HTC Legend with North American 3G now available unlocked
By Chris Ziegler 
posted June 17th 2010 6:29PM
posted June 17th 2010 6:29PM
posted June 17th 2010 6:29PM
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"Any takers?"
No, the Legend is miles behind now.
@AJerman
What is this HTC?
I only know Apple and My wallet.
@AJerman
Miles behind? No. It's a midrange Android handset.
That said, since it's about the same price as a Nexus One, I'd go with that.
@AJerman
The legend was never meant to be a top tier phone. Its a nice reasonably priced android phone with pretty good specs.
@AJerman
Top tier a year ago is only mid-tier now. Such is the progress of technology.
What I wish is to have more 1-year contracts so I can upgrade every year without issues. I guess right now, I just have to pay $200 more than "new customer pricing" for that privilege.
@AJerman
It definitely isn't supposed to be a high end device. It's a solid mid range phone and I have to say, I'm lovin the aluminum unibody design.
@AJerman This thing feels great in hand. I was very impressed.
Sorry, but a "solid mid-range" phone doesn't go for $500 unsubsidized. As mentioned already, you can get much better phones for nearly the same price if you must go unsubsidized. This phone stands no chance in the US without being paired with a carrier at a price tag of $150 max.
This phone may be a solid mid range phone now, but in a couple of months it will be low end. It's taken too long to get to market to have a chance. Unless you like to pay $500 for a "pretty" phone (if you call it that, I personally think the chin design is terrible, but that's just my opinion), this won't see many sales.
How many of you that just disagreed with me would buy this phone for $500 over an EVO or iPhone 4 for $200, or if you must go unsubsidized, the Nexus One for $529. I didn't say it was a bad phone, I said it's not going to sell because it was never given a chance in the US.
@AJerman
Few if any people here would do it. Then again, we aren't normal consumers. Compared to the Nexus One, the Nexus is huge. If you're a person that want's a relatively small Android phone, guess which one is getting picked.
The phone isn't going to turn into a hot seller (no unlocked phone in the US will) but there are people that put form before function.
@BigJayDogg3 Well, I'm sure it will have some sales, I don't doubt that, but you're right, those of us who read sites like this want something more powerful, and the normal consumer probably doesn't buy phones unsubsidized, so it leaves a very limited audience for the Legend in the US. If they wanted to sell it for $500 unsubsidized, it needed to be more than what it is.
@AJerman
nope
it's 350 with Virgin Mobile (a bell subsidiary) and 399 from Bell. (I don't get the price plan either)
I'm sure it costs less than 150 or 100 to unlock a Virgin phone.
@AJerman
There are more demographics than tech geeks and "normal people." There are people that want the ability to travel with their Android smartphone (and side-load apps DAMN YOU AT&T). Past those factors, they don't really care what phone they buy. Then you consider the AT&T N1 is still relatively hard to find, and the Legend is a MUCH better looking phone, there are people who will buy it.
@BigJayDogg3
Note to future commenters: DONT FEED THE TROLL!
@AJerman
More likely that you are miles behind
@Oghowie
that's what she said
@BigJayDogg3 I don't know who the troll comment was to, but for your sake, I'll assume you understand that not everyone has to share your opinion and hope that it wasn't directed towards me.
Anyway, I still don't see very many people in any demographic buying this phone, other than the people who specifically like this phone and have been waiting for it to hit US bands.
You mentioned traveling, for simplicities sake, I'll just use the N1 as example. The N1 would travel just as well as this phone, so that's not going to be a pull towards the Legend, it's still just up to it's looks which some people seem to like very much. I'm certain it is a very solid phone by it's construction type as well, but you're basically hinging it's sales on being solid and looking good. I just don't see many getting sold for $500 on that alone.
As for the N1, I'm not sure why you say they are hard to find. Unless I'm missing something, all you do is go to google.com/phone and order one and they'll ship it to you overnight.
Also, since we mentioned differing opinions, I still maintain that the Legend is one of the ugliest current phones, but that's me, and I understand that other people may not agree so I'm leaving that completely out of my reasoning for thinking this won't sell. I just don't think they tried with the Legend. It could have been a good seller, but as hard as it is to sell the N1 unsubsidized, it's going to be a lot harder to sell the Legend, I think.
@Physicsguy89 It was called a bloody SUPERPHONE when it launched.. it clearly was intended to be a high end device not a capable midrange device, and it was outclassed on that margin the day it was released. Revisionist history doesn't change the past, only what you wish happened in the past.
@Jeff Kibuule It's not a 1 year contract but Sprint Premier would allow you to do exactly that...
@AJerman
No, actually I wasn't referring to you with the troll comment. Unlike some, you actually have a valid opinion. I think its wrong, but then again, that's what we're debating now isn't it. ^_^
Anyway, if you look back a few years you can see examples of how much design alone can drive sales. Remember the RAZR?
The Nexus One is still relatively hard to attain. Beside the fact that they've been out of stock due to the AMOLED screen (another problem in and of itself), far more people will buy a phone from Amazon, Overstock, Newegg, etc. than they will the Google.com/phone site. My mom bought her phone through Amazon, but she frowned upon my considering getting the N1.
Regardless, we'll have to agree to disagree. I personally think this phone will do about as well as any unlocked/unbranded only phone in the US can expect to do. And when you look at it in that light, I see the Legend doing well for itself. It won't smash records, but a decent number of them will move.
@BigJayDogg3 Well, I certainly don't wish any bad upon it. If they can do well then that's great. Regardless, the important thing is that the choice is there for those who want it. Nothing to complain about there.
@jabbathewocket
The legend was never launched as super phone.
@jabbathewocket Nope. Please provide evidence of this 'superphone claim' nonsense. I've never heard of the phone called as such. It launched parallel to the Desire in European markets as a cheaper, nicer looking alternative with a durable body (which is, and always has been, its biggest selling point). If HTC indeed call the Legend a Superphone, what the hell is the Desire which is its direct stablemate?
@Oghowie That's what she said!
Will it work with T-Mobile?
@TheSunman89
"850 / 1900MHz 3G"
No.
@TheSunman89
It will work but no 3G.
WAIT FOR G7 IN CANADA ......
Where is the unlock EVO???
Man, that phone has some awesome build quality.
Any takers? Wait till June 24th and ask that again :D
I'd rather buy the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Touch (not a phone)
WVGA SuperAMOLED screen
1GHz Samsung Coretex-A8
5mp megapixel camera capable 720p
It's expected to be around in the US for $330
I don't like the optical trackpads, i find no use in the pearl dpads either, but the optical ones are just hard to use that one time ever you want to use it
still a purty phone
slap a sticker of a half eaten fruit on it... It'll sell just fine.
These are just the unlocked Bell/Virgin mobile ones... Literally nothing special about them. Other than being gorgeous and surprisingly snappy.
It's 400$ On Virgin Mobile off contract.
@Auouywonz ...In Canada, I should say.
@Auouywonz
They don't ship to the United States, I'm sure.. lol
I really won't buy it.
And this is why the Nokia N8 will win in the end. It will cost about the same and have plenty more than any other phone on its price range.
The only thing this has over it is Android and that's a very subjective advantage.
Note that I'm not talking about the US, but the rest of the world.
meh!
if you're gonna pay the $100/mo in service fees, you'd might as well get the $300 subsidy
i like the iphone ecosystem but not ATT. i like Evo but not its inferior screen tech or battery life. i like the Galaxy S but still looks like only ATT's in the works for that. man... i know waiting on the sidelines is a neverending proposition, but it's hard to justify getting any phone right now :/
Well, it's available unlocked on Newegg for a while now. This is old.
@cdf74dc9 Yea along w/ the Desire. Both have been available for weeks. Legend probably months by now.
@cdf74dc9
uh no. this is the unlocked, 850 mhz, north american version. you probably meant the 900/2100, mhz european version.
@EPA2000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875502046
HTC Legend Silver Unlocked GSM Smart Phone with GPS, Wi-Fi, Touch Screen
Form Factor: Bar Phones
Wireless Radio: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz UMTS 900/2100 MHz
Compatible Carrier & Service: AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers, Fido
Wi-Fi Support: IEEE802.11b/g
Model #: Legend Silver
Item #: N82E16875502046
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
@hybridr6
rofl, you just proved yourself wrong thinking you're proving him wrong. GSM 950 does not = HSDPA UTMS 950.
AKA NO 3G, newegg is EU version.
@treats Thanks for pointing out my error in the most polite and helpful manner. I don't memorize cell phone tech.
If I buy this phone or a Nexus One, will it work with "basic phone" internet on AT&T?
@lanreb
This possibly. Don't bet on it.
Nexus One No.
@BigJayDogg3
For T-Mobile, are all the internet plans the same? (Even More VS. Even More Plus)
@lanreb - Both would "work" on that plan, but only for a few hours. AT&T actively checks to make sure you're on the appropriate data plan and switches you to one if you're not.