Sprint's Motorola Q9 / Q9c gone for good?

First things first: this isn't the first time (in the past quarter) that we've seen a handset vanish from Sprint's website, only to get fanboys riled up and it reappear days later when stock refreshed. That being said, quite a few Q9 / Q9c users are thinking the smartphone may be gone for good from The Now Network. For starters, neither phone is listed on Sprint's website. Furthermore, we're hearing reports that "discontinuation" has been confirmed by a number of Sprint representatives, though no official word seems to have leaked out just yet. Curiously enough, the carrier just posted the Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the Q9c earlier this month, giving us at least a reason to believe the lights aren't shut out entirely just yet.

[Via GearDiary]

[JAmerican @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:42AM]

I was going to pick this up because my T-Mobile Dash broke and T-Mobile is being an A-hole. I've been with them since VoiceStream and they want to treat me like this. I just hope the Touch Pro makes its way here soon

[JAmerican @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:46AM]

Let's see...

1) No physical keyboard
2) iTunes only syncing
3) Locked into AT&T for 2-years.
4) No way to develop apps on it officially without using Mac OS X
5) Those developed apps can't run in the background.
6) No Office (Word/Excel) edit capability.
7) No replaceable battery.

Should I continue. Don't forget the high monthly cost due to the Apple Tax.

[JayMonster @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:53AM]

Verizon just did something similar, as it seems the Q9m is being replaced with a (suprisingly enough) a Q9c. So perhaps there is a refresh of the Q9c line going on with Motorola.

[james rose @ Jun 23rd 2008 8:58AM]

and don't forget $5 for every 200 txt messages you want to send

[Dave @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:02AM]

There are other packages besides the $5 package, don't be naive.

[raptor87 @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:01AM]

Original Q is gone as well. Guess no hope for a winmo 6 upgrade now

[Dave @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:02AM]

Yeah, I work for AT&T Mobility, and we're phasing out the Q9 by the end of this month as well.

[CromwellD @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:25AM]

So, just because AT&T is phasing the Q9c out, that means Sprint is?

[Dave @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:30AM]

No, I was just pointing out the fact that we are getting ready to EOL the Q9, so it doesn't surprise me to hear that other carriers are doing the same thing. Why so hostile?

[Jared @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:04AM]

We'd all be better off if ALL motocrapola phones were gone for good.

[Brandon @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:09AM]

it's true, gone for good!

i heard it in a meeting last week.

[natels @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:25AM]

I do believe something was said about Microsoft Office interaction with the iPhone.. But don't get me wrong, I do not have one nor want one.

[Shane @ Jun 23rd 2008 9:47AM]

This is interesting considering US Cellular and Alltel will have both just released the Q9c in lime and licorice colors within the month of June.

[initialxy @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:03AM]

is this guy some kind of bot that hasn't passed Turing test? Engadget should ask users to enter a security code from a fuzzy image from now on.

[Vcize @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:24AM]

Gah, this would not be good.

I'm elligible for an upgrade but I was hoping to wait for the HTC Touch Pro to come out so I could compare that to the Q9 and pick one. Looks like I'll have to make that decision before ever getting to hold a Touch Pro now :\

[DC @ Jun 23rd 2008 11:23AM]

Just got a message from my Sprint rep, the Sprint MotoQ9c has been discontinued.

[Grant @ Jun 23rd 2008 12:54PM]

I wish Verizon would stop adding these phones any time motorola cranks out a minor hardware revision and maybe offer winmo 6 to the Q owners who don't have it.
I have an original Q, and all of us got burned the second they released a new version. I like my Q, but the fact that verizon doesn't give a shit to release any updates and just keeps changing to the newest hardware with no real changes outside of the keyboard and colorings annoys the hell out of me.
I'm def. gonna change to a HTC touch pro when it comes around, but if verizon doesn't pick it up, i'm just going to burn down my local verizon store in protest.

[Dr. Evil @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:51PM]

Is that you Milton?

Calm down. We found your red Swingline stapler.

[mbuck @ Jun 23rd 2008 1:41PM]

Verizon's website lists the Q9c as out of stock.

[Andrew @ Jun 23rd 2008 2:02PM]

As a current Sprint Q owner, let me say Thank God, it's about time. I hate my Q more and more with each passing day. Perhaps now it will break and I can have it replaced with something less awful.

[Vosko @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:52PM]

i have a sprint q with TEP. i wonder how long it will be till they dont have anymore replacements... i hate this phone so much! i would to get a touch pro

[Georgi @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:06PM]

My rep just said this is true :( She has not idea why either....

[sam @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:36PM]

I have had both the Q and the Q9c. The Q was the worst phone I ever had and the Q9c has been the best. Completely different phones. I am sad to see the Q9c go, the Q should have never been released.

[Dr. Evil @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:54PM]

I have the Verizon Q9m. It's a decent phone but for some reason Moto decided not to have a hard reset button somewhere on the device. Dumb.

[Scott @ Jun 23rd 2008 7:07PM]

They do, turn your phone off. Turn it back on while holding the center button. It will give you the option to hard reset.

[Dr. Evil @ Jun 24th 2008 9:00PM]

Nice. Thanks, thats not in the doc.

[engadgetier @ Jun 23rd 2008 4:55PM]

lol. i saw a commercial for that today on tv....

[Shawn @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:39PM]

I got my Q9c from Sprint about a month ago. My bets are on a new stock of Q9c's with WM 6.1, all the old ones were 6.0.