Warren, N.J. - Sprint prepaid brand Virgin Mobile plans to launch its first cellphone equipped with Nearfield Communications (NFC) and NFC-based Google Wallet technology.

 The 3G LG Optimus Elite Android phone will be available at $149 on May 15, but preorders have begun.

With Wallet-enabled phones, users pay for purchases by tapping on a compatible contactless terminal at participating merchants. Sprint offers postpaid phones with the technology

The Optimus Elite will be available in silver with Android 2.3, 3.5-inch touchscreen, 800MHz processor and 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. It can be used with the Virgin's no-contract Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans starting at $35/month.