T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide appears ahead of expected July launch

A number of images of the upcoming MyTouch 4G Slide surfaced over the weekend, providing a clear look at the T-Mobile handset. The phone, which carries the code name of Doubleshot, has been expected to arrive in July with a dual-core processor, a 3.7-inch display, and an 8-megapixel camera.

Of course, the 4G in the name also indicates support for T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network. According to TmoNews, the phone runs Gingerbread (Android 2.3) and feels slightly heavier in hand than its counterpart, the G2. What's more, the source has high marks for the four-row keyboard, calling it both "amazing" and "super fast."

The Genius button makes its return on the MyTouch 4G, as does the customized version of HTC's Sense UI, features that made its predecessor, the myTouch 3G Slide, a good option for first-time smartphone buyers. The keyboard has been slightly tweaked with a dedicated button for "www" and ".com" and looks to be far less confusing than what was found on the 3G Slide.

Combining all of this with the rumored specifications, we could be looking at a double shot of performance and experience. With the right price, T-Mobile's myTouch 4G could be appealing on all fronts.

T-Mobile has a long history of offering handsets that aren't focused on high-end hardware so much as how the phone works. Rather than attempting to lure hard-core Android enthusiasts with cutting-edge technology, the carrier usually caters to the user who might need a little hand-holding.