HTC Thunderbolt Release Date

[mg2380]

[FONT=&quot]I know some people are squawking at the $250 on contract price for the Thunderbolt, but think about this. If Verizon doesn’t jack up the price for 4G (the current rumor) think of the money you’ll save over the course of two years (heck even one year)… [/FONT]

 

[SixStringMadMan]

Just release the phone already! I have been off contract since July 10 waiting for an upgrade. I have a $100 dollar upgrade credit burning a hole in my account :icon_evil:

 

[dll1477]

A corporate rep told me that BB made a deal with Verizon. Verizon would get to promote and push the iPhone and BB would promote and push the Thunderbolt until the iPhone craze dies down then Verizon will start selling it. Verizon really does not make money off the phones its the contracts that they get their money from. So to allow BB to sell a phone before they do is no problem for Verizon because they still get the contract.

I don't get why Verizon would have to cut a deal with BB....why couldn't they just promote the iPhone 4 and the TB?

Sent from my DROID2 using DroidForums App

I'm convinced it's an evil ploy by apple to get us to buy the iphone4.

folks -- this is not difficult, and dlwhtrose is spot on. Moreover I think the Apple legal machine has contractully bound VZW to not allow customers to return their 3G iduds for something thing better, within the return window. This used to be 30 days but for all we know VZW shortend it to 14 days just so they could expose better phones sooner after ihype day. in any case, WZW can't say boo about the TB without making Apple lawers salivate, so thats why they are silent, and thats why we are hearing all the chatter from BB and online folks. ok and some me-too chatter from the rumor sites who get paid by page hits, not factually correct information...

the deal with BB is designed to generate the chatter, keep us interested, and reward those who pay attention with information that keeps us patiently waiting until the required number of ihype days have passed. My read is also that the continued confusion over the release date has its basis in legal challenges or (minimally) legal interpretations of the contract between VZW and Apple. If they find a loophole that allows BB to sell their inventory before the 24th, and VZW is allowed to activate the phone, it will be truly extraordinary.

 

[dlwhtrose]

Well here is an additional take (on my part). We know that we will get the phone before the 26th because the Thunderbolt is on the paper that BB is handing out giving details of their By Back program. Now Since the program ends on the 26th, they can't sell us a phone that is suppose to be included in the program after the program ends.

So I am still saying that the TB will be available on the 14th for those that pre-ordered through BB and that the TB will be available for everyone else and possibly even through Verizon on the 24th. That is my gut feeling and I guess we will see in a few days.

 

[dll1477]

Well here is an additional take (on my part). We know that we will get the phone before the 26th because the Thunderbolt is on the paper that BB is handing out giving details of their By Back program. Now Since the program ends on the 26th, they can't sell us a phone that is suppose to be included in the program after the program ends.

So I am still saying that the TB will be available on the 14th for those that pre-ordered through BB and that the TB will be available for everyone else and possibly even through Verizon on the 24th. That is my gut feeling and I guess we will see in a few days.

good take. the pre-order is probably another legal maneuver/loophole to get TB's on the air before the 24th, assuming VZW is contractually allowed to activate them. It will be fascinating to see if it really goes down that way!

 

[P7M8]

[FONT=&quot] If Verizon doesn’t jack up the price for 4G (the current rumor) think of the money you’ll save over the course of two years (heck even one year)… [/FONT]

You can't save money based on what could have been.

 

[Sara77]

I just called BB and they put me on hold for ten minutes after I asked if I could set up a time to pick my pre-ordered thunderbolt up on Monday the 14th. After being on hold a couple of times of them re-answering during my wait they said, "Mam, he will be right with you - he is making a phone call to find out." When he got on the line he said, "Mam, everything points to the 14th - it is what our system currently says and we will make phone calls as soon as we get the device." I then asked if there was a possibility that they could have the phone's out before Verizon's launch and he said, "Unfortunately, we cannot do that and have to wait for Verizon to launch this phone as well." So, now what?

 

[asu23justice]

Just went to best buy's website and went to mobile phones, then the Q&A section at the bottom. Typed in Thunderbolt and saw this answer from someone who emailed them a question (meaning they had time to look into it and get an answer) - the answer was given 2 days ago...and it's the national website, not store specific.

Answers
Hi! Thanks for your question.

We will carry the HTC Thunderbolt on February 14. I do not have a price yet.

If you have any further questions on this issue or would like to speak with a live agent, please call: 1-888-BESTBUY
2 days agoPosted by: jenBBYMobile

 

[georgek]

It'll probably launch at Best Buy and Verizon on the same day. I would think it's the 24th. Time will tell.

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[viper1549]

Confirmed: HTC Thunderbolt is $249 on 2-year Contract, $749 Full Retail - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

Serious shenanigans....$50 more than the 2-yr price on 3G phones that retail for over $150 less! Blatant manipulation of the retail price...Na-nah-nannnanna-na you can't afford retail you WILL sign in blood for 2-yrs.

If they want sales, they will drop the price. They will see. This is a bad time to be trying to sell a phone of any type at that rediculous price

Maybe they figure teasing everyone for the last 5 months will make you buy this phone regardless of price..

Im ok with the 2year price the 32 GB card already makes it worth the extra 50 bucks.. let alone all internal upgrades compared to say a DX..

Retail however is retarded, id buy the xoom for 50 bucks more before paying that retail on a phone a 5th of a tablets size (esp with Tablet having way better specs) but that doesnt apply to someone who needs a phone

 

[viper1549]

what's bs is the Atrix is going for $199.99 on a 2 year. BS I say!!!!!

does the atrix come with 32 GB card? :icon_eek:

 

[guitarchris123]

Serious shenanigans....$50 more than the 2-yr price on 3G phones that retail for over $150 less! Blatant manipulation of the retail price...Na-nah-nannnanna-na you can't afford retail you WILL sign in blood for 2-yrs.

If they want sales, they will drop the price. They will see. This is a bad time to be trying to sell a phone of any type at that rediculous price

Maybe they figure teasing everyone for the last 5 months will make you buy this phone regardless of price..

Im ok with the 2year price the 32 GB card already makes it worth the extra 50 bucks.. let alone all internal upgrades compared to say a DX..

Retail however is retarded, id buy the xoom for 50 bucks more before paying that retail on a phone a 5th of a tablets size (esp with Tablet having way better specs) but that doesnt apply to someone who needs a phone

Good point, but I need to pocket my device, make phone calls, and text, in addition to internet and apps. And if LTE does turn out to be the same price as 3G at first, that combined with the microSD totally makes up for the large cost.

what's bs is the Atrix is going for $199.99 on a 2 year. BS I say!!!!!

does the atrix come with 32 GB card? :icon_eek:

No, but a 16GB is certainly possible. I think the X came with one.

 

[viper1549]

ugh im about ready to bite on the droid x. $300 without contract.

dont do it, the x is cool and all but its def outdated in comparison to the TB

 

[StinkyPete]

Check out this BB's facebook...it says the 18th now.

lol, wut?

Best Buy #344 Fashion Center Mall/Paramus, NJ | Facebook

Same Best Buy that tweeted the 17th last night, haha.

Sent from my DROID2 using DroidForums App

Well folks... that is my local BB. I could always swing over and ask them on Saturday AM and report back....

 

[viper1549]

im just sad because this time last week i thought i would have the TB by monday.. and 2 more weeks it is.. blah..

I have been following this since the first thread about Inc HD (as many have) and im really really getting sick of waiting..

I must say if they keep unlimited plan with 4G will make it worth it.. Mobile Hotspot for free is cool but id be getting it for free anyway once it got rooted.