Yesterday afternoon, the folks at HTC finally announced the Aussie release of the HTC Hero and HTC Tattoo. The good news? They’re being sold unlocked through Harvey Norman for $799 and $599 respectively. The bad news? That means you’ll have to find your own contract with a data plan, which isn’t necessarily the easiest thing in the world.
Both phones only work on the 900/2100MHz HSPA networks, which means you’re on Voda or Optus (and not Telstra like we heard), unless you’re happy sitting on 2G speeds. The Tattoo will also let you buy custom body cases for $30 from Garskin.
The lack of a carrier partner means that there won’t be any over-the-air software updates, which probably won’t phase too many Optus Dream owners. And while that price is a bit more expensive than getting an unlocked version from overseas, HTC were quick to point out that you won’t get a proper Australian warranty if you grey import.
For everyone who has been waiting for the Hero to launch in Australia, what do you think about this launch strategy? Is selling it unlocked a good or bad move on HTC’s part?
ThePengwin
November 19, 2009 at 10:06 AM
My next phone will definitely be an unlocked phone. Maybe not a Hero, but i think ill stick with the HTC line.
Hoping an unlocked TP2 shows up on the shelves.
Report PermalinkTai
November 19, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I’ve had my Hero for months, and I got it for $650 delivered…. So $150 extra for a “warranty” for a phone that most likely wont break and you will most likely update in 6-12 months seems a bit rich.. I want android to do well, but I don’t think an expensive and late Hero is the way to go..
All phones should be unlocked..
TJ’s tip: Buy a Virgin Iphone with a decent data plan… Sell the iphone to some fanboi for $650 on ebay and go buy one from UK or Hong Kong.. That’s what I did ;)
Then you have an awesome andoid phone on a good call/data plan for cheap!
Report PermalinkSam Pryor
November 19, 2009 at 10:10 AM
why do they have to be such dicks with the pricing?
Report PermalinkThePengwin
November 19, 2009 at 10:34 AM
iPhone outright prices:
http://store.apple.com/au/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone
Comparable?
Report Permalinkash
November 19, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Dont forget if you want 16gb of storage you will need a class 6 micro SDHC card, going rate of around $96…cheapest i could find in store, ebay has alot of fakes around as reported by whirlpool users.
I have had one, and from my experience i was running out of room for apps, and for the life of me could not get Aps2SD to work, its such a effing hassle which i did not want to deal with for a phone, reminded me of my unlocking jailbreak days of the iphone 2g from the US.
ANyways Android is cool, just want it on a phone that runs as fast as my 3GS, and also want the camera quality to improve because the Hero took worse photos than my Nokia from 2007.
Report PermalinkAdz
November 19, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I’ve had my Hero for about 6 weeks and love it.
I much prefer the buy outright and unlocked option.
Report Permalinkash
November 19, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Yeah considering people have been buying these from the UK for around $650AU for the past few months…$800 is just balls. Especially with the $ doing alright these have been going for under $600 delivered from Handtec.
Anybody looking at this type of phone would be doing their research as this isnt a pre paid nokia 3210 for $19, so most would be aware there are cheaper options out there.
And yes…i too want Android to do well but you should not have to sign up for an iPhone, sell it then get the phone you really want just to get a decent plan.
Report PermalinkJason
November 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Too little, too late. If they’d released it like this when it was the hot new thing, it might have been successful, but as it is the Hero is rapidly becoming a last gen phone, being surpassed by the Droid and the few other phones to be released early next year.
It’s basically the same price as the base iPhone 3GS outright, once you factor in buying a reasonably sized SD card. The hardware is not equivalent though, and the iPhone is from Apple, so it’s inherently ludicrously overpriced. Which leaves the Hero sitting at a price point well above where any sane person would purchase it.
The only reason to buy one from here would be to encourage HTC (and the other handset manufacturers) to release their phones here in a timely fashion, rather than 2 months after the fact.
Report PermalinkPinballLes
November 19, 2009 at 1:44 PM
If you don’t make a lot of calls just sign up for a mobile broadband plan and use the sim in the phone instead of the USB modem. Get heaps of data for a reasonable price, and you only pay additional for any calls you make or smses that you send.
Report PermalinkRoger Barnes
November 19, 2009 at 1:55 PM
I prefer the unlocked/outright approach, I’m not at all interested in carrier contracts, limits and their customised (aka crippled) phones. Agree that the “premium” for a warranty is pretty excessive. Not surprising though, since Aussie customers are routinely fleeced on tech goods.
Dear HTC – please drop the price, your warranty isn’t worth that much over an import.
Report PermalinkTravis Young
November 19, 2009 at 4:08 PM
I like the idea of unlocked, no contract phones. But as an OPTION, in this case I can’t afford that outright and would much rather just renew my old contract and have a phone thrown in.
Of course, I’m with Telstra, no Android for me yet.
Unless someone picks up the game rather smartly there’s going to be a lot of unhappy Telstra customers griping at HTC, Telstra, or anyone within earshot.
Report PermalinkDavid Anderton
November 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
So does this mean Virgin will never offer these HTC’s?
Report PermalinkAndrew Gibson
November 20, 2009 at 8:59 AM
I bought my Hero thru Expansys a few months ago. Paired it up with a Vodafone $49/month cap with the addition of a $10/month data plan. Although you don’t get much data, it’s enough for check email and the occasional website. Love the phone!
Report Permalinkanthony
November 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Would have been better to go TPG, 50$ / month = 1000$ credit + 500 megs..
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