Dell Streak now available unlocked for £449

Not a fan of being tied down to a single network? Neither are we, so let's all hold hands and rejoice at the news that Dell's 5-inch Streak has today become available to purchase unlocked over in the UK. Freedom lovers will have to pay a hefty £50 extra for being unshackled from O2's chains, but the £449 ($676) price point remains significantly lower than the 16GB iPhone 4 and should prove mighty tempting. Then again, if you wait until next month, you might be able to import one from the good old US of A, where Dell will be selling the unlocked Streak at a thrifty $500. It all depends on what you have more of, money or patience.

[Thanks, Manuel B.]

[ChazClout Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:09AM]

My lovely wife got me one yesterday (locked to o2 mind).

I love the thing!

[ChazClout Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:13AM]

@yankdez
+3 for this? http://www.chazclout.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/DSC00058.jpg

[geekthree Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:16AM]

@yankdez So he likes apple.. he's not all "ZOMG This sucks because apple didn't make it".

As an apple fan myself, I've had the pleaure of playing with the Streak, and while the keyboard in portrait mode's a little akward, its a very very slick device, and surprisingly thin.

If I didn't already own an iPad and iPhone, I'd consider this as a halfway mark between the two.

[someguy7234 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:20AM]

@ChazClout
+3 indeed. Thanks for the comparison photos!
Its taken a while, but there are now a load of phones that are iPhone quality and better. This can only be good for technophiles.

[ChazClout Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:22AM]

@geekthree

Ahh the keyboard. My one only gripe with it. Thanfully Swype alleviated that one.

Nice post geekthree. An Apple/Android world is entirely possible!

[ChazClout Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:24AM]

@someguy7234
Yup! good times to be into tech.

Moar shots here if you wanted to see them: http://www.chazclout.co.uk/?p=441

[Teslanaut Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:27AM]

@yankdez Hey, 1940, 1955, 1968 called, they each want their prejudice back.

GTFO Troll, it's 2010.

[geekthree Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:54AM]

@ChazClout oooo it totally never occoured to me to try that, I was playing with the o2 store demo, shall have to try that next time

[lookseehear Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:08AM]

@ChazClout

I'm really tempted to sell my htc desire and get a streak! Especially after it gets 2.2 (which I assume Dell are working tirelessly on!).

[PhillyZ Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:14AM]

@ChazClout

Lucky man!

The Dell Streak is by far the Sexiest phone I've seen now if it stole a few of the EVO's specs 8mp camera/dual flash & so on I'd really get a tech chubby!

[ChazClout Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:28AM]

@kid300 Just admit androids ugly

That's what she said.....
To you!

(BTW, I buy my devices for usability, not "OMGIWANNAHAVESEXWIDTHAT" appeal. That's what my wife is for.) ;)

[PhillyZ Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:31AM]

@Kid 300

Apple gambit huh lol, well I have had a iPhone 3G since launch ya I was a nerd who waited in line fml!
But, personally I see this huge screen an it's what I always wanted lol like the old HTC advantage running windows mobile 5.0

I went for the iPhone cause at the time 3.5" was big but as I watch more TV/films on my iPhone I find myself wanting a bigger screen, so EVO blew my mind with 4.3" but Dell Streak at 5" wow I'm so excited to get it!!!
I like the iPhone 4 just wish it had a 4" or bigger screen & decent antenna

[maty Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:32AM]

@kid300 Just admit androids ugly


I'm sorry kid300, but I, and many others disagree. I have one, and I must say its amazing. Its clean, fast has a lot of awesome functionality out of the box and is certainly a crowd pleaser. This alone has converted many of my collegues to go Android with their next phone upgrade.

The home screens are great, they keep everything organised and uncluttered, and widgets? Amazing! So simple yet so fundamental!

And that isn't an airbrushed image. Under the right light in my office it looks pretty much bang-on to the image Engadget posted. Its a wonderful piece of kit. I don't see what your problem is?

'Scuse me whilst I go back to checking my widgets and multi-tasking on a glorious 5" inch screen!

[angermeans Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:34AM]

@yankdez I happen to love Android, but I also love my Macbook Pro, and I love my XBox 360, and play the shit out of my PS3, and every once in awhile I'll pick up my fiance's iPhone and play some Plants vs Zombies. Seems to me the only one that should get a -1 is you for being so narrow minded that you are loyal to a brand that cares nothing about you. Seems to me that you are the one that is losing out on a lot of great tech products.

[TC Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:37AM]

@ChazClout
I think O2 UK run a policy whereby all the devices they sell are unlocked? Not sure if this applies to other devices than phones but I know a can put a Vodafone SIM in my O2 HD2 with no problem.

[AbsoluteDesignz Posted Jun 28th 2010 8:42AM]

@ChazClout I like you...you're a reasonable Apple fan...sorry, lemme rephrase that...you're a reasonable person.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jun 28th 2010 9:04AM]

I just want this damn phone to come out. I'm pretty sure it won't be sold in Canada through Dell.com so I'll have to order it and have it delivered to an address in the USA. Oh well, I want this phone bad.

[anotherworld Posted Jun 28th 2010 11:42AM]

@yankdez How come the icon would work for me? no matter what i upload nothing works..

[Andy4 Posted Jul 4th 2010 11:31AM]

@Plazmic Flame I hope newegg.ca will get it! A friend of mine pointed out that they ship a lot of their catalogue from the US. And they only charge $1 CAD brokerage fee. http://www.newegg.ca/HelpInfo/PolicyAgreement.aspx

I want to get an unlocked Streak to use as a pmp and for the Google turn-by-turn nav. It's a convenient size for media playing. (I've always wanted an Archos media player for that reason.) But I'll probably keep using my small Nokia 6300 for times when I'm going as minimal as possible.

[majinbu32 Posted Jul 12th 2010 4:21AM]

Phone seems awesome I'd trade my 3GS any day for this guy

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:11AM]

Less overpriced than an iPhone4 is like saying Abercrombie & Fitch advertisements are less homo-erotic than Chris Crocker videos.

I will raise you a "wait for the USA" and add a few months till it hits the $350 mark, then pounce like a fat kid that missed breakfast on a cupcake.

[SeeKo Posted Jun 28th 2010 11:13AM]

@Ducman69

But even when you strip it off it's VAT it is still $75 more expensive than it will be in the US. What's up with that?
Good point on value for money though! Thank god some few companies don't put like a 50% premium on their name.

[ssguy Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:13AM]

Finally a phone designed for Shaquille O'Neal, Paul Wight and The Undertaker.

[rodolforfq Posted Jun 28th 2010 7:39AM]

@ssguy
And me :)

[Hydraulics Posted Jun 29th 2010 7:13AM]

@ssguy

The Great Khali!

[abedinthehouse Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:13AM]

@yankdez
Well if thats the standard, then the Streak wins because it has REAL Gorilla Glass.


(I know Apple nvr claimed to be using gorilla glass, but they praised their glass so highly and lead people to assume it was on par with GG)

[Xcharles718 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:13AM]

Hope it supports T-Mobile issue 3g bands

[rehan716 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:15AM]

Unlock phones FTW!!

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:41AM]

@rehan716 Amen, except aside from prepay plans, carriers in the US don't offer non-subsidized rates. But at least your ankle isn't chained to them for the next few years.

[r00tcause Posted Jun 28th 2010 1:32PM]

@Ducman69

T-Mobile does...

[geekthree Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:18AM]

@yankdez Alot of people own one, or have used one. It's like how people on ebay often do size comparasons with a packet of ciggarettes, everyone's seen a ciggarette packet.

I don't think there's anything sinister behind it.

[Gonzie Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:18AM]

£50 is significantly cheaper?

not in my book

[IMarius Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:24AM]

hmmm ..........dual boot with MeeGo ?

[Marko Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:28AM]

Yes, but if you import the thing and you factor in postage and import duties, it will come down to the same price. Except you have to wait for it to arrive.

[Kelmon Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:34AM]

@Marko

You might also have issues with the warranty. It's not unusual for electronics companies to require the return of defective units to either the country or region of purchase, which obviously is a pain in the backside. This is one reason why I don't buy Nikon camera equipment in Hong Kong despite it costing peanuts in comparison to local prices, for example.

[Kelmon Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:28AM]

I wouldn't advise importing from the US unless you are confident that you can dodge the VAT and Duty charges (e.g. misdeclaring the product on the commercial invoice or carrying it back on your person). By the time you've whacked VAT and duty on top of the basic US price (which, I assume, does not include the local sales tax either) then you're going to be looking at the same sort of costs as you can get in the UK. It would only be worth importing from the US if the product comes with more.

[Marko Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:30AM]

@yankdez - It always is. period! live with it! However, its only 10% difference, so it is not a huge discrepancy!

[Yankee Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:31AM]

Is the Dell Streak pocketable? I know it's got a 5" screen so it looks pretty ridiculous if you try to hold it against your ear as a phone, but can it comfortably fit in a pocket? If they had made it thinner and with absolutely minimal bezel and it could have almost passed for a smartphone. That 5" screen needs a higher resolution too.

[riotofmyown Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:36AM]

@Yankee mine fits in my jeans pocket no problem. I have a Nexus One running 2.2, an iPad and a 3Gs and the Streak is my favourite of them all. Superb screen and more portable than the iPad. Oh and I bought from the Carphone Warehouse on launch day and my device is unlocked ... ;)

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:37AM]

@Yankee Yup, it absolutely is pocketable, and is appropriately sized for man hands and helps the Burger King Texas double-whopper in your left hand and "Don't Mess with Texas" belt buckle on your lap look proportional.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/02/mini5pocket02142010.jpg

YEEHAWWW!!!

[Landlord Posted Jul 1st 2010 11:52AM]

@Yankee Yes it's easily pocketable unless you're tiny or extremely thin, or a child. It fits even into fairly narrow jeans pockets. You'll never forget it's there, but neither will you with a lot of other smartphones with 3.5-4.3" screens.

[asgiov Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:34AM]

Now guys with a small penis have another way to make-up for it.

[captnlove Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:58AM]

@asgiov I can only imagine how happy you must feel.

[ReVrenHex Posted Jun 28th 2010 6:36AM]

@captnlove I see what you did there!

[asgiov Posted Jun 28th 2010 8:04AM]

@captnlove
.... Implying you have seen something you shouldn't have....?

[bufbarnaby Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:36AM]

YES !!!

[netsql Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:38AM]

In USA?

[GoodToGo Posted Jun 28th 2010 5:46AM]

Waiting eagerly for this to hit USA. Come on Dell, whats the hold up?

[Ducman69 Posted Jun 28th 2010 8:13AM]

@GoodToGo

Whats up with that anyway? HQ is in Roundrock, TX. Shouldn't we get dibs?

[skrapgiarc Posted Jun 28th 2010 9:41AM]

@Ducman69
We'll all be happy they waited when it's released in the USA with froyo! I think that's all they're waiting for!