HTC HD2 makes first official appearance in O2 UK catalog

We've been furnished with the above page from an O2 in-store catalog detailing the HTC HD2 (aka Leo), which was set for a UK release on October 12 (though we're hearing that may have slipped to the 26th). Interesting that it's pictured with a stock Windows Mobile 6.5 UI instead of TouchFLO 3D. Is O2 rushing HTC's new hotness out the door in response to losing its iPhone supremacy? Or did an absent-minded employee just slip out the catalogs ahead of time? We're getting in touch with O2 to find out and will update with more details as we get them. For now, check out the full catalog page after the break.

[Thanks, Peter W.]

Update: After O2 stonewalled our phone enquiries, we decided to drop by our nearest (which was still annoyingly far away) store to have a look for ourselves. Alas, we only found September issues of the catalog, and the above snapshot is from the October iteration, which sports a big fat Pre promo on the front. So, anyone else seen an advance copy yet?

[irishfists Posted Sep 30th 2009 11:22AM]

The hardware and specs for this phone do make my heart go pitter patter. However, does anyone feel the N900 is a contender? Personally, I drool over any news for it and there was some really good stuff this morning . . .

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 11:45AM]

htc hd2 will run a snapdragon 8250b , this family chipset support mobile broadcast tv mediaflo isdb-t and dvbh more precisely http://www.qctconnect.com/products/snapdragon.html
can we expect to have dvbh on htc hd2 i'm really interested cause i watched dvbh tv on a nokia N96 and it's really an amazing quality of image even walking.

[brothaa Posted Sep 30th 2009 12:56PM]

i personally like the stylus cuz it works well as a poker for rolling joints.

it always comes in handy!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 1:17PM]

HTC Leo + WM 6.5 = best phone on the planet, by far.

Damn you US carriers for not launching this, damn you!

[Edobe Posted Sep 30th 2009 1:33PM]

Actually,

HTC Leo + wnmo 6.5. = amwasome handset + descent mobile os = maybe the best phone by the slimest margin until android/maemo5 are matched with hardware comprable to this.

And please don't acuse of bieng an MS hater. I love MS, but emetions aside, winmo 6.5 is not there best work. Not exactly zunehd-eque. ya know.

[Nunya Bizness Posted Sep 30th 2009 1:27PM]

Is there going to be a version with a slide-out keyboard ?????





Professionals need a slide out keyboard.

[PSIREX Posted Sep 30th 2009 2:31PM]

not really! professionals learn how to do without....

[Siddharth Posted Sep 30th 2009 1:27PM]

so much for the earlier rumor that the HD2 would be loaded with android.. would have loved to see that..

[PSIREX Posted Sep 30th 2009 2:29PM]

Please come to the US! Please come to the US! Please come to the US! Please come to the US! Please come to the US!

[PhoenixFox Posted Sep 30th 2009 3:01PM]

I personally find that button layout ugly, especially when they're so radically different from the rest of the face...

Just put a separate power button on top, and put the home button on hang up. Like on the TD2 and TP2. There, it's MUCH more attractive...

[ShirleyUjest Posted Sep 30th 2009 4:11PM]

[From SPRINT, three days ago]:

Thank you for contacting Sprint about the HTC Leo/Firestone.

We are glad to know that you are interested in buying the HTC
Leo/Firestone handset.

Unfortunately, this handset model is not on offer as of now.

Once it is decided to launch, you will see promotional campaigns related
to the launch date and the features of the handset on our Web site and
other promotional media.

Thank you for showing interest in our products & services. Please let us
know if you would like us to assist you with anything else.

Sincerely,
Sprint

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[From SPRINT, two days ago]:

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, as of now we are not able to tell if we will launch HTC
Leo/Firestone in future or not. We continually strive to offer the best
products and services to our customers. We have taken your feedback
regarding the HTC Leo/Firestone phone. We appreciate your constructive
feedback.

We value your business and appreciate the opportunity to address your
concerns. Please reply to this email or visit Sprint.com/mysprint if we
can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Sprint

[From me]
*heavy sigh*

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 7:16PM]

I emailed Sprint about this 3 days ago, and they didn't even specifically reply back with a mention of the Leo.

It was just same generic response stating that my email will be looked into and that someone should be getting back in touch with me.

Well, at least you received a response, even if it wasn't necessarily a promising one, Sprint at least didn't flat out dismiss the Leo.

Here's to hoping it will be offered by the time I get to renew my contract in March...

[AssassinX Posted Sep 30th 2009 5:06PM]

As faithful readers of this site, I feel Engadget is obligated to lobby on our behalf to bring this phone to the States. I know you guys have connections with HTC.

I'll make you a deal. I'll click on an ad on your page every day if you can get some movement on getting this to the states (a video would be nice too). :)

[klaw81 Posted Sep 30th 2009 9:43PM]

It's not "pictured with a stock Windows Mobile 6.5 UI instead of TouchFLO 3D" - TouchFLO 3D 2.5 doesn't have a "Programs" tab like previous versions. The picture merely shows the WM6.5 Start menu.

The Start menu is completely customisable in terms of background and location of icons, so the TouchFLO team have wisely decided to omit their Programs tab - it would be a virtual duplication of the WM6.5 Start menu, but it would have less room since TouchFLO needs the "swipe" bar along the bottom.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 7:24PM]

Got the October magazine in hand. Not much of a "leak" considering it was published today.

I called the freephone number and they had no idea what I was talking about. I went to the URL and no sign of the HTC HD2.

As with the "Ignito" (HTC Touch Diamond), it will take weeks after the catalogue advert before I can get my hands on this beauty.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2009 9:26PM]

Actually, that's WinMo6.5's default programs screen, and in the Manila 2.5/WinMo6.5 ROM I'm running on my TP2, It has the same default programs screen. So maybe this phone will be released with Manila 2.5(TouchFlo3D 2.5 for those that don't know).

[sleepyhatch Posted Oct 1st 2009 2:17AM]

as soon as some one get Android running in the Leo, I will be buying one from over sea.

[br4nd0nh347 Posted Oct 1st 2009 2:46AM]

I'm buying it, no matter what.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 1st 2009 7:07AM]

Oh man, what a device, seriously cant wait to get it (uk, unlucky states) Lets just hope windows get their act together with marketplace and get some decent apps. Time for apple to get their hardware up to date.

[dagwud Posted Oct 1st 2009 2:31PM]

That depends on what you're seeking. Some apps of the type I want to use are available for WinMo, but not Android.

(iPhone is out of the question on principle, even though there are iPhone versions of what I want to use. I'm not anti-Apple. I'm anti-lack-of-memory-expansion and anti-battery-replacement-requires-major-disassembly.)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 7th 2009 12:51PM]

I have just confirem in store its on the catalog but not in store as yet. I called O2 customer service and was told that they would have it on sale for the 19th of October 2009. Happy HD'ing!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 20th 2009 1:29PM]

Everybody already knows Tmobile is gonna pick it up they even have ads already.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2009 9:44AM]

Just got a copy in store and it looks just like that rather vague it all about the Palm Pre hopefully it won't be long till it in-store.