C'mon folks, say it with us now: "Finally!" After
T-Mobile USA and
Sprint decided to charge two arms and three-quarters of a leg for HTC's fancy-but-not-world-changing Touch Pro2, Verizon Wireless has
stepped in to show those other guys how to price a phone appropriately. Big Red's version of the WinMo 6.1-packin' handset will be available starting tomorrow (just as
we'd heard) for $199.99 on contract, though that
is after a $100 mail-in rebate. You already know what to expect in terms of specifications -- 3.6-inch WVGA tilting touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, built-in GPS for VZ Navigator and a microSD expansion slot. Now, there's just the decision to overlook Sprint's
Any Mobile, Anytime plan or not...
posted Sep 10th 2009 9:39AM
even though its 200, just think of all the money you'd save on that new sprint plan... I'm sure more than the 75 or whatever dollars differnence...
Exactly. The up-front savings on the phone are minuscule compared to the long-term price of the phone contract.
Tsk, tsk.
It's nice actually having coverage on VZW though.
@Jason
but Sprint has free roaming on Verizon's network...
Jason,
Coverage is all relative.
I've had Verizon and Sprint in the same region over a 10 year period, and Verizon never gave me "better" coverage.
You are required to get a data plan with a smartphone like this on Verizon, right? I'm on Verizon right now, and when my contract is up with this dumphone I might go for a smartphone on Verizon, but being required to get a data plan on a phone with Wifi would suck. But hey, why are the only WVGA devices Windows Mobile? It would be awesome to have a screen like that on a Palm Pre type device.
My thoughts exactly.
But I've been meaning to ask, what in the world did VZ and Sprint did with the CTRL button on the device?
Anyways, the new Mobile-2-Mobile plan of Sprint makes every other carrier look like a horrifying rip off.
Want this for sure! Do you mean "now" instead of know though? Maybe the k is silent :-/
The k is silent either way ;)
r u serious? See the sarcasm there? Have a nice day.
wow cheap compared to t mobile
You can get the touch pro2 from wirefly.com for only $199.99 with a new contract and no mail in rebate :D ... just as a pointer
Now maybe Tmobile and Sprint will respond with price drops... maybe not, but I can dream can't I? My Tmo contract is up at the end of the month, and I want to ditch my blackberry, and I really want to get something besides an iPhone (more because it's on AT&T than because it's an iPhone).
@ Mikey M.
I'm in the exact same boat as you. like the iphone, but hate at&t. think i'm going with sprint. now i just have to decide between the hero and the pre.
My question is, what did Verizon have to cripple in order to get it $100 cheaper?
(I have no idea if they did, but they have in the past)
That's the question that'll need answering! They've been know to cripple some of the specs such as memory and on board storage.
ATT's price will likely be similar to T-Mobile and Sprint's.
If the Verizon version isn't crippled, here's hoping that ATT could offer it at the same price!
Nothing is crippled on this device, Verizon actually managed to learn their lesson last time when they gimped the hell out of the Touch Pro.
I'm picking this phone up tomorrow, I can't wait.
Nothing. Well, they did add CDMA so you can actually get a signal in just about every corner of the USA. :-)
WiFi?
Morons... How long does this take to look up on the internet? NO, it's not crippled. It's probably the best version of this phone, FOR LESS! So quit whining about something that's been confirmed a non-problem for weeks, at least.
this is definitely a world phone, GSM+CDMA> Japan, Korea, Russia and Europe except with WM6.1
* High-speed connectivity over Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network (1x/EV-DO Revision A 800/1900 MHz)
* Global connectivity to allow customers to access e-mail and data in more than 180 destinations and to use the phone for voice calling in more than 220 destinations (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA/HSPA 2100 MHz)
* Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 b/g)
* 3.6 inch WVGA resolution (480 x 800) tilting touch screen
* Advanced speakerphone with noise-cancelling technology
* 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture
* Touch-sensitive zoom bar
* Seamless connectivity with Microsoft® Exchange, Outlook and Office applications with Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
* Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR and A2DP stereo
* Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7600A, 528 MHz
* Memory: 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM
* Dimensions: 4.57” x 2.33” x .68” (length x width x height)
* Weight: 6.3 ounces (with standard battery)
* Extended 1500 mAh battery for longer operation times
* Up to 5.3 hours of talk time (CDMA) or up to 13.5 days of standby time (CDMA)
Maybe I've missed it... but does this thing have back-lit keys?
Yep!
KIRF ALERT!!! Check the display on the phone: "Dinner with Sandy and Bob" at Maggiano's... for 4 hours? No one could spend 4 hours at Maggiano's. Must be a KIRF.
30 min drive... 30 min wait... 2.5 hours to eat, talk, socialize, etc... and half hour back?
LOL! What is KIRF?
@Pookie
KIRF = Keepin' It Real Fake
Look it up in Engadget's search box.
At Maggiano's? Shit, I could eat there all day until I exploded lol.
"2 missed calls"
Not a good way to advertise.
Why? I think you are thinking of dropped calls.
Only if they really missed dinner at Maggiano's
It was on silent.
omg Maggiano's is my favorite restaurant!
I am torn. I have been a Verizon customer for almost 5 years and I hate what Verizon does to their phones. Every phone I have had to this point Verizon locks you out, where you can not add your own ringtones to the phone without using BitPim or buying them.
What I want to know is does this change with a WinMo phone? Also is VZ Navigator a decent GPS program?
Windows Mobile is different. I currently have the HTC Touch Pro (and love it). If you want to get the most out of the phone, you unlock it and flash the ROM (plenty of documentation on ppcgeeks.com and my ROM of choice: sskusers.net). Anyway, this unlocks the GPS so you can use other software - Google Maps and Tom Tom, I'm sure others exist, that's just what I use. By unlocking, you can also tether your laptop and use the phone's EVDO data connection. You can also turn your phone into a wifi router so multiple laptops can connect.
Unlocking and custom ROM's take time. From what I saw with the Touch Pro, it only takes a couple of weeks for someone to unlock it, and then let the custom ROM's flow. Custom ROM's are usually more stable then stock ROM's also.
This DOES void your warranty. You can, however, flash the stock ROM back and then relock your phone if necessary.
As for VZ Navigator-I've never used it so I don't want to give you bad information.
I hope I've answered most of your questions. It really depends on what you are willing to do. I'm also guessing that if you are reading engadget, you probably have enough know how to unlock and flash if provided with the right documentation (see my sources).
You can put on your own ringtones, music, movies, games, etc. GPS you can download programs but you MUST use the internet connection *NOT wifi* on the phone for the phone to see where you are (triangulation). There are websites out there to get this stuff free. Just google a little bit :)
See, I'm willing to give WinMo a try, but whenever I hear talk of searching forums for software and flashin ROMs, just to make your phone function the way you want it to----well, that's a big killer right there.
It's not about making them work. It is about making them the way YOU want it. I for one, enjoy all of the tinkering. It is not that they aren't usable out of the box, it's just that I like it set up a certain way. Cell phone companies' (and every other industry) engineers usually create software for the average consumer which leads to dumbed down interfaces, options... I prefer to have access to the advanced options and configurations.
I've used a stock rom on my XV6800 for quite a while. You are still free to use your own ringtones (more like music as ringtones) along with installing different applications. The thing is a lot of the time custom roms simply make your phone better. I switched from the stock WM 6.0 on my XV6800 to a custom WM 6.5 and I'm glad that I did. Not only did my phone get a lot faster, the rom was bundled with a lot useful applications along with a nicer interface. Basically if you have a WM based phone for any carrier including verizon, you are free to do customizations to it almost like a normal Windows computer.
Despite what everyone says, I think VZNav is actually a very good GPS program. The main difference, though, is that the maps are pulled dynamically over the air. This is good in that everything is usually up to date and it requires less store. This is bad if you are somewhere with no cell signal. Overall, though, I prefer it to other GPS programs. Also has a nice local search to find businesses, restaurants, gas prices, and movie times around you. Just make sure to call the place you look up first to make sure it still exists... I've had a couple of time where I've driven to the address to find an empty lot.
And this is Windows Mobile, so there's no locking down. You can do whatever you want. You could probably even run a fully separate operating system (Android) on it at some point in the future.
I have been hearing a lot about WinMo 6.5. Do yee readers think that is a good update for this phone on Verizon? What about waiting to see if HTC will put Android on this phone... would it be worth waiting. :)
I love expensive phones (TP2, BL40, Xperia X3, N97, Omnia II/Pro ) mmmmmmmmmm :D
I would wait for some reviews for this phone. As many have mentioned above it could be very crippled like the Touch Pro. I have used WinMo6.5 on my HTC Mogul for the past few months and it is a major update over the previous Windows releases. I consider it to be better than Touchflo3D which I am just using for the first time on the TP2 (Sprint version)
Also they will never put Android on this particular phone but they may bring an Android specific device to Verizon but this is windows only. You may be able to head over to XDA as I believe they have been able to port Android over to a Windows phone recently but not entirely sure. What phone do you currently have?
Oh i have a older phone, new in it's time (enV orange) but simply prehistoric now.teehehehe Good reply your a sharp cookie :D
SERIOUSLY guys... Do 60 seconds of research. This is the internet. You can find things out very easily and quickly.
There's been about 20 reviews of this phone (consensus: great phone) and it has been confirmed multiple times that this is not a crippled phone. Starting with the Ozone, Verizon seems to have learned their lesson.
Engadget, can you put a notice somewhere in your post that the phone is NOT CRIPPLED???
PS Engadget, I think you should do a side by side of T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon just to see how they all-stack up after being made the carriers individual baby :P
what sucks though it is will not be in stores... You will have to order it online starting tomorrow. Looks like everyone will be waiting until monday to get their hands on it...
hopefully sprint will drop their price now
if u believe that..i have a bridge i'm trying to sell u for a reasonable price lol,all reasonable offers will be considered
How do you know it won't be in stores?
I called my local store yesterday. Had the guy go in the back and look to see if he had any.
He said "no we don't have any today [wednesday]. We get our shipments of phones in every monday and they must have never shipped us any this week"
I asked if they were going to have any in stock for the release friday and he said it was very unlikely. Unless every verizon store gets some sort of UPS overnight shipment of a few of these phones, they will not have any. He went on to look at his computer which read "on request" or some other wording. Meaning, you have to have a store order it, or you have to order it online.
He could be wrong, and i HOPE he is because i want this sucker bad, but according to the guy working there, they won't have any.
It's a good thing they won't have them in the stores on the release date, and here's why: if you buy a phone with a mail in rebate in the store and they don't have any in stock, they will ship you the phone and credit you the rebate right there when you pay. That means you're at $199 out the door if you buy the phone before it shows up in stock. If you wait until they're in the stores, you'll have to do all the paperwork yourself and wait 12-97 weeks for the rebate to show up.
I don't care when I get the rebate... ive gone through hell and high water to get rebates back in the day... nothing new. I just want the phone in my hand tomorrow.
I hope the stores get some in so I can pick it up tomorrow. With or without the rebate attached.
HELL JUST FROZE OVER! according to the listed specs, the verizon version has....wait for it....more RAM than the tmobile version! not much -- 288MB vs 256MB. but considering that and it's still cheaper...
please excuse me, i think i just shit blood.
All versions have 288MB, but there was a firmware error on early versions (like Tmobile) that mistakenly reported 256 MB of RAM. That's since been fixed with a patch.
32MB is allocated to video
Wait.. it doesn't thave Ctrl key.!! can I still do ctrl+c / ctrl+v ?? (copy and paste)
A simple registry tweak can fix that. I'm debating this as my job gives me a VZW discount, once some good solid custom ROMs come out for it.
Probably with the FN key since there's no special characters bound to X/C/V.
Er... the same way you do with every other WinMo phone?
Well I have a t-mobile HTC and it does have ctr key.. comes in real handy
event besides it running the flawed WinMo, I don't like this keyboard. It's too big to use one hand with and the buttons look spongy. These types of keyboards usually are much slower to type on than say a qwerty keyboard with the layout of a BB or Pre
You can use the front facing virtual keyboard.. It is actually not too bad to use. Of course virtual keyboards suck to use while driving, but you don't use your phone while driving, right? :-)
this is the first time i heard"the keyboard is too big"...
i'm not gonna even make a comment,just thought i'd put it out there
"{Sprint's] $70 [unlimited data] plan is going to be hard to beat."
Fixed it for you.
give it 8GB on board and we have a solid value proposition to the average consumer. the enthusiasts know this is a steal at 199
Agree that more built in storage would be a good thing! But a 8gb microsd costs a whopping ~$25 and 16gb is ~$60. At least this phone has that option unlike many others. In fact,the lack of an external memory port on a very well known phone is a deal killer for me; along with no physical keyboard.
I really want this for Sprint but I can't pay the money. I think the Sprint one if worth it because of the savings you get on the service. I just have a Mortgage, kids, Carnotes and my pay was decreased during the major crisis we just had. I'll have to wait for Income Tax Return.
Verizon's is not a World phone, Sprint's is, among other little differences.
False. Of course it is a world phone... It even has a picture of the world on the back cover.
"Verizon Wireless and HTC Corporation introduce the HTC Touch Pro2™, a global-capable smartphone designed for the busiest professionals and world travelers. "
hint...Global means "world"
:)
If your going to fix something... make sure its broke first, MORON.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/sprints-big-surprise-to-be-unlimited-calling-data-text-and-m/
It's EVERYTHING.
LOL although it Sprint. haha moron on me. Anyway, I live in Canada, and these half assed carriers are of no concern to me.
Jesus, that's what you guys call VALUE?! Us Brits can pick this up at the moment for free on 24 months x £40 (about $65?). The UK mobile market is awesome.
Yes, yes, we pay more for cellular, but overall, we pay so much more less taxes to the government so at the end of the day I'm coming out way ahead.
@me
Ugg, and I can take that extra $$ and learn to write smoother sentences. :-)
Maybe, but you guys are always getting shot by your crack dealer aren't you? I guess that evens things out a bit. ;)
Well played, sinaplenty... Well played. :-)
What do your crack addicts do in England, just hit you with a bat or a brick?
Oh look, a moron.
Did you even read the specs of the TP2?
Anyone know if VZ locked down the GPS on this model too so you can only use VZ Navigator? (I know there's the hacks to let you unlock the GPS, and the custom ROM's, but I prefer for it to "just work", cause I'm lazy)
Not locked down... they stopped doing that at the end of last year.
When is AT&T getting this?
HTC interface on top of Windows Mobile = lipstick on a pig.
couldn't have said it better
Not locked down... they stopped doing that end of last year.
Is an unlocked GSM version coming? I'd be interested in just switching out the SIM from my 3G flip phone on AT&T and throw it in this, without the carrier data plan.
IMGO, Sprint's new any-mobile plan is the real tipping point. Without it, I'd need the $99 everything plan. Now I can get 500 minutes for $60 (through the referral program), since my most egregious bills have been thanks to cell-to-cell calls.
In fact, consider it this way:
If this phone drops to $200 on wirefly, you can get a 450 minute plan for $69.99. $200 + (69.99*24) = $1879.76 (pre tax and fees)
If you buy it right now on sprint through referral, you get a 500 minute plan for $59.99. $350 + (59.99*24) = $1789.76 (pre tax and fees)
So, even though the upfront cost is more, you save nearly $100 buy getting it now from Sprint, rather than waiting for wirefly to lower the price (assuming you're going for the cheapest plan).
Now, if only xda-developers would finish coding the HSPL for the CDMA version. ;)
I just called 3 stores in the Boston area: reps said they had not received the phone, and doubted they would have them in-store for tomorrow's release, despite what the press statement says. That sucks.
I spoke with a few stores including those who are in charge of inventory. Verizon stores receive new shipments on Wednesdays of every week (may differ in various areas) and he said they have received no notification of receiving these phones and the best time to check back would be Tuesday. Otherwise, he said check online at midnight and see.
Question though, if I order online will I get the rebate knocked off or do I have to order it through the store?
Listen up AT&T ... My contract is up in November...
I want this phone, do you want to keep me as a customer?
Good on Verizon for this. If Sprint were to ever drop it to a reasonable price (not holding my breath), I'd stop holding out for an Android phone & get this instead.
Why does Tmo have to dip everything in ugly colors? Why does Verizon just... Leave things to the rule "When In Doubt, leave it black" is smart. Thank you for doing that. But That... still leaves me out in the cold. awesome.
Pot calling kettle...
Wow, a custom skin for the TP2 that doesn't look like complete shit. Looks like VZW is stepping up its game.
Can it play Crisis?
Like the colors on the VZW version and im also voting for a Engadget comparison of this phone for all 3 carriers.
God, I am so sick of people whining about how cheap Sprint is, and how it makes up for the Verizon's TP2 price. Nobody here cares. It is publicly known that Sprint was the lowest rated carrier in virtually every category of the most recent JD Power.
The funny thing is that Sprint continues to discount their service, and they also continue to lose subscribers.
I also looked into this whole anymobile thing that sprint came out with, and big f'n deal. I use about 2,100 minutes per month (95% during peak time), and about 600 text/pix/flix. Due to the number of people on Verizon's network, plus my 5 free numbers, I don't need anything more than the 900 minute plan.
So, my options:
Sprint - Simply Everything ($99) + Insurance ($7) = $106/mo
Verizon - 900 minutes w/ unlimited data & m2m ($99.99) + 500 text/pix/flix w/ unlimited m2m ($10) + Insurance ($7.99) = $117.98/mo
WOW, so you mean I can save less than 12 whole dollars per month if I leave one of the highest rated carriers for the lowest rated carrier??? Eh, I'll pass.
Sprint's Any Mobile, Anytime Plan = Unlimited Cell-to-Cell calling, Unlimited Data, Unlimited TXT/PIX/VIDEO, and 450 minutes to land-lines for $70. SEVENTY DOLLARS.
In regards to those wanting Engadget to do a side-by-side comparison on all 3 versions, I vote no. Engadget is horribly biased against WinMobile and resistive screens in general, and I'd rather the WinMobile news sites do the review, like wmpoweruser.com or wmexperts.com.
As far as the terms and conditions read for anytime, any mobile (or whatever it's called), my understanding is that it is for "calls to", not calls from. I would really prefer that people be able to call me as well, which is what I get with in-network from Verizon, you know, the company with WAY more subscribers than Sprint.