AT&T's latest Android smartphone, the Nitro HD, features a gorgeous 4.5-inch display.

(Credit: LG)

AT&T today introduced its next Android smartphone, the 4G LTE-capable LG Nitro HD.

Expected to arrive online and in stores on December 4 for $249.99, the LG Nitro HD boasts a 4.5-inch True HD AH-IPS display, a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, an 8-megapixel camera, and 4GB internal storage. What's more, the Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread smartphone comes with a 16GB microSD card and support for Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA connectivity, matching up quite nicely with Korea's recently announced Optimus LTE.

If the press release is any indication, AT&T will no doubt focus heavily on the "true HD" display and its 1,280x720-pixel resolution. Touting "unrivaled color accuracy, brightness, battery efficiency, and performance," the screen packs 500 nit luminance, which helps in viewing when in direct sunlight. Although not quite as bright as the NOVA display found in the Optimus Black, the very mention of battery improvement should be enough to turn heads.

LG has an event scheduled for December 1 during which we anticipate the handset maker will be showing off the Nitro HD. CNET will be in attendance so be sure to check back on Thursday for firsthand impressions.