We
heard last week when Sprint launched the
HTC Touch Pro at "select national retailers" that the device would be available online on November 2nd. Well, it's November 2nd, and they've kept their promise. The base retail price of the QWERTY smartphone is $579.99, but an "instant savings" of $180 combined with a $100 mail-in-rebate brings the price down to palatable $299.99 (with a 2-year agreement, needless to say). Of course, if you're really starved for human contact, you could always head over to a Sprint store and buy one in person, too.
Update: Had a little trouble with those read links -- all fixed now.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DrzNight @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:32PM
I think I'll hold out on this one
Jinto @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:32PM
(Your read link is broken)
Jinto @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:34PM
And the open in new window link as well, but we smart web-dwellers can remove the extra "http:// ".
Defiler @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:32PM
Ordered mine last night!!! Can't wait...for lock ups, reboots, and all sorts of related fun!!!! ;)
Derek @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:11PM
I have had none of these issues with the Diamond ;)
2fast4u2fast4u @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:40PM
I don't understand you. Nobody does...
Abuzar Baloach @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:37PM
Derek, how do you like the Diamond?
I'm in T-Mobile right now, but I would switch to Sprint if they didn't have the ugly version of the Diamond. Right now that's the only thing holding me back. They should have had the regular sexy version.
PynkFloydd @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:40PM
@ Abuzar Baloach:
I switched from Sprint's Mogul to the Diamond and it's a world of difference. I actually hated the Mogul (with a passion). I had all of the above mentioned lockups and restarts with the Mogul. The Diamond has really been the perfect phone for me.
The touch keyboard takes a few days to get used to but, compact QWERTY with SureType really is quicker than the actual physical keyboard. The only negative of the onscreen keyboard over the physical is that you lose some screen real estate when you type (since the touch keyboard covers most of the screen while active).
So far, I've had zero problems and you get used to the dark maroon back. My biggest complaint is that the phone (and all accessories) is high gloss and you can't keep fingerprints off of this thing! ...and battery life is about a day with light use.
Overall, the phone is awesome. The resolution is insane! Even YouTube videos (on the high quality setting) are crystal clear. After using it for a few weeks, you really get a feel for how much thought was put into the design. There are tons of shortcuts and TouchFlo3d handles most of the major functions (to a basic degree). Calls come through crystal clear and no dropped calls. EVDO Rev.A is fast and Opera Mobile handles everything great. The music app takes some getting used to but, it's not a deal breaker. The camera takes great pics/video (for a cell phone). The phone fits in your hand perfectly and once you get used to the screen, you don't need the stylus at all. You can pretty much do everything on the phone with one hand.
I really didn't like the last generation of HTC products but, they've shown that they're capable of great things with their latest releases. I'm definitely glad that I got the Diamond...
boe @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:43PM
I wonder if the battery lasts more than half a day. Many people with the keyboardless version of this phone (the Diamond) can't even keep their phone alive for half a day without charging it. Same people were able to go a full day with the Touch and the Mogul.
Phoenix @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:12PM
It has a larger battery.
boe @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:29PM
Some forums with many threads about the crappy battery life on the Sprint tainted HTC phones. Do a search there are many more than just one per forum
http://forums.buzzaboutwireless.com/baw/board?board.id=SmartPhones
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=66
http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/htc-diamond
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=449
1340 mah battery, 1350 for a Touch Pro - that is about a 1% increase in battery life - I don't think you'll get a lot of extra time with this phone unless it isn't defective like the Sprint Diamond is.
holycow @ Nov 2nd 2008 7:20PM
The batteries of the new HTC's sold in NA are larger than the ones sold elsewhere, as a consequence they have the uglier back and are fatter. So you won't have any battery problems.
boe @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:21PM
The HTC units sold elsewhere use GSM which draws less power about a 900mah battery. The Diamond is the CDMA version which has a 1340mah which only lasts about half a day if you have e-mail enabled even though the mogul and the touch didn't have that issue. Perhaps if you read any of the posts with the word battery in it listed above you'll find that the LARGER, FATTER, UGLIER US version only lasts half a day as stated by so many posts in the threads above. The US version is NOT better than the thinner European version, it is in fact worse due to -
Bad radio version implemented by Sprint
Bad heat dissipation
Bad BT stack
Bad 911 locator service
Bad code causing data connections to stay open up to 10 minutes after the initial data session is no longer active
sean @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:14PM
I got this phone last Thursday, and so far, I can tell you that the battery life, for me, is lasting about 25 hours per charge. That includes phone, copious texting, and web surfing via both WiFi and EVDO.
Of course I've only had it since thursday so you could rightfully point out that it's too soon to tell.
nizzy1115 @ Nov 2nd 2008 11:57PM
my mogul (ppc 6800 from us cellular) has a 1500 battery and lasts about a day of use.
boe @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:16AM
Sean - glad you are having good luck. Can you please tell me if you have push e-mail enabled. This is one of the problems with the Diamond. Since push happens frequently, the 10 minute connection before timeout means it is pretty much non stop using power for data. Hopefully you will say you have push enabled as I'd love to think the new phone works well. FYI the Touch and Mogul don't have this power issue - it is unique to the Diamond so far.
Scrotum @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:26PM
I have 2 push mail programs running, an exchange server and sprint mobile email. My battery life is nowhere near what I was getting on my Sprint Touch.
Scraggs @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:43PM
I've had mine for a week already, its a great device.
collegekid13 @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:48PM
So will device work on Bell Canada because Sprints are usually Bells.
holycow @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:21PM
Telus has had it for awhile now, so it should be out on Bell soon enough.
collegekid13 @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:00PM
thanks, i forgot to check telus.
beej @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:08AM
@ holycow:
you are completely wrong. Telus does not have the Touch Pro as of yet.
http://www.telusmobility.com/nf/pcs/data.shtml
Chris Taylor @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:55PM
Why do people have to respond like that. Your completely Wrong. Let me help you a bit here. Its called Civility.
@Holeycown
Hey man I think you might be mistaken. I went to there page
http://www.telusmobility.com/nf/pcs/data.shtml
and I could not find the touch pro. Is it possibly available by another means?
Would that have been so hard? Heck I can even do it in less words so it would be easier.
@ Holycow
I think you might be mistaken?
http://www.telusmobility.com/nf/pcs/data.shtml
Really? do you simply HAVE to use such inflammatory wording?
Its almost like you too PLEASURE in correcting him and telling him how completely wrong he is.
Fade2blac @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:48PM
I've been waiting a long time for this day to come! My aching thumbs will finally be given a break from the mini Centro keyboard!
tkid92 @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:44PM
I have stopped myself from smashing my centro everyday for months... this may be the answer (the $$$ gone from my bank account is going to hurt tho)
Benny @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:51PM
I have a question about its video player. I'm a current palm user who is considering the move to windows mobile. Specifically I'm wondering about its video player, as I typically watch a tv show on my treo when I'm at the gym. How well does this phone support video playing? Does the video play play in landscape mode (sideways) with the keyboard closed? What video formats does it support? None of the reviews I have read have addressed this.
Also, I'm a current At&t customer who would consider a move to sprint. Now I know this phone will be on AT&T as well, but does anyone know if the processor is the same on both? Are there any features lost in choosing the Sprint Touch Pro or the At&t fuze?
nbollinger @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:26PM
You'll need to pickup Coreplayer. It's hands down is the best video player for any mobile device. It just about plays any video format out there and it is gpu accelerated which it can utilize within the touch pro. You'll more than likely won't even have to convert videos for playback which is a huge plus in my book.
Flurry @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:00PM
Yes the video will play in landscape mode. And it will look REALLY good. I dont think AT&T is gonna dumb the fuze down just because of the amount of CPU and RAM needed to run the thing. Any CPU switch will cause some serious slowdowns.
PynkFloydd @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:11PM
HTC's Album viewer supports Animated GIF, 3GP, MP4 and WMV formats. Windows Media Player Mobile supports Windows Media Video (wmv, asf), MPEG4 Simple Profile (mp4), H.263 (3gp, 3g2), H.264 (mp4, 3gp, 3g2, m4v) and Motion JPEG (avi). There are tons of other options available since Windows Mobile lets you install whatever you want.
When I was looking at plans, Sprint was WAY cheaper than anyone else. I'm paying $49/month for 1250 minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, unlimited texting, unlimited EVDO Rev.A, and unlimited mobile-to-mobile. I don't think that plan is available anymore because they switched to the all-inclusive pricing but, they're still WAY cheaper than any other carrier and their coverage is great. ...no dropped calls and dead spots like AT&T. For the same phone, I'd definitely go with Sprint.
Tayley @ Nov 2nd 2008 5:58PM
this is my comment
Jinto @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:10PM
so insightful
/strongbad voice
Arke @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:07PM
And this is my comment.
PynkFloydd @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:24PM
...there are many like it but this one is mine.
My comment is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
Without me, my comment is useless.
Without my comment, I am useless.
I must submit my comment true.
I must submit faster than my enemy who is trying to ridicule me.
I must comment on him before he comments on me. I will.
Before God, I swear this creed. My comment and myself are defenders of this blog.
We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy but, peace
Graham @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:10PM
Got mine at Bestbuy yesterday. Loving it!!! Check Bestbuy.com to see if your local store has them in stock. I was so excited to find out my store had 10.
digitallysick @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:17PM
Overall do you like it? compared to lets say the Iphone or G1 (if you have used either)
iEye @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:11PM
a CDMA locked down phone for how much?
anybody who purchases this is just perpetuating the sale and development of crappy electronics...
result = MOTOFAIL
iPhone.
Graham @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:28PM
How is this phone locked down? I can install any app I want on it out of box... Unlike some phones that have to unlocked or dare I say Jail broken...
CDMA is fine if you don't leave the US (well you could go to India I suppose), EVDO Rev A, is amazing and fast!!!
The price is easily subesdized with contracts and rebates. Sure it can end up being $300 like what I paid for it, but considering I have the freedom of any apps I want. The ability to copy and paste, and mod it however the hell I want... And I can use it on the career I want, ya know the one that I can have my $30 SERO plan, have unlimited Data and text, instead of a plan that costs me $50 a month more with a similar device on another provider (and I still don't get my copy and paste). It's an okay price... not a great one, but it's a brand new device... I'm sure in 6 months time it will be cheaper. But I couldn't wait.
computer.dude.28 @ Nov 2nd 2008 10:37PM
Excuse me, Canada also has CDMA + EVDO
Dubb @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:29PM
@Graham
Can you tell me how you got this with your SERO plan for $300? Sprint won't let me upgrade my phone online anymore, it says I need to switch to a Simply Everything plan before I can upgrade.
I have the $30 SERO plan currently.
PynkFloydd @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:40PM
@Dubb:
I'm on the $49/month SERO plan. I got my Diamond on eBay. I used Microsoft's Live Cashback promotion (sign up and then search for eBay and look up the Diamond). You have to use Buy It Now but, you get 30% off. I ended up paying around $250 for it right when it came out (I think the Buy It Now was like $379 with free shipping).
http://search.live.com/cashback
Just sign up there and then go to live.com. Type in Touch Diamond, search and just click on one of the first links with a gold coin next to it. It works on anything. The maximum discount you get on eBay is $200 and it takes 60 days for it to process (so do the stupid mail-in carrier rebates though). I think the max items per year you can use this on is like 6 or something. ...if you've got big ticket items (like laptops) that you're gonna buy for Christmas, you might want to use this too.
Just make sure to get a reputable seller and use PayPal!
I called and activated with no problems. ...and I'm still on SERO.
TheNewmanDynasty @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:15PM
Uhh I've had my Touch Pro for about a week now...Best Buy sold these way in advance...
Yankees368 @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:20PM
"We heard last week when Sprint launched the HTC Touch Pro at "select national retailers" that the device would be available online on November 2nd. "
Good reading skills.
TheNewmanDynasty @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:26PM
I read the article.
I'm just pointing out that some people have had it for a week now...
Rogue_Genius @ Nov 2nd 2008 8:55PM
Thanks captain obvious. For both of your insightful comments.
cwj @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:14PM
Does a week qualify as "way"?
Have fun with it.
sean @ Nov 2nd 2008 9:17PM
Best Buy doesn't sell Sprint nationwide.
jae soon @ Nov 2nd 2008 11:22PM
for those who bought the Touch Pro from Best Buy, are yours locked to Sprint or any provider? Because the Touch Pro is sold around US$800ish in Asia, I'm wondering if the $500ish pricetag is subsidized.. pls reply
Connor @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:20PM
Mmmmm Touch Pro...
Sprint? No gracias.
TWO MORE DAYS!
I'm talking about the Fuze...
Chad @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:21PM
I've had mine for a week also (Best Buy w/ 20% off). I must say, I'm a little disappointed, although I must say my expectations were really high.
Negatives: Isn't as responsive as I'd like, and the battery only lasts a day with average usage. And, divx movies are jumpy (using Divx Player). What's the point of having a VGA screen if video isn't smooth? I knew it was going to be thick, but dang! Signal strength seems a little worse than my old RAZR.
Positives: Keyboard is awesome. Screen is beautiful! TouchFlo is pretty good, although I wish I could reorder/remove the quick links along the bottom (or did I miss it?). Phone quality is good.
-Chad
Graham @ Nov 2nd 2008 6:30PM
Chad, just found this today, I had the same gripe about reordering the Touch Flo tabs...
http://www.thetouchblog.com/index.html
It rocks!!!