With Google’s (NSDQ: GOOG) first Android phone just days away from being unveiled, the predictions have started flying. In the final three months of the year, Strategy Analytics is estimating that the Google Android operating system will account for 4 percent of all smartphones sold in the U.S. That means T-Mobile USA will sell about 400,000 of the HTC phones, out of the 10.5 million smartphones forecasted to be sold during the fourth quarter.

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Chris Ambrosio, Strategy Analytics’ executive director said: “Google has the brand power in the USA to make a big impact at launch.” He qualified that statement by saying that in order to be competitive against those already in the market, such as Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Symbian, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), Palm (NSDQ: PALM), LiMo and BlackBerry, the carrier will have to subsidize the product so that the retail price is below $200. Information leaked out earlier this week said the device will likely be sold for $199. Release.