Unlocked HTC Touch Pro2 to retail for $880, Touch Diamond2 for $725
By Nilay Patel 
posted Apr 16th 2009 12:44PM
posted Apr 16th 2009 12:44PM
[Via Unwired View]
posted Apr 16th 2009 12:44PM
The percentage of returned gadgets that have nothing wrong with them.
Of the $13.8 billion worth of returned products in 2007, only 5 percent were because gadgets were actually broken, according to a 2008 study.
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OMG prices during world economy crisis. Looks like HTC doesn't plan to sell loads of these, they will only sell like Sony - for the fans. The rest of us? Pretend to be smart and buy something very similar for 1/2 or 1/3 price.
Welcome to the real cost of a new cellphone. This is unsubsidised prices and most top end handsets have been retailing for the same money for the last 10 years or so. Obviously it's you Americans who are horrified here on Engadget since you're not used to buying unlocked phones. In Europe it's different. Here it's perfectly normal to buy an unlocked phone and pop in a pay-as-you-go simcard or simply live life knowing that the phone is paid for rather than being tied to a contract for 99 months.
Welcome to you overpaying for phones in Euroland. Laptops don't cost nearly as much as these devices and the computing power as well as the chips used in these devices are manufactured at much larger quantities than computer cpu's; the power in these phones is a fraction of whats available in a notebook computer; you can pick up a notebook and netbook for under $400 now. There is no 'real price' other than what they think they can charge you.
They only charge these outrageous costs because they know people will still buy them.
I really want the Touch Pro 2, but know way am I shelling out that much cash. I won't be locking myself into anymore multi-year contracts, either, so guess what HTC? You just lost a sale. I'll bet a lot of other people feel the same way I do.
PG: These are the prices that carriers pay when purchasing phones from HTC. Then they sell it to consumers for a smaller upfront fee + a contract. Add up the monthly costs for a contract and the you shall see that the total is at least that of the unlocked handset.
I've been an HTC fan since there was an HTC, but honestly, my Touch Pro feels like an unpolished POS (they still haven't fixed the keyboard lag issue, even the XDA devs can't do it), and I can't see myself shelling out another $600-800 bucks for a phone since I've already used it up on the TP.
Sorry, but $800 bucks is just way too much for what you get. I'd expect something pretty damned close to flawless for that kind of cash, and I can pretty much ensure that it's going to be anything but perfect.
This is the price that I paid for my Touch Diamond, unlocked.
They just replace the Diamond with Diamond2 using the same debut price tag!
@PG
To respond to your rediculous laptop post:
Can a $400 not-book seamlessly:
Make a phone call?
Take 5Mp picutes?
automatically adjust screen orientation?
support both finger and object touches on the screen (or any touches for that matter)?
Have integrated GPS?
Is always on (very important)?
have a few day of standby (without hybernation)?
Have a front facing full VGA camera for web conferences?
Make video calls?
Can fully charge via standard mini USB connected to a computer in less than an hour?
One-handedly edit Office documents while walking trough the mall?
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: can it fit in your 5th pocket?
????????????????????????????????
....Because my Touch HD can (and it can do a whole lot more)
So yeah, to me... IT'S WORTH IT. :)
IPHONE is still better because it is available at a cheaper price to people who want it. Despite it being locked to a carrier in the U.S., I guarantee 98% of consumers in America would pick the iphone over any of these HTC phones that seem to come out every 3 months.
Unless you are one of the trolling Windows Mobile sycophants on this site, you don't want to deal with the BS.
@TheSuburbanWhiteBoy:
Geez, I think I know who is the troll here, and it certainly ain't the MS guys.
Official unlocked iPhone 3G sells around US$1,100 here in Asia.
$880 is cheaper and more importantly [B]better[/B] specswise.
I never understood this issue with people thinking you get a better deal when you buy unlocked and here is why. So you go buy this 900 dollar phone BUT you still have to get a plan for it, which means you just payed MORE for the phone and are now paying MORE for the plan. It is not a good deal. But you will say, "I can take it to any carrier" Yes, yes you can, and that carrier will charge you a monthly fee for network usage just like they would if you bought the phone subsidized, the only difference is the person who bought the phone subsidized ends up paying a lot less money in the long run even with a 2 year contract.
@McLovin
My not-book does enough as-is.
$179 EEE PC I bought when a friend tipped me off to a sale at Best Buy.
$100 USB EVDO card with Readybroadband prepaid EVDO on Sprint. (Used only in a pinch, so I make bandwidth last. Otherwise it's 802.11 all the way.)
I can make a phone call (Skype).
I can take a picture with the webcam or connect my 5mp camera to it.
Screen orientation? PPHT.
Touch screens? That was $50 on eBay for an aftermarket kit.
Integrated GPS? I can live without. Or I can connect my old GPS to it.
Always on? Waste of battery.
Standby? Nah.
Video calling and front-facing webcam? Yep. Oh, and the AT&T Touch Pro doesn't have one.
Can charge via USB? No.
One-handedly edit Office docs when I'm at the mall? Uh, I don't walk around running Office in the mall. I'm there with *friends* to chat, not be productive.
And can it fit in a pocket? My baggy utility pants, yes.
... because my EEE PC can, and it can run a lot more software than Windows Mobile or your shitty HD you spent $800+ on for *less*.
I could rent a hooker for 2 days for that price!
@Dakota C
So let me get this straight:
Real world scenarios:
I want to take a picture at the mall:
Me: whip out my phone take picute, put it back in my pocket.
You: reach into your "baggy utility pants" pull out your camera and take the picture then go home and flip open your laptop wiat for it to bootup, then connect you camera to you laptop, download them to it. So the next time someone ask you abou the picture you whip out your eepc and wait for it to boot up, show it to them, then properly shut it down (to avoid OS corruption of course)
I'm lost, how do I get home:
Me: whip out my phone, click on google maps, show's me where I"m at and the shortest path home
You: whip out your eepc from your "baggy utility pants" connect your external GPS device, wait for it to boot up, get connected to the internet, via your external express card from sprint, itnitiate the Sprint connection manager. Then navigate you your maps program, which may or may not recognize you gps device, then find out you shortest path home
I'm walking to my car and want to call someone:
Me whip out my phone, call someone
You: whip out your eepc from your "baggy utility pants", then whip out your Sprint EVDO card...... Need I say more?
Then you adressed the touchscreen situation with add on that you purchased from ebay, that you had to install yourslef, making you device even more clunkier and tougher to fit into your "baggy utility pants"
Look I know you love your eepc and is it a bargin? DEFINITLEY! but even you can admit when it comes to flexibiltiy, mobility, and productivity on the go, there's no match. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF A SMARTPHONE. whether it be the iPhone 3G, The BB Storm, the Touch HD, or the G1.
No thanks. I'll wait for the Palm Pre.
I agree. This is way too expensive, even more than the Xperia...
@ Dakota C
What a f'tarded comment. If you had any clue, you'd know that any high end mobile is pricey when it's not subsidized. Carrier contracts can knock 2/3 or more off the 'retail' price. Hell, to put thinks in perspective, iPhones cost about $200 more than the Diamond 2 in Singapore unlocked.
Or, to go the classic Mastercard route:
HTC Touch - $0
Unlimited data - $10/m
USB2PC software - $0
USB cable to tether to any netbook - $5
Not looking like a spazz when you answer your netbook? - Priceless.
@McLovin
Oh, right. I forgot about the Nokia I carry around.
I want to take a picture at the mall: I pull out my Nokia 6555 and take a picture. Or the camera, if it's being carried with a quick offload to the EEE later on.
I'm lost, how do I get home: Tellme, Google Maps, etc on my Nokia. Or use the EEE in the car on a roadtrip.
I'm walking to my car and want to call someone: I pull out my Nokia.
@Alan Strangis
I understand what a "subsidy" is. But let's take it down to this:
HTC 'FUZE' Touch Pro from AT&T: $299 on contract. $499 without.
Unlimited data: $30 a month (not including voice plan). Locked in for 2 years due to "promotional" pricing on contract for phone.
USB cable to tether: Included in box
ActiveSync: Included in box
'One-time' total cost: $299, not including tax
Monthly costs: ~$70+ a month, depending on service plan on AT&T
When on the other hand:
EEE: $179.
ReadyBroadband EVDO: $100, plus bandwidth ($25/100mb, $45/200mb normally have 2-3 topup cards in my glove compartment, only used when needed on major roadtrips)
GPS: Old module I paid ~$25 for
Power in the car: Old $20 inverter
'One-time' cost: $325
Monthly costs: ~$25 whenever needed to top-up
@Dakota C:
horrible argument.
Why don't you compare a laptop with a desktop going by your logic.
If you carry the touch HD, you won't have to carry that eeepc and a cellphone because the HD is an all in one.
Not alot of people have your "baggy pants" that can fit an entire laptop and a cellphone.
No one wants to boot up a laptop to make "skype calls." and battery life ain't that great compared to a cellphone.
@Dakota C:
So, rather than carry around a smart phone, you wear ridiculous clown pants with netbook+charger sized pockets, so that you can carry said netbook+charger AND an old Nokia phone?
Brilliant argument!
You've convinced me. No I can leave my HTC at home (phew, I mean, it's SOO heavy). Go get my self some over sized novalty pockets sown onto my jacket, get me one of them underpowered netbooks + 3G data card + data plan, and drop my SIM into a shitty dumb-phone.
You guys are all friggin idiots. You don't need a $1000 phone to make calls or take shitty photos nor a netbook in your pocket to call someone on skype.
Goddamn petards.
to OP:
oh, i thought you were trying to rhyme your whole comment.
lol its amazing how some idiots will still try to justify the price of these phones..THIS is why they charge so damn much for these things, cuz simply put, people willll buy it. I remeber when the Razr with itunes on it was $600+ w/ out a contract..for what???..shit camera, old technology, with a pretty case...and people still jump to buy them..
Companies are well aware of the "tough times," but the truth is, lots of people are NOT in a recession..and these are the ones that will jump for the shiny worthless POS phones, that will be replaced in a few months..wish i owned a cell company
@ Dakota C.
Dude, I saw what you posted, and you were proposing using your netbook as a phone VIA Skype. That's just ridiculous. Who are you trying to convince here? Did you even READ what I posted my monthly costs are?
Like I said, I paid ZERO for my HTC phone, have $10/month unlimited data, $20 voice.
With your 'solution' I would have to pay about $900 (NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS) per month for data, or severely cut back on my data usage by a factor of TWENTY.
Your 'solution' sucks.
@dodo
did you even read what I posted? Past the word IPHONE you probably started to pout and stopped reading... why do people get so mad that others actually like their iphones?
Alright, this phone may be overpriced, but if you compare the price to every other smartphone on the market, it's not.
I think a lot of you don't understand the different between unlocked and subsidized phones. Subsidized phones are cheaper because you are forced in to a 2-year contract, so you pay your operator back for the discount in monthly payments basically (but you get service as well).
The iPhone's unlocked price is similar to that of an HTC Touch Pro, but I don't hear anyone calling that overpriced.
You guys are stupidly acting like this phone will not be subsidized. It most definitely will by tons of carriers, at which point the phone will cost the same as any other smartphone, but will also be available unlocked at this price. The reason they have to announce the unlocked price vs. the subsidized price is because every carrier subsidizes a different amount. Apple could advertise the $200 price because AT&T was the only carrier to get the iPhone (well, the only one in the US).
HTC has no subsidized price to advertise, so therefore they aren't.
For that price I would rather buy that slick Nokia N97 thats on its way out.
i agree. my top 2 phones to purchase next was either the touch pro2 or the nokia n97. i'm hoping that i can get the touch pro2 (Wing II) for t-mobile for 300 US dollars with contract. BUT, i don't want to spend the extra monthly charge for their high speed data plan. i'll stick to my edge (5 bucks per month). maybe i'll wait to see how much the unlocked nokia n97 will cost before i make up my mind.
Uh, why do you think the N97 will be any cheaper than this?
yeah, at those prices.... dont think so
Seriously. When I can get a refurb IPhone 3G from AT&T for $100-$200, these prices are really unappealing. I really don't like IPhones, but from the looks of this the subsidized price on these babies will be $350+...hard to stomach paying 2x the price.
It is made for the business user! It is not made as a consumer toy (although it can do everything a certain consumer phone can) it is made as a "Business Tool" . Because of factors like the on the go word editing, noise canceling speaker phone, an epicly amazing back lit qwerty board, the impressive processing power and the impressive functionality added by touchflo3D-2 this phone is marketed toward the businessman (or woman) that needs a full featured business smart-phone so that they can keep their business running. Will other demographics still buy it? Yes, but this phone was made for the business power-user who is willing to pay a premium for his business's lifeline.
@cacois
Those refurb iPhone prices require a 2 year contract still plus a required data plan.
@ the first reply
You do realize that the unsubsidized price of an iPhone is around 800$, right?
@sacapuntas
If you've every used touch flo 3D you would know that these phones are just as much for entertainment as they are for "business users".
Yeah the price is steep. But for Teen Mobile? Sorry. Pass.
There is no way this is a "Teen Mobile"! Have you even read the specs? Check @Sacapuntas comment just above or here, I'll copy it here for you. "sacapuntas @ Apr 16th 2009 1:13PM
It is made for the business user! It is not made as a consumer toy (although it can do everything a certain consumer phone can) it is made as a "Business Tool" . Because of factors like the on the go word editing, noise canceling speaker phone, an epicly amazing back lit qwerty board, the impressive processing power and the impressive functionality added by touchflo3D-2 this phone is marketed toward the businessman (or woman) that needs a full featured business smart-phone so that they can keep their business running. Will other demographics still buy it? Yes, but this phone was made for the business power-user who is willing to pay a premium for his business's lifeline. "
Next time please put a little thought in before posting.
(p.s. I know you posted your comment before he did, but the clue to it's business use is in the pic in the post. It uses words like "Conference Room" and not "Chat room" therefore business orientated)
LOL. I know. I call T-Mobile Teen Mobile b/c that's who wants that Sidekick BS. Apparently this is gonna hit T-Mobile first. I REALLY hope Verizon gets this phone this year and doesn't cripple the phone!!
Sorry, I withdraw my previous statement and hope we can still be friends. I'm waiting for this one, but if it's locked to a network like the other big 3 phones (iPhone, Storm, G1) I will be looking elsewhere.
Lucky at the 2.5 mark of my 3 year contract Telus gives me a 800$ credit towards a new phone... so a price like that isn't the end of the world for some.... however yea...
Palm better not use that pricing market because I want my pre. But the UI does look slick. I wonder if that's actual or photoshoped.
Well in my opinion, the prices are justified. The Touch Pro2 is by far the best business WM phone.
Dear HTC, if you don't have a CDMA version in time for my contract renewal in Aug, I will be very upset and complain about it ON THE INTERNETS.
How about one of these bad boyz for a "Engadget recession antidote". Just sayin ;^)...
this is iphone-like... except with a keyboard!!!!!
I don't know why you got downranked, this is exactly how I describe it to people when they ask me what cell phone I want to upgrade to. I tell them "It's like an iPhone, only with a bigger/better screen, a flip out keyboard, more power, more options, and a spider phone built into the back."
(FYI: Spider phone is that triangle shaped conference phone you see at the middle of giant conference tables in meetings and such
http://www.yenra.com/conference-phone/conference-phone.jpg)
This is typical pricing of every unlocked high end Windows Mobile phone until they get carrier subsidized. Only true WM fans pick up the devices unlocked.
Haha more BS from Engadget!!
Diamond 2 = 400£ = 590$
http://www.devicewire.co.uk/htc-touch-diamond2
Price: £394.99 (Incl. VAT)
Our pricing came direct from an HTC press release. Where did that site's come from?
"Where did that site's come from?"
Eh? What ?
That's the price it's being sold in Europe. Several people have already received their Diamond 2 today.
Maybe you should contact them : 01202711648 or email sales@devicewire.com
Or contact Pixmania : http://www.pixmania.com/fr/fr/2694988/art/htc/pda-phone-touch-diamond-2.html
http://www.pixmania.com/fr/fr/2552301/art/htc/touch-diamond2-version-an.html
Or Expansys : http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=179082
Etc....