Current T-Mobile customers having hard time upgrading to HTC HD2 (updated with statement)
By Chris Ziegler 
posted May 7th 2010 2:28PM
posted May 7th 2010 2:28PM
First, the good news: T-Mobile's HD2 is in stock online and apparently at many corporate-owned retail locations. Now, the bad: the carrier seems to be putting these things on lockdown right now, only offering them to new customers signing up for a fresh contract. This is a tactic T-Mobile has applied in the past, so we're not terribly surprised to see them do it here, too -- but it's still a disappointment, especially considering that the phone has been out for a few weeks now. Just goes to show you that a net add is worth considerably more than a loyal customer is (particularly one who's still under contract), but in the meantime, might we recommend the iHTC HD2?Update: We've received an official statement from T-Mobile on the matter, and it sounds like they're "giving priority to existing customers" with new inventory coming in. Sweet! Here's the full verbiage:
"T-Mobile understands the inventory challenges for the HTC HD2 and continues to work diligently in order to supply our customers with this highly popular product. As we receive additional inventory of the HTC HD2, we are giving priority to our existing customers. However, the demand for the device is still exceeding our supply.
Depending on the location, some T-Mobile retail stores may still have some HTC HD2 inventory available. We suggest that interested customers contact their local T-Mobile store via phone before visiting to see if they have the HTC HD2 available. If they do not have the HTC HD2 available, some stores are taking names and contact information, and will be able to notify customers once that location has product available."
why would you want this when you can have the evo 4g :)
@hammydbest
Not everyone and their mom is on Sprint dumbass...especially considering the horrible numbers that Sprint is posting quarter after quarter.
@hammydbest amen. Couldn't have said it better myself. If you HAVE to be a new customer, be a new customer for Sprint on June 6th.
@TheLondonExchange
1. No need to call the guy a dumbass. He brings up a valid point. Technically speaking, the Evo offers some nice feature the HD2 does not. Also has Android if that's your cup of tea.
2. While their numbers may not look good, from the comments I read on Endaget and elsewhere seem to indicate people who have Sprint, love them. As a Big Red user, I can tell you I would love to take advantage of Sprint's (very) competitive pricing.
@hammydbest
could not agree more. Why settle for second best?
@hammydbest +1
I'm having a hard time upgrading windows 7 to windows 98..
I know what their going through.
@hammydbest Seriously, people keep saying this, but how many of you are willing to switch carriers just for a phone?
@hammydbest uh i just traded my iPhail for one to hold me over until the release of the HD3 w/ WinPho7 onboard... such an amazing phone, much better experience than my iphone AND im NOT on T-Mobile
@SteveyAyo
Can I use a T-Mobile branded HD2 with AT&T?
@zerotwone Yes, you definitely can... after unlock of course
@SteveyAyo
All T-Mobile phones come unlocked.
@Rem DX um the one i had definitely didnt
@SteveyAyo Not at 3g speeds. ATT and TMO 3g are on differing bands and the HD2 does not support ATT's band. It will work for GSM calling and GPRS/EDGE data
@Lucas
I went from T-Mo to VZW for the Droid. I can't believe the reception improvement.
@d0ug ah ok im not on ATT so i didnt know that
@hammydbest
I chose the HD2 over the EVO, mainly because:
1) Windows Mobile isn't that bad of a platform if your experienced with it. I personally find the experience much more satisfying than Android, especially with XDA Devs, and there is always the possibility of dual boot, since the performance specs are identical.
2) There is no 4G in Tucson, so it would be something completely useless to me.
3) I have a dedicated camera, so I don't need the 720p video or 8MP camera on the EVO, although it would be nice.
4) Sprint doesn't have any towers where I live. T-Mobile has 2.
5) I prefer the looks of the HD2 over the tacky black plastic on the EVO.
6) I'm not sticking with my Centro for another 2 months.
7) I have this really nice Sony Ericsson a friend gave me that needs a SIM.
8) The rates are cheaper.
So in many regards, I did not really settle for second best.
@Lucas I traded from sprint (htc hero) to tmobile for the nexus. I'm not on contract so I just sell my old rooted and unlocked phone and switch to another company. Since im in LA I get decent signal from the 4 major carriers and keeping my contacts backed up on google makes setting up my new phone easy. Admitidly I'm not switching just for the EVO or any other snapdragon using phone. I'm happy with my N1 for now. After something with a 1.5 GHz processor comes out then I'll consider it.
@hammydbest
Because I hate Android, it's buggier than Winmo 5, even the best 2 Android phones(Nexus one and Droid Incredible) are having tons of freezing and crashing problems, people just let it slide because it's from google.
Yea...they're stupid. They asked one of my friends to switch carriers for a night and then come back to T-Mobile to be able to upgrade. He decided to wait for Evo on Sprint.
@viditbhargava
Wouldn't blame them for leaving permanently. That is extremely dumb on their part.
This is the last of a dying breed...This will be the best and last decent Windows Mobile phone ever made. Sad.
*tears*
@DoctarPeppar
It certainly is. The last and greatest of the Windows Mobile device (and surprisingly one of the best devices out). At least winmo is going out with a bang on something as good as the HD2. RIP.
@ounkeo lol its sad but im alright with the change to winpho7... that being said, Doom II on this thing is BEASTLY
I'd actully use the HD2, the new windows OS I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. It's ugly as sin.
@Air Force One
Well... it's not as ugly as sin but it's way too un-PDA-like...
That's my reason for not wanting to upgrade.
@E71 well maybe ugly as sin is over the top but 6.5 looks better imo.
They seem to be over-estimating the appeal of this thing amongst the majority of their potential customers. Sure it's an awesome device, but if you go up to a random person on the street and say "HD2," you would probably get a blank stare more often than not. Hell, along those lines even saying "HTC" will probably give you a puzzled look most of the time.
@Leindurstit in UK people finally knowing HTC, probably because of their marketing campaign... before people would ask me what phone you have, and I go HTC. They are like is that Chinese KIRF?....
@Leindurstit 'Im pretty sure if you go up to a random person on the street and say random device names, you WILL get a blank stare.
...."CHOCOLATE!"
...."DROID!"
..."AERO!"
.."SHIT ...IN ...A CUP!
Of course, with the big carriers in the USA having been selling HTC devices branded as first-party devices for so many years, it's no surprise that HTC has virtually non-existent brand recognition in this country.
@Leindurstit probably because HTC is a product manufacture before they are an advertiser. Some of your beloved big guns out there are just marketing companies that happen to make hardware and software.
@Dking7 In the US, I usually find IT staff likely to have HTC phones. Mostly it's blackberry or iPhone and now I'm seeing more Droids with younger male professionals.
Even the HTC Incredible has a geekiness to it that would appeal to a niche. The Nexus One 'looks' like the most mainstream HTC product. The back of the Incredible looks quite strange!
Because this phone is garbage. It was the most overhyped product in history. I had it for 9 hours, then promptly returned it. The entire interface was clumsy, the touch recognition was spotty, and many others. Having a difficult time upgrading doesn't surprise me with this thing.
@SaggyBalls
Really? I've heard nothing but good things about the HD2.
@DoctarPeppar
I was extremely dissapointed also after trying the in store model. I'm used to an iPhone and being responsive and doing what I want it to do most of the time. It feels sluggish, and the keyboard needs improvement. It felt like typing of the iPhone 1.0. but of course maybe that was just the particular one that was on display. I'd be willing to give it a second chance, I was just shocked at how it performed vs everyone talking about how great htc phones are. The display is very nice though.
@TheKingOfHyrule ...maybe you caught a bad unit there or something running in the background bogging it down. They are really very fast machines.
@fast mine is ridiculously fast and blows my former iphone out of the water, the OS is beautiful and very streamlined, texting doesnt like to let me space words sometimes but thats kindof whatever my iphone did that too... its what i expect from soft keyboards. I really dont have anything bad to say about it except that i want winpho7 on it, but ill just buy the HD3 on release and be happy
@SaggyBalls
I'm never sure if people who say this did ever have one. My HD2 has been faultless, the interface is beautifull and even though my GF has an iPhone we often use my phone for TomTom and internet browsing as it simply works better.
I'm not getting into a debate over the HD2 and iPhone (we have both), but I am genuinely surpried that people criticise the HTC when it's such a great bit of kit.
@Jimbob
That's right, I'm lying about buying one and not liking it, because that makes perfect sense. There were many things that I hated about the phone, like the entire SMS layout and the management of the texts. Either way, I don't feel particularly inclined to justify myself to you and try and prove to you that I didn't care for the almighty HD2. I'm glad that you like it, I wish I did because I was excited about actually being able to use T-Mobile's 3g. Which can't be done on my now-out-of-retirement iPhone.
@SaggyBalls
I would have to agree with you. The keyboard lags so badly its impossible to type a message with absolutely nothing in the background according to the task manager. PS1 games run beautifully, but if you press the call button in the texting client half of the time the phone has a shit attack and needs a battery pull.
There is a reason it was equipped with a reset button, and it's because it's needed. A LOT.
It comes with Windows Mobile 6.5 pre-installed, enough said... Once, of if they upgrade it to Windows Mobile 7, it will draw a little more attention.Unfortunately, by then, HTC will have new hardware out that comes with it natively. If the HD2 came out with Android, WebOS or the iPhone OS pre-installed it, it would be a hot selling phone.
@OregonLAN
I actually won't get Windows phone 7.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/confirmed-htc-hd2-will-not-be-upgraded-to-windows-phone-7-serie/
I guess the whole windows 6.5 is junk argument just went out the window?
@OregonLAN
Wow I guess without an edit button I really need to learn to type.
"It" will not get Windows Phone 7
@thesafecigarette
That was my point exactly. It comes with Windows Mobile 6.5. Very few people prefer Windows Mobile 6.5 over WebOS, Android or iPhoneOS. Those that do are glutton for punishment. Windows Mobile 6.x is obsolete; HTC should never have released the HD2 with it pre-installed. It'd be like Apple releasing a new iPhone 4G with version 1.0 of its OS (and no upgrade option).
Please don't call it "Windows Mobile 7". It's "Windows Phone 7", and is *NOT* even backwards compatible with Windows Mobile. (A rather unfortunate fact given Windows Mobile's unmatched support for audio, video, and ebook formats.)
I waited for this phone since december and when i bought it, i was in so much anticipation that it would replace my iphone 2G. Two days later..the ear speaker broke and the thing would not stop freezing on me.
Not only that but the T-Mobile location in my area promised me a replacement once they got a new batch in, they even took my name down on a list. 3 days later the list was gone because "corporate said so" so i returned that P.O.S. and got my money back and i was taken back off contract (since mine was already up and i wasn't planning on leaving t-mobile)
I am now planning on leaving t-mobile, i was with them for 5 years and to be treated like this i was very upset. I would NOT recommend this phone to ANYONE unless you read up on it carefully because i am telling you now, IT WILL FREEZE OFTEN.
@SPENone This is typical experience to a normal Windows Mobile user.
Just roll with it and the other extras you do get such as customization, a large history of apps, a lot of mature features most phones are just catching up to, and generally the most solid/hackable Windows Mobile.
@NuShrike
Nah, i'll pass. EVO 4G or iPHONE 4, for me.
This is TRUE.
I bought a HD2 and still within my return period when I wanted another one for a family plan.
I call for a week and noone seems to have it.
Then a CS asked me is it for upgrade or new service ??
I'm like does it matter ???
Hes like "if you're getting new service, we might have some"
So I returned my HD2 and got a new line of service BOGO and got 2 HD2.
I have the HD2 and its almost flawless for me.
I love everything about it except for the market place.
Next to nothing apps.