Better yet, it is even the very latest version of Android seen on some Galaxy Nexus models as well, as Android 4.0.4 is now ready to try out for your Spectrum. Identified as build VS920ZV7, there’s no surprises that the guys over at the XDA Developers Forum are responsible for this custom build.

It’s also quite remarkable how soon this has come as Spectrum owners are probably only just getting acquainted with an official Gingerbread update that took place recently. There’s obviously no indication on when the device will be receiving an official update to ICS though and in all honestly, it is probably unlikely anyway with so many newer LG handsets already available.

Going back to the Galaxy Nexus though, we don’t want to rub it in any further, but how does it make you feel seeing LG Spectrum users enjoying Android 4.0.4, when Verizon and Samsung still insist on providing no updates for the device so many months after launch?

If you want to give this a go on your Spectrum, you’ll find the download links and instructions over at XDA here. Let us know how you get on and if you run into any problems during installation. Is Ice Cream Sandwich looking twice as good as Gingerbread?

CES 2012 kicks off on January 10 and you can expect the LG Spectrum to make an appearance in public amongst other unannounced delights. LG’s Optimus 2X was another handset that received a lot of attention, primarily due to the fact that it was the world’s first dual-core smartphone at the time.

The company are now kicking off their 2012 smartphone lineup with the Spectrum and it is looking like a very decent handset indeed. It is going to be Verizon’s first 4G LTE handset of 2012 and a release date has already been confirmed for January 19th. Specs of the handset include a 4.5-inch HD IPS display screen which also features Gorilla Glass materials from Corning. It also comes with a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording and a separate 1.3mp front-facing camera.

In terms of storage you’ll get 4GB internal memory, which is of course expandable via Micro SD card and the Spectrum will ship with a 16GB Micro SD card as well. The Spectrum will also feature Swype support, but perhaps the one disappointing aspect is that this is another handset that will only ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, not Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich which is the latest version. You can bet though that LG will be promising an upgrade shortly after launch though and like we have just seen with the Samsung Galaxy S II, an unofficial custom version is also inevitable.

Official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but expect this to come in at $299 on a two year contract, just like Verizon’s other 4G LTE handsets. Does the LG Spectrum spec sheet do enough to warrant a purchase ahead of the Galaxy Nexus though? Ice Cream Sandwich would have been nice in the box we feel, as it is disappointing that a 2012 smartphone launch can still go ahead with an outdated firmware. That’s minor though obviously and we have a feeling that the Spectrum may just tempt a few of you into a purchase as it becomes available on the 19th.

The model number for the Spectrum is VS920 and comes packed with some impressive hardware, such as a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, HD recording, and that all-important LTE technology. Long Term Evolution has taken some time to get off the ground, as 2011 was seen as a transition period, 2012 will see the technology even more widespread – just wish other parts of the world would catch up.

We do not want to put any leaked images up for obvious reason, so head over to Pocketnow to see what all the fuss is about. One thing we do know, Big Red will certainly have an impressive line-up, not only will they have the new LG Spectrum but also the sexy looking RAZR, Galaxy Nexus and the Rezound. There are still some other handsets to look forward to next year, the DROID4 and also the iPhone – yes it will be called the 5 next time round.

We are sorry that there is not much to go on from the image, as it’s a little on the small side, but it’s just enough for those eagle-eyed experts to see that she’s a slim device, something that the first LTE LG handset was not – it was a bit of a beast.

What Verizon handset are you looking forward to the most in 2012?