Updated: Verizon, Sprint Tee up Motorola's RAZR2

Looks like Verizon Wireless will be the first U.S. carrier to launch Moto's new RAZR2, a phone that the troubled handset maker hopes will revive the tired RAZR line. Update: Not long after Verizon's news, Sprint upped the ante by announcing it will have the RAZR2 available online this month, for $50 less than Verizon's version.

Verizon announced today that the Linux-based, stainless-steel phone will arrive in the carrier's lineup next month, for $300 with a two-year service agreement. Meanwhile, Sprint has just announced that its RAZR2 will go on sale August 22 for $250.

I had a chance to check out the RAZR2 in May, when it was first announced by Motorola, and came away impressed—surprisingly so, since I'd pretty much written off the seemingly exhausted RAZR brand. The RAZR2's stainless-steel, cast-aluminum shell made a big impression; it really is a gorgeous phone, slimmer than the older RAZRs, and it also has a jumbo two-inch external screen. The RAZR2 will be the first of its kind to come with a Linux-based OS, and it will also come with Moto's new "Crystal Talk" technology, which promises to improve call quality (I'll see how it works once I get one in for testing). 3G data support, a two-megapixel camera, Windows Media Player synching, and support for stereo Bluetooth headsets round out the features.

Of course, what I'll really be looking for from Verizon Wireless's version of the RAZR2 is a cool interface. Verizon has a bad habit of taking snazzy new phones and saddling them with a generic, static menu system. LG phones in Verizon's lineup have fared somewhat better—the LG Chocolate and VX8700 handsets in particular had impressive, animated interfaces that truly dazzled—so hopefully Verizon will follow suit with the RAZR2.

So what about you? Are you eager to try out the RAZR2, or have you had it with RAZRs?

Yet another update: Now comes word that AT&T is jumping aboard the bandwagon with the RAZR2 V9, an HSDPA variant of the phone (available in September for $300 with a two-year service agreement), with more carriers expected to announce shortly.

Related:
Press release [Verizon Wireless]
Press release [Sprint]
Press release [AT&T]