HTC Rezound press images surface hours before announcement

There's no mistaking this black-and-red smartphone for anything but a Verizon handset.

(Credit: Pocketnow)

The first official press images of the HTC Rezound have landed online, hours ahead of its formal unveiling.

As evidenced in the photos obtained by Pocketnow, the Android-powered phone takes design cues from the Droid Incredible, as well as the Sensation XE. Bearing the carrier's red-and-black color scheme, the back of the smartphone also has the Beats Audio logo, indicating an enhanced audio experience.

Specifications look to include dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 4.3-inch HD (1,280x720-pixel) display, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and an 8-megapixel camera. Additional details for the HTC phone should include 4G LTE support, a front-facing camera, a 1,620 mAh battery, and a bundled pair of Beats earbuds.

On paper, the Rezound's hardware matches up quite nicely with the Galaxy Nexus, but the Rezound will most likely run Gingerbread with HTC's Sense UI, while the Galaxy Nexus has the distinction of being the first smartphone to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

We're only a couple of hours away from getting all the official details. Be sure to follow along with CNET's live blog here at noon PT/3 p.m. ET.