Vodafone reportedly ditching the HD2 as iPhone launch looms (update: nope!)
By Darren Murph 
posted December 10th 2009 1:46PM
posted December 10th 2009 1:46PM
Here's an interesting one. Vodafone, which is one of the few carriers in the world right now with access to HTC's HD2, is reportedly not going to stock the handset any longer once its current supply evaporates. The reason? Why, that's a fantastic question! According to a company spokesperson, there has been a "massive amount of interest" in the big-screen mobile, with initial stock "selling out quickly and subsequent deliveries used to fulfill backorders." Call us crazy, but it seems a wee bit foolish to can a product that's selling well -- unless, of course, Voda has a certain amount of iPhones that it'll be required to sell just a few months from now (or else buy 'em itself). Whatever the case, we're told that the operator "will not [be] re-stocking the HTC HD2 for general consumer sales once current stock runs out," so if you're jonesing for one, ten minutes ago would've been a great time to buy.Update: Here's the latest from Vodafone: "We haven't recalled or stopped selling it, at the moment we have simply ran out of stock. When our next batch of stock arrives, this will be used to fulfill our outstanding back orders but we won't be taking any additional orders via Telesales."
Update 2: HTC pinged us directly and apologized for being unclear. Here's the bottom line: "[The] HD2 will continue to be available on Vodafone, even after the iPhone launches."
Update 3: Wow, this is a train wreck. Now we're hearing that it'll only be available for "business users," making both Vodafone and HTC correct thanks to tricky wording. Sheesh.
@Jack I think he supported his argument very well and it makes sense.
For instance, If Vodaphone needs to sell 1 million iphones a quarter to continue carrying it, they would remove phones that may cut into its sales; hence the HD2.
This is probably why AT&T does not carry any other competitive smartphones. Why do you think they are the only US carrier without an android phone?
@prowler63
No. His point was that Apple was FORCING the carriers to do it. I don't think he proved that at all.
"they just force the carriers to not sell any other smartphone."
See? Some proof that Apple is FORCING them to do this would be nice.
@clubtech
So are you saying that they have to sell the iPhone because customers want it? What horrible, horrible world we live in.
@prowler63
T-Mobile of Germany is carrying the iPhone exlusively, but they also carry smartphones with Android, Symbian, WinMo (including the HD2), Blackberry OS, whatever you want.
O2 UK is selling the iPhone as well as the Pre. They also offer Symbian, Blackberry and WinMo devices.
Similar results for
- Orange in France (Symbian, BB, iPhone, WinMo, Android)
- TIM in Italy (iPhone, BB, WinMo, Symbian)
- Rogers in Canada (Symbian, BB, Android, iPhone, WinMo)
- Telstra in Australia (BB, iPhone, WinMo, Symbian)
- Movistar in Spain (Pre, Android, iPhone, Symbian, BB, WinMo)
I just went through a couple of major iPhone carriers' websites, and all of them offer a broad choice of smartphone platforms, while also making a choice not to carry 1 or 2 or the 6 rivaling smartphone platforms. In the US, AT&T has apparently made a choice to focus on iPhone (although the do carry BB and WinMo), but this seems particular to the US market. Your theory that Apple is forcing competitors out is unfounded in reality, at least for the major markets.
Meanwhile O2 can't sell enough HD2's! When will Vodafone learn!
I'm currently with Vodafone but they have nothing that interests me with the exception of the Bold 9700. The HD2 is available on T-Mobile and, as has been mentioned, you can just get it hooked up via Phones4U or CPW anyway. As changing network is ridiculously easy they can bugger off.
Silly Vodafone. The iPhone is so 2009. Everyone who wanted one has one with a few network loyal stragglers.
It's official now peeps http://bangbangtech.com/archives/111992/vodafone-officially-%E2%80%9Cnot-restocking%E2%80%9D-htc-hd2
@Yowzer
Whoops! In with the iPhone and out with the crap. Nothing like starting the New Year off right. The HD2 is a beautiful cellphone. It's just that they made a mistake and built it using an OS platform that is just about dead. I don't think any company wants to be stuck holding WinMo handsets.
@Average White Boy
You contradicted yourself by saying the HD2 was crap and then it being a beautiful device.
I don't think the WM OS is dead yet, as WM7 is still in the works and the phone only 2nd to the iPhone is the TP2 which runs on WM.
They must be allergic to money.
"...at the moment we have simply ran out of stock."
That's some good English.
Good move, Vodadumb. This phone is clearly better than the iPhone.
Fucking idiots.
Good, let Verizon have the HD2 then, since you morons don't want it.
@Atara9
Oh yeah. CLEARLY better than the iPhone.
Except it runs WinMo, which sucks ass. That should be kind of a red flag right there. You know, the usability of a phone really is the only thing that matters. Apple got it right with the iPhone, which is why so many people like the iPhone. WinMo has never gotten it right. Ever.
Also, the supporting infrastructure is all over the map. That's not awesome, it's the opposite of awesome.
@Jack
Uh, no. This phone is still better than that piece of shit iDon't.
The WinMo in this phone beats the hell out all the other WinMo devices, and I've never been a fan of WinMo at all.
Get over it, this phone spanks the iDon't.
Good god.
@Atara9
HAHAHAHAHAH
maybe in YOUR world it does.
@logicbombde
You're gay as hell.
@Atara9
You're telling ME to get over it? It sounds like you're butthurt because the IPhone is doing so spectacularly well. WinMo DOES suck ass, none of your excuses will change that. You like to say this phone "beats" the iPhone, but you don't appear to know why or how. Pretty typical of the brainless Apple haters that like to comment here.
this is good. if the [rumors] are true and verizon does get the next iphone, then maybe at&t will get the hd2 (star)!
Vodafone = Vodadumb
i can't help but think that this is one of apple's demands in order for vodafone to have the honor of carrying the iphone.
So what's the deal? This same crap happened with the TP2 on Verizon. Guess WinMo isn't so "dead" after all. The TP2 sold out within a week or two on Verizon and that's without some major, hyper-masculine marketing campaign. In fact, I'm pretty sure that was without ANY marketing campaign.
It's as if some (two in specific, perhaps) major tech sites are giving these phones bad reviews and scaring carriers from ordering too many. If only we knew who was bashing Windows Mobile (especially 6.5)...
Maybe LTE version is coming?
Steve Ballmer is probably saying a few Our Father's and Hail Marys about now. Begging for forgiveness about having mentioned "rounding errors" when trash-talking the bitten fruit company. The WinMo platform is definitely dead or dying at an accellerated rate.
@Average White Boy they should just rename WinMo ..NoMo.. whatever they do.. whenever they get around to doing it.. nobody cares any more.
@Average White Boy err you're not that bright, aren't you.
some people say that they won't stock it because they won't sell many iPhones. I AGREE.
i was looking for the HD2 for a long time where i live. 2 -3 days ago i went to vodaphone shop for a 10th time asking about the phone and if they had a dummy phone. One of the customer service she "pity" me and brought me from inside the staff room the dummy HD2. And all i could say was " WOW WOW WOW WOW" the people inside the shop were laughing but the fact remains even the plastic model of HD2 make you say WOW.
And since it's an HTC phone and has support from the xda developers its even more WOW !!!
@Sor1
Good thing only Apple users are fanboys.
poop
fruit phone-gadget (a.k.a., endgadget) continuing its dis WinMo at all costs tactic to promote the fruit phone.
I got this from Vodafone customer services...
"As promised I am emailing with an update on the current stock situation around the HTC HD2. Unfortunately after we have fulfilled the backlog of online orders, we will no longer be ranging this device in the future for general consumer sales.
While I can appreciate the anticipation and eagerness that was garnered around the phone, I’m confident that with our ever expanding range of current and future devices we can offer a device to suit nearly ever customers needs.
To help you look at other choices, I’ve popped a shortlist of similar specification handsets to suit anything from email and internet junkies to touch screen and Windows Mobile sleekness. If you have seen another handset you like the look of, do let me know.
Our official announcement on the forum can be found here. I’d also ask that should you have any further feedback about the HTC HD2 decision that you add them to this thread and not open any new ones on the subject. This is to help funnel the information in one place and also help us to assist other queries effectively. All new threads on the HD2 will be closed and diverted immediately by the moderators.
I appreciate your patience during this time and should you wish to take any further action on your account upgrade or choose a different handset please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Kind regards,
Ben Haslehurst
eForum Team"
Is Vodafone's American cousin going to get any HD2 love?
"We haven't recalled or stopped selling it, at the moment we have simply ran out of stock."
Sigh. Run. Have *run* out of stock.