HTC and Optus this morning just announced their latest Android release, the HTC Aria. Available from mid-October for $0 upfront on a $49 cap plan, including 1GB of data, the phone will be an Optus exclusive.
Running Android 2.1 the phone boasts a 3.2-inch HVGA screen and a respectable 5MP camera. But perhaps more interesting is what won’t be included, given HTC’s recent Android announcements. The Aria won’t, for example, launch with Froyo, instead coming with the Eclair flavour of Android and HTC’s Sense skin. It also won’t support the HTCSense.com online service, meaning you can’t manage, back up or track the phone online.
As you can see, the insides look just like the internals of the WinMo-rockin’ HD Mini, which is apparently based on HTC’s Horace Luke’s bright yellow Audi.
There’s no word on whether or not the phone will get a Froyo upgrade either, which coupled with the lack of support for all those recent Android announcements from HTC, kind of makes this outdated before it’s even on sale. Which seems to be a growing problem with Android at the moment…
Rakesh
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 1:06 PMThis on the 49$ cap? This confuses me, you can get a Galaxy S, Desire, iPhone 3GS (Hell, even a iP4 on the Virgin 39$ cap) and this budget Android phone is on the 49$ cap.
Mi
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 2:15 PMHmm… this or HTC’s Desire HD?
Gage
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 5:11 PM*cough* Desire HD :)
dawdle
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 6:08 PMThe phone itself only costs around $530 upfront. Why this would be on a $49 cap, is beyond my comprehension.
dave
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 11:41 PMso annoyed been waiting for this phone for a while expecting it to be the first decent android in my price range a 29 cap. No way this phone should be more than 30 bucks a month. The x10 is still a grand outright and yet it is on the 29 cap
Tom Tucker
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 9:37 AMYou forget the sales kickbacks Telcos get and they always get kick backs – thats how they make money and that’s how they’ve always made money.
So that said, I think you should raise your concern to HTC and ask them why they aren’t giving Optus enough sales kickbacks?
PS
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 9:33 PMDoes seem really rich @ $49. It would appear that Optus is just trying to cash in & get a quick buck in the early hype as people go “Wow a HTC phone with Optus”. When the reality sets in and people work out how over priced the phone is on a $49 plan it will reside in the $30 plan, its rightful place. Being honest it looks a great phone but not as good as the desire. Lacking Froyo & sense its below par. If you buy this over the Helstra Desire deal the word insane comes into mind.Come on Optus you want our business at least offer something comparable to Helstra. They obviously think we are stupid!!!
Lev
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 12:48 AMI picked mine up on Saturday and I’m darn well pleased. The economics may not make sense but I think the outright price is undervalued. Smaller is of real value to me as in physical size, and I personally would expect to pay a premium for that. The other handsets you mention may be superior in many ways but there is no way I would lug them around hence not even a consideration even if on a cheaper plan. It’s a beautiful phone too so across all aspects, count me in as an advocate. Worth it for me. Each to their own and ultimately the market will decide whether or not to fill Optus’s coffers on this one
Kazz
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 11:33 PMI found out today that I can get this for only $30 p/month, that’s $19 plan plus $11 for phone. I thought that was pretty good!