T-Mobile's SDA and MDA get prices and dates

We're pretty sure some of you are well sick of hearing about T-Mobile's forthcoming MDA and SDA Windows Mobile handhelds due out next month -- but for those whose attention we've still got, we have solid prices and still  somewhat tentative release dates for ya. Expect the SDA (aka the HTC Tornado) to run you $299.99 , and for it to probably be released on February 13th, and the MDA (the HTC Wizard) will set you back $399.99 and should probably be released a week later on February 20th. Whomever said the best things in life are free obviously wasn't addicted to cellphones.

[Corey @ Jan 24th 2006 9:43AM]

Ouch thats expensive.. gonna break the bank on those.

[Zer0Her0 @ Jan 24th 2006 9:46AM]

Haha, Engadget for the win again, Just opened up my slew of gadget and cell phone sites to see if I could find out a tentative price/release date for the MDA and what is the top article on engadget but the exact info I'm looking for.

[Jimi @ Jan 24th 2006 9:55AM]

Ouch is right. Doesn't really stop me from buying them though. =) Might wait until a full review comes out somewhere from them about the phone on T-Mobile.

[Gambit410 @ Jan 24th 2006 10:15AM]

Man i was hoping for at least $100 less for each. Oh well no new phone for me yet.

[Barstad @ Jan 24th 2006 10:23AM]

Excellent! Since there's a good chance that my Crackberry is not going to have service soon, maybe T-Mobile will replace it with one of these.

[mroach @ Jan 24th 2006 10:35AM]

Hrm. I suppose the biggest thing I have to wrestle now is whether or not to get it from T-Mobile. I was hoping that they would have a great price on it, and for that I wouldn't mind getting back in a contract. But for $300 and presumably a two year contract, I'd probably rather pony up the extra $200 and buy a Qtek 9100 outright, unlocked, unbranded, and keeping me out of contract.

[PEZ @ Jan 24th 2006 11:41AM]

mroach - T-Mobile dosn't have 2 year contracts.

[Subliminal Fusion @ Jan 24th 2006 12:11PM]

PEZ - You're wrong. T-Mobile now is pushing 2 year contracts. In fact, that's all that's available when you look at the upgrade prices online- the only way to get a 1 year is to call up CS. What's even worse is that the 2 year contracts don't give significant savings over the 1 year contracts (IIRC it was around $30 difference, not worth it at all IMHO).

[mistashady @ Jan 24th 2006 12:24PM]

pez-yes t-mobile does have 2yrs contracts now..i just upgraded my girls phone and got a 2yr extention

[boe @ Jan 24th 2006 12:25PM]

Wasn't Cingular supposed to have something?

[Scott Batura @ Jan 24th 2006 1:32PM]

Still no news on a camera-less version? I thought about importing the cameraless SDA from Germany, but it doesn't have edge or WM 5.0

[CWY @ Jan 24th 2006 2:35PM]

Damm... I was hoping for $199 for the SDA with a contract extension. Guess I'm going to have to stay with my SMT5600 for a little longer.

[Ratteler @ Jan 24th 2006 6:28PM]

Where's the Universal!!!! I want my DAG GAM! Universal!!! I'll go $599 for a legit US release of the Universal. $499 would be better of course.

Some of us willuse a pocket laptop with built in Wifi more than a phone.

[Jeff @ Jan 24th 2006 7:58PM]

But what it doesn't say is if these prices are before or after discounts for new contracts/upgrades. I think that if the sda is $300 then $199 might be resonable for a new contract.

[Fone_Fonatic @ Jan 24th 2006 9:52PM]

wow, everyones complaining about the price... THIS IS CHEAP i bought my imate k-jam (which is the exact same thing) for $730 2 months ago.
also yah the cpu is slow, but with a couple tweaks it runs beautifully.
heres a really good review, this is the reveiw that convinced me to buy my k-jam

[Fone_Fonatic @ Jan 24th 2006 9:54PM]

forgot to post the link
http://pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=710&p=1

[DzNutz @ Jan 25th 2006 2:27AM]

Its really too bad we cant get more phone options like these on the CDMA EV-DO networks. Sprint needs to hurry up and come out with some cool smartphones.

[MrMiles @ Jan 25th 2006 5:13AM]

I got my MDA for free when I signed up for a new, 25% discounted, 18 month contract with T-Mobile here in the UK. I've had it for two weeks now, and so far, am pretty pleased with it.

[star-trek-boy @ Jan 25th 2006 9:20AM]

"T-Mobile's SDA and MDA get prices and dates"

i wish i could get a date.

[iknow, iknow @ Jan 25th 2006 10:52PM]

WHAT IS THE OS ON THE U.S. MODELS? WINDOWS 5.0??

ARE THEY RELEASING BOTH THE BUSINESS AND MUSIC MODELS?

ANYONE HERE HAVE ANY REAL INFO OR IS THIS THE KIDS FORUM? CHRIST'S SAKE, CUT BACK ON BEER AND CIGARETTES FOR 2 WEEKS AND YOU'LL MAKE UP THE $100 DIFFERENCE.

[blackarmband @ Jan 26th 2006 9:21PM]

Spoke to a rep, there's now a link for pre-reg http://www.t-mobile.com/bethefirst

[Paul @ Jan 27th 2006 12:02PM]

I'm interested in seeing comparison shots between the MDA and other PocketPCs, PPC Phone Editions. How big is this thing compared to the iPaq 6315?

[Stephanie @ Jan 30th 2006 10:31AM]

The MDA is compairable to the HP 6315 just a lot smaller and has the full thumb keyboard. I work for tmobile and I'll tell u all that these phones will b more likely at full price with a one yr contract and about $50. To mayb $100. less with a 2yr. This usually happens when new phones come out their not discounted too much yet, but since these phones are made by and for tmobile mayb it'll be a lil more cheaper with the 2yr contract. We haven't gotten word on the prices excatly with the contacts yet.

[TJ @ Jan 30th 2006 10:12PM]

When will this device have UMA service? Do, I have to get a data plan with this, or can I use the $5.99 T-MobileWeb plan using the proxy?

[Chris.C @ Jan 31st 2006 5:40AM]

I purchase the HP6315 and I major problem, I purchase it at T-Mobile for $525.00. Know the SDA (aka the HTC Tornado) to run you $299.99 , and for it to probably be released on February 13th, and the MDA (the HTC Wizard) will set you back $399.99 and should probably be released a week later on February 20th.

[Kzbd @ Jan 31st 2006 1:29PM]

It sure would be nice if someone would come out with a snap on keyboard for the SDA, I would so be on the Cingular 2125 if such a thing were available. I'm pretty new to cell phone enthusiasm. I'm using a Sierra VOQ right now, which I like but I wish it had bluetooth and or SDIO, major drawbacks really. I don't know if this is a suitable place to rant, but I don't understand why I don't see anyone complaining about the devices and plans that we're offered here in the US, I kind of wonder if it's a subject that you guys already have beaten to death and it's kind of a given(?). Yeah one more thing, what's with the cost of data plans on PDA's and smartphones? I don't believe that the data is any different than regular cell phones, so why do the data plans cost so much more? OK I lied, one more thing, how come with all the cheapish qwerty phones(for instance you can get a nokia 6800 for free or buy one for $100.00 unlocked) is there not one qwerty smartphone in production, except to push users up to $400+ devices often forcing the user to buy an expensive datea plan to get even that price?

[Keith @ Feb 2nd 2006 2:47PM]

The T-Mo SDA runs Windows Mobile 5.0 according to the CNet video review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/T_Mobile_SDA/4505-6452_7-31678157.html

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[New Cell @ Feb 15th 2006 11:20AM]

I'm looking to upgrade so I got some prices on these two phones

-SDA for a 1yr contract will be 319.99 for a 2yr contract will be 249.99.

-MDA 349.99 1yr contract and 299.99 for a 2yr contract

these prices are not great but what can you do.

[Ken McCoy @ Feb 20th 2006 10:48AM]

Looked at the SDA and the MDA... they are avail 2 day. Had major problems with the SK 2, looking hard @ ther MDA(I push a ton of data). I am going to check into options i.e. 2 year, 1 year price difference. i am glad that I found this post area. I also found out my contacts from the SK2 are on the sim card to no changes necessary( the TMo rep thought thaT i would lose my tmail email(not so according to tech support!!!!!! Cool.

[Jacquie @ Feb 21st 2006 9:51AM]

Ken-was the MDA available by phone to TMo? I haven't seen it on their site yet. I hate calling customer service. :op I wish they'd post the MDA info already! GOSH!

[Isaac @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:29PM]

Got my hands on both of these at my T-mobile store last night. They had SDAs in the back, but were out of stock on the MDA all over. That is looking like the fast flyer for now....I can verify that the price is SDA $249 w/ new 2yr, $319 w/ 1yr extension, $379 alone. Add $100 to all those for the MDA.

Really impressed with the quality of casing on both machines and the small size of each. Even the MDA is much much smaller and lighter than your average iPaq or Treo. The SDA is smaller than a Nokia 6010 -- quite an acceptable size for a candy bar phone.

The interesting thing is that, while the SDA allows you to navigate all screens and apps from the TINY nav keys below the screen, the MDA requires you to interact with it more like a PDA - many selections like the Windows Start bar accessible only by tapping the screen with your stylus or fingernail. Keyboard felt good and plenty roomy - though I had a hard time figuring out the shift and symbol buttons. Chalk that up to a first time QWERTY user. I've done really well so far with T9, and am not sure if I would get the benefit out of the full keyboard. It still feels like a PDA, not a phone, next to my head.

[Jacquie @ Feb 23rd 2006 1:09PM]

Ok, the MDA was added to the TMo site on Tuesday afternoon. I went to check on it, and the page wasn't loading and I thought whoo hoo! Sure enough, 3 minutes later I was able to reload it, and there it was. They didn't even have the MDA graphic up yet when I clicked the 'upgrade' button. lol.

Here's what's absolutely amazing to me. I added overnight shipping as my old phone (Motorola A630)was broken (keypads stopped functioning) weeks ago and I've been waiting to order this thing. I placed my order at about 4 pm Central time on Tuesday. By Wednesday at 11 AM UPS was at my door! I was SHOCKED. I am bright enough to know that 'overnight shipping' doesn't mean the order will be processed and ready to go right away or even a day or two later - but holy cow! I've NEVER had anything delivered in 18 hours.

I am in school and have tests this week so I haven't monkeyed with the phone much yet but so far am impressed with it. I do agree with you Isaac, it does feel like you're putting a PDA to your head, or maybe a Bose speaker. lol. It's a little weird and I usually use the speakerphone. Once I'm no longer destitute from this purchase, I'll opt for the bluetooth headset.

Other than that, I am loving all the functionality! The release timing was great as my phone was broke, and I stepped on my Palm and broke the LCD into a lava-lamp like oil slick inside. It was nice to replace both devices with one slick one.

The speed with which they processed my order has redeemed TMo somewhat with me but I am still a bit irritated with the pricing. If you don't login to MY TMo, and look at the phone - for new customers, it's listed at $399 with a $50 mail in rebate. Under the Upgrade section of My TMo, it was listed at $400++ to upgrade without extending the contract (I can't get to that page now, so I can't remember the exact price). And with the 2 year extension it brought the price down to joe-blow-off-the-street's price. Kinda rank.

Anyway, I didn't really care about the price as long as it was under $400. It would cost me at least that much to replace my old phone and Palm and get at least the same functionality - and this phone give me that, and alot more.

[Lisa @ Feb 23rd 2006 3:12PM]

My boyfreind and I also bought MDAs on Tuesdsay. I paid 349.00 with a 2 year contrat upgrade. grr! They said I would have to order the phone over the phone with customer care to get the one year.. and I guess I am not that patient. My boyfreind added a line onto our contract and he paid 399.00 with a 50.00 mail in rebate. We have been sidekick users for the past 3 years, and avid ones at that. We are text/IMaholics (as most deaf people, or hearing people with deaf boyfreinds are.. ahah).. and this is the first phone we have swithced over to. I am kinda pissed because I can't move my @tmail.com addy over to the MDA. I have tried setting up Gmail... can recieve emails, but not send. Customer support is stumped. grrr. All my sidekick info from my simcard did not transfer over either.

Other than that, it seems like a great device! The screen is crystal clear, and webpages look awesome. The keyboard is very easy to use! The camera and video are ok, its fun to send videos back and forth. the only problem is the video messages are like 2 seconds long.. I am not sure if that is standard? We were under the impression that we could send signed messages... apparently not. The internet is also pretty fast (more so than the sidekick).

I am still testing it out, but I am pretty sure it is a kepper, just as long as I get some of the bugs worked out.

;-)
Lisa

[Fariah Ahmed @ Feb 23rd 2006 3:57PM]

This is awesome! Give me!!

[Jennifer @ Mar 13th 2006 4:31PM]

Hey Lisa,

Thanks for that review! I too have been a Sidekick user for years and I just upgraded to the MDA. I should be receiving it tomorrow. I have one question, I don't mind that I have to change my tmail.com address, in fact, that's a plus for me since I was getting so much spam, but is there a tmail.com address available on the phone? You said you were using gmail so I wanted to be sure. I use my tmail alot. PLMK

Thanks!

[carmen @ Apr 28th 2006 2:44AM]

I got my mda for 249.99 and my friend got hers for 199.99, and all we did was upgrade and renew our contracts for 2 years

[T-MobileWeb on your SDA and laptop @ May 19th 2006 10:32PM]

I had one person tell me that T-Mobile tell you that if you want unlimited internet on your new SDA or MDA (or any windows media Smartphone) you have to buy their $29.99 plan (which does include Wifi in Borders & Starbucks)

But what they don't tell you is that you can get their "T-MobileWeb" for $5.99 of unlimited Internet, POP3 Email and Instant Messengers (but only if you hook it up to your laptop)

Check it out at:
http://www.gruups.com/tzones/

Enjoy

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