T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G is the first HSPA+ phone capable of 21Mbps downloads, coming February

4G announcements are raining left and right from the carriers, since the marketing departments are working overtime to counter the Verizon iPhone introduction. T-Mobile just lifted the veil over the 4G version of its Samsung Vibrant - the Galaxy S 4G - which will be available for purchase some time this month.

The phone has similar specs with the Vibrant, save for a few very important aspects. It has an HSPA+ radio inside, made by ST-Ericsson, which can theoretically take full advantage of the current 21Mbps HSPA+ network of T-Mobile. The rest of the 4G gang on T-Mo now goes up to "only" 14.4Mbps - in theory, that is.

The other major differences are that this one is running Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box, has 16GB of memory and, last but not least, it has a bigger 1650mAh battery to compensate for the additional battery drain that 4G brings along. Oh, and why no camera flash for the 5MP shooter again, is beyond us.

The carrier has included T-Mobile TV for watching free content over 4G, like ABC News, Fox Sport or PBX Kids on-the-go. Samsung Media Hub is also present for buying or renting movies, music and TV shows. The Galaxy 4G will come with "Inception" preinstalled, to try and lure you in using the Media Hub more often. Other multimedia goodies include Slacker Radio, as well as the doubleTwist with AirSync apps for wirelessly syncing media with your home computer. Qik is the video chat program of choice on the T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G.

We can't wait to test the download speeds on this one, and compare them to the slower HSPA+ radios on the T-mobile myTouch 4G, or the T-Mobile G2. Something tells us that until Big Magenta rolls out its 42Mbps upgrade of the network by the end of the year, the speed differences in real life won't be very significant.

source: T-Mobile