches next week on the 24th on Telstra’s $79 Freedom Connect Plan which includes 2GB of data to be used on their brand new 4G network as well as 3G/2G. There’s also $800 worth of calls and unlimited texts thrown in for good measure.

The Velocity 4G (that’s a pretty epic name if you ask me) will only have 4G where Telstra roll out their 4G network, which at this point in time is a pretty limited market. After looking at their coverage maps you’ll see if it’s about 5KM around the CBDs and at major regional towns in each state. So if you live just out of the coverage areas, you’ll be skipping on this device for now.

For the final time, these are the specs of the HTC Velocity 4G if you are interested in snapping one up:

• 1.5GHz Dual-Core CPU
• Android 2.3.4 w/ Sense 3.5
• 4.5-inch qHD (960×540) LCD Display
• 8MP Rear Camera (shoots 1080p) / 1.3MP Front Camera (shoots your face)
• 1GB RAM
• HD Voice capable
• Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0

We’ll be reviewing a HTC Velocity 4G in the next two weeks — if you’re interested in reading our thoughts before jumping in, keep an eye out for that.