The build quality, keyboard and Android ROM have already received high praises from sites like Engadget, but is the Motorola CLIQ destined to release on other US carriers besides T-mobile?  Motorola’s Co-CEO Sanjay Jha said Monday his company is in talks with large U.S. operators other than initial partner T-Mobile USA to sell its Cliq smartphone, but wouldn’t elaborate on key elements about the new product, including pricing.  This is big news for the many smartphone enthusiasts, myself included, who would love a chance to use the Motorola CLIQ in carrier-branded form rather than unlocking the device and possibly being stuck with EDGE data speeds.  For Sprint customers the Motorola CLIQ would be a great alternative to the HTC Hero coming next month since it blends the style of the Touch Pro2 with the finesse of the Hero.

Unfortunately Sanjay Jha did not confirm a release date, but most analysts expect the CLIQ to launch in the next few weeks just in time to compete with Sprint’s HTC Hero.  Until then we will all be keeping our fingers crossed that the rumored $0 2-year pricing and $400 contract-free price points remain accurate.  After seeing what a promising rumor did for Sprint’s stock price you have to wonder if Jha’s comments about the CLIQ coming to other US carriers really has any substance, but being an optimist I think I’ll take his word for now.

[Via WSJ]