[Rumor] HTC One Will Come to Verizon a Month or Two Later Than Regular Launch

[dgstorm]

Yesterday we shared a story discussing the excellent audio quality and battery life results of the new HTC One smartphone. (Here's a link to that article.) In that article we also included an update about a Bluetooth certification hinting that the device would be coming to Verizon after-all. Today we have a new bit of intel from AllThingsD that seems to confirm this. In fact, according tho their source, the HTC One is definitely coming to Big Red, but will simply be a month or two late to the party due to Verizon's overly stringent testing process for new devices. Here's a quote with more of the details,

However, Verizon will also carry the high-end Android device, according to a source familiar with the situation. Its launch at Verizon, though, will trail the other U.S. carriers by a month or two as it winds its way through the testing process.

HTC and Verizon representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The eventual launch at Verizon means that all four major carriers will be carrying the One, allowing the product to fulfill a key objective for the struggling phone maker.

When HTC announced the first One models in 2012, the goal was to create a single flagship line that would help define HTC’s image in the minds of consumers. The first One series, though, was actually three distinct phones — the One X, One V and One S.

What’s more, Sprint and Verizon opted to carry their own high-end HTC models rather than any of the three Ones.

This year, though, HTC has managed to get all four carriers to support the One. That should help the company, which is seeking to boost its visibility and better compete against high-end rivals, particularly Apple and Samsung.

As you can see, this also seems to suggest that Verizon might actually sell the device with its original name (although it's also possible they might jam the word Droid in there somewhere. Would you get behind an HTC Droid One?

 

[SILVER COUPE]

very pleased with this news. i'm up for a new phone in June and was interested in this phone when it was first announced.

 

[shockracer]

Being able to buy it a month or two after it is released on other carriers makes it not so wantable do to the fact that it not being fresh to the market and old news!

 

[cybertec69]

Verizon needs to get rid of the inventory of DNA's first, bet this is the reason for the Verizon delay.

 

[sNuFfYStiGLiTZ]

I bet they're using the delay to find a way to shoe horn as many Verizon and 4G LTE logo's on the phone as they can possibly fit.

 

[wardo]

Htc can eat poop.

 

[skennelly]

Verizon needs to get rid of the inventory of DNA's first, bet this is the reason for the Verizon delay.

No. Vzw is using the delay to lock down this phone. Mark my words and wait for this forum to explode with threads complaining about the locked bootloader. Not to mention the fact that HTC has already announced a developer edition!? You've been warned folks.

 

[SILVER COUPE]

No. Vzw is using the delay to lock down this phone. Mark my words and wait for this forum to explode with threads complaining about the locked bootloader. Not to mention the fact that HTC has already announced a developer edition!? You've been warned folks.

if they subsidize the price, then i don't see why they shouldnt be able to lock iit down. now if the phone is paid for outright then you should be able to get an unlocked version.

 

[skennelly]

if they subsidize the price, then i don't see why they shouldnt be able to lock iit down. now if the phone is paid for outright then you should be able to get an unlocked version.

Not true. Even with a subsidized price, you still pay for the entire phone. This is why you must sign a 2 year contract. You pay for part of the phone upfront and the other part is part of your monthly fee.

 

[SILVER COUPE]

Not true. Even with a subsidized price, you still pay for the entire phone. This is why you must sign a 2 year contract. You pay for part of the phone upfront and the other part is part of your monthly fee.

agreed, but you're getting it at $200 not $500. after the contract is up you should be able to unlock the phone, but by then most people arent interested in their phone anymore, they're eyeing the next best thing. that's how they keep us hooked. most people aren't willing to shell out that kind of money upfront.

 

[skennelly]

agreed, but you're getting it at $200 not $500.

No, your getting the phone for $200 upfront plus $15 of your monthly fee for 24 months pays for the difference. If you believe that vzw is eating $300 that's crazy. Look at T-Mo. No subsidy and lower monthly service fee.

 

[cybertec69]

No. Vzw is using the delay to lock down this phone. Mark my words and wait for this forum to explode with threads complaining about the locked bootloader. Not to mention the fact that HTC has already announced a developer edition!? You've been warned folks.

They are locking it down regardless if it came tomorrow or two months from now, Verizon locks all their phones, they are the big bad LTE champion, they can do whatever they please, LOL, bunch of crock if you ask me.

 

[cybertec69]

agreed, but you're getting it at $200 not $500. after the contract is up you should be able to unlock the phone, but by then most people arent interested in their phone anymore, they're eyeing the next best thing. that's how they keep us hooked. most people aren't willing to shell out that kind of money upfront.

There is plenty of people shelling that money up front to not be tied to the carrier for two years, and if you look at the new T-Mobile plans, no more subsidized phones, you buy the phone and just sign up to their network. Subsidized phones are starting to be a big loss for the telcos. Verizon has said they will be going the same route in 2014, the subsidized phone plans will be no more very soon.