The HTC HD2 hit Telstra T-Life stores yesterday, as we knew it would. And as you can see from the box shot above, the one word that really describes it well is “big”.
The phone’s available for $0 up front on an $80 plan over 24 months on Telstra, or an $85 Mobile PLUS plan if you’re a business owner. If you want to buy it outright, it’ll set you back a cool $829.
The Telstra exclusive runs until March 30, so if you don’t like the idea of switching to Telstra but really want a Winmo phone, you could hold off until then.
HTC UNVEILS ITS MOST EXCITING WINDOWS® PHONE YET –
THE HTC HD2 ON TELSTRA’S NEXT G™ NETWORKHTC HD2 delivers an unprecedented Windows phone experience with a high-resolution, 4.3 inch capacitive touch display and HTC Sense user experience
Sydney, Australia – January 19, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile phone technology and design, today unveiled the HTC HD2 – exclusively on Telstra’s Next G™ network – Australia’s largest and fastest 3G network. With its industry leading, high-resolution 10.9cm (4.3 inches) capacitive touch display, the ultra thin HTC HD2 delivers sharper, brighter and richer visible content to users.
“The HTC HD2 is one of the most advanced and intuitive phones HTC has ever created,” said Anthony Petts, Sales and Marketing Director ANZ, HTC Corporation. “The phone provides users with the winning combination of Windows® Phone functionality and one of the largest, most visually stunning capacitive touch displays available on the market. It is simply a joy to use.”
The HD2 uses the first capacitive touch display on a Windows phone to make viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft Office files, PDF documents and pictures easier with just a pinch of your fingers. The large display also enables faster, more efficient and accurate typing using the onscreen keyboard. Utilising Qualcomm’s new 1 GHz Snapdragon mobile processor, the HTC HD2 offers enhanced performance that improves the speed of applications, videos, games and more.
Ross Fielding, Executive Director, Telstra Wireless, Data, Applications and Services, said Telstra is pleased to offer the new HD2 exclusively on the Telstra Next G™ network.
“We are pleased to continue our close working relationship with HTC to launch the HD2 which combines major advances in smartphone screen quality and processing power. With a processor that makes the HD2 almost twice as powerful as smartphones released just last year, customers can run popular apps like email, games and Windows applications faster and, importantly, simultaneously. Our fast, always 3G Next G™ network adds to the experience by making web applications like Facebook more responsive and web browsing effortless.” Mr Fielding said.
“Another highlight is HD2’s impressive high definition screen that delivers the ultimate Mobile TV experience. Customers can enjoy up to 31 Mobile FOXTEL channels including FOX8, FOX SPORTS and MTV with enhanced stereo sound and picture quality. It’s perfect for both work and play.”
Grace Kerrison, Director, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft Australia, said:
“Everyday – from home to work to play– now it is easier than ever to stay in touch and get more done throughout your day with a Windows® phone. With the release of the new HTC HD2, we are delivering a great phone that helps connect Australians to the people and information they care about, wherever they are, using a smartphone that everyone will love.”With a wealth of applications at the new Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, Microsoft’s free My Phone service, Twitter and Facebook apps, 5MP autofocus camera with dual LED light, up-to-date share information, localised animated weather experience and exclusive BigPond content and Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra, staying in touch, informed and entertained has never been easier, or clearer.
HTC Sense
The HTC HD2 is the first Windows phone developed with HTC Sense, a user-focused experience based on personalisation and accessibility. Developed with a passion for enhancing people’s lives through innovation, design and ease of use, HTC Sense is based on three fundamental principles of Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected.Make It Mine
The HD2 continues HTC’s drive for personalisation by reflecting not only what you want on your phone, but also where you are. Using its large 4.3” (10.9cm) window-like display, HTC has brought a new dimension to weather with a localised, animated weather experience that uses HD2’s entire display without being invasive to your important content and information. The HD2 can also be further enhanced to reflect a customer’s needs and style by downloading a wealth of applications at the new Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.Stay Close
The HD2 helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life with HTC’s people-centric communication approach. This approach provides a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of conversations regardless of whether a call, text, Facebook status update or email is used. While in the midst of an email exchange owners can easily transition to a call by pressing the call button. HTC has also included a new Windows-based version of its Twitter application, HTC Peep. The pictures taken with the 5MP camera can also be quickly shared via Facebook or Twitter.Discover the Unexpected
With the HTC Sense experience, the HTC HD2 includes a variety of enhancements that expand and improve the overall phone experience. The HD2 includes a variety of sensors including a proximity sensor that is used to prevent false screen touches when the phone is picked up to answer or make a call. A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the display. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, the HTC HD2 can be used as a Wi-Fi router offering personal Wi-Fi for laptops or other devices on the go.Windows phone
As a new Windows phone, the HTC HD2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by Windows Mobile® 6.5. Offering a best-in-class email experience complete with the ability to synchronise with Microsoft Exchange, users have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts. Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables users to automatically back up and synch photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the HD2 to the web, and Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, a new marketplace that will provide direct-to-phone mobile applications, can be accessed from both the phone and the Web.Pricing & Availability
The HTC HD2 will be available exclusively to Telstra customers initially through Telstra T[life] ™ stores, Telstra Shops and dealers from 19 January (exclusive to Telstra until 30 March 2010). The HTC HD2 has an RRP of $829, and is also available for $0 upfront on a $80 plan over 24 months. It is also available on a range of Telstra Enterprise & Government and Telstra Business plans including for $0 upfront on a new $85 Mobile PLUS plan.