HTC smartphone prices go down
Like many other consumer products, mobile phones that have been on the market will usually get a price drop. Today, HTC sent a note saying that many of its smartphones will come with lower prices starting today. Here are the new prices (original retail price at product launch is shown in brackets):
Update (08 Feb 2010): We have added the launch date of each product to give a better context of the price reduction.
- HTC Magic--S$648 (S$1,048/June 2009)
- HTC Hero--S$698 (S$898/Sept 2009)
- HTC Tattoo--S$468 (S$598/Nov 2009)
- HTC Touch2--S$468 (S$618/Oct 2009)
- HTC Touch Diamond2--S$678 (S$1,088/Apr 2009)
- HTC Touch Pro2--S$788 (S$1,328/June 2009)
- HTC Touch HD2--S$918 (S$1,188/Nov 2009)
- HTC Snap--S$498 (S$688/Aug 2009)
- HTC Snap (without camera)--S$418 (S$598/Jan 2010)
- Note: The listed prices are for the Singapore market. Check with your local HTC office for the new prices in your currency.
In a way, HTC seems to be competing with itself. Unless its upcoming products have new features so compelling it puts them head and shoulders over the Nexus One, it simply doesn't make sense to sell them over S$1,000 anymore. The price of the Nexus One has set a precedent that we feel is hard to reverse.
Of course, that's not the whole story. The Google phone isn't available from operators here in Asia and thus doesn't enjoy heavy subsidies. That's still the preferred way of buying a phone as the initial outlay from the consumer is much reduced with a telco contract. In that aspect, HTC-branded phones still have an advantage.
But for those who prefer to buy their HTC smartphones unlocked and without obligation, you can save a few hundred dollars. Remember to send Google a thank you note.
About the author
Editor John Chan's love for gadgets can be traced back to the days when he disassembled his toys and couldn't put them back together again. He practices great restraint in not opening up every review product that comes through the CNET Asia Labs, and before that, in his previous job at HardwareZone. He has reviewed items big and small, from mobile phones to projectors and feels everyone should carry a multitool at all times in case of MacGyver situations.
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