Android Phones
HTC Thunderbolt listed as $299.99 at Best Buy
March 7, 2011 | by Andrew Kameka
HTC, Verizon
The HTC Thunderbolt on Verizon has been seen and heard for months, but we still don’t know when it will be released. Best Buy has decided the waiting sucks and has at least told us how much the first Verizon 4G phone will cost: $299.99.
Best Buy previously announced that it would have a national retail exclusive on the Thunderbolt for what was originally thought to be a mid-February release. The Thunderbolt didn’t arrive during that window – some said because of battery issues, others because of network concerns – but whatever the reason, Best Buy is back to advertising the phone once again, which could signal that the Thunderbolt is finally closer to its release.
According to the Best Buy weekly ad, the Verizon Thunderbolt costs $299.99 with a two-year agreement. The phone is a whopping $749.99 when purchased off contract. The $299.99 listing bucks the trend of high-end Android smartphones being released for $199, and makes the Thunderbolt the most expensive on-contract phone seen in quite some time. This may cause some buyers to opt for an iPhone, Droid X, or wait for one of the many phones expected to be announced at this month’s CTIA show.
Verizon may price itself out of the market, but the Thunderbolt could still garner support thanks to some strong features. The Thunderbolt supports Verizon’s 4G LTE network, Skype video calling with a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 4G Mobile Hotspots, HTC Sense 2.0, 8GB internal memory and an included 32GB microSD card, and an 8 MP rear camera that can record 720p video. We’ll know soon if the Thunderbolt specs are enough to make people fork over the extra dough.
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Hmmm…thought of going to Verizon from AT&T. But to pay $600.00 plus activation fees for my wife and myself for 4G that's not even in our area and won't be for a while, I don't think so. Looks like the HTC Inspire for us, 1/3 the cost for TWO phones.
I dont see how this is really news, best buy as had that price listed in their ads for weeks now, and sorry when i go to my Htc Thunderbolt, i am not Going to Buy it from Best Buy, i will go to the Verzion store in Town.
So you can go put money into their ignorant ass pockets? Best Buy=NO COMMISSION SALES! Best Buy also means no to 5 min wait time, not 45. But do what you want.
No one buy the Thunderbolt when it releases. Verizon will drop the price, and then it may finally be reasonable enough to purchase.
Quick question – what does it mean by Skype's video calling….like say I buy the thunderbolt…could i skype say my girlfriend from her lap top that is at her house…or can i only skype people with thunderbolts
All signs point to being able to Skype video from phone to desktop from what I've seen. I'm not sure if group video chat will be supported, though.
$300?! I'd like to get this phone, but if I just wait ANOTHER few months (after all my 2 year BB Storm1 contract was up in Nov, so I'm USED to waiting) for the Bionic to come out, that will drop the price of the Thunderbolt – I may buy it then, or maybe I won't, Verizon can just wait on ME for a change.
Well said. I too have been waiting for this phone, but for $300, I can certainly wait a little longer. That price is ridiculous. Not to digress, but my last phone (2 yrs ago) was a Verizon BB Tour which I jumped on as soon as it came out. That phone was full of bugs but the hype was similar to this (for BB users anyway… ). Like Mike, I am in an area that is still awaiting 4G coverage. While I do want to be ready when 4G hits, $300 is asking a bit too much in my opinion. Maybe Verizon is getting a little too big for their boots. And there really are other carriers out there, so I am told.
Its inaccurate to say that a $300 price on contract is "the most expensive on-contract phone seen in quite some time." Do I need to remind you that since 2007, Apple's had a phone that sells for that price? And we all know how well its sold. But the Thunderbolt is no iPhone. Its arguably much better, as far as specs and tech goes. The question isn't if we techies will see this and react to it by buying the phone, its if the mass market will. Which I doubt. I've been psyched for this phone since September when pictures started leaking out. I played with it at CES. I've been following rumors ever since. Now I'm just fed up. Such pitiful communication from two huge companies (VZW and HTC) about the release date. April / May is right around the corner — might just wait for the dual-core Bionic — something the Thunderbolt can't brag about having.
The original iPhone was no contract, hence the high price.
Every major smartphone release since 2009 – except for the Epic 4G – has been $199. And when you look around at all the popular smartphones, that's typically the price.
What’s the big deal about the price when it hasn’t been released thats just bad business. I’ve been waiting patiently but now its ridiculous yet makes you not even want it just ro get back at them….bastards!
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