We'd hypothesized that neither Sprint nor T-Mobile wouldn't be able to hold out long at the positively ridiculous $349.99 on-contract price point they'd both set for the HTC
Touch Pro2 out of the gate, and it looks like at least one of the two might finally be getting the hint. Sprint's now rumored to be bringing the beastly smartphone down to $199 after mail-in rebate, which would match
Verizon's current pricing -- a move Sprint simply had to make, especially considering that the carrier typically positions itself as a value brand. Hopefully this rumor pans out, in which case T-Mobile will be looking pretty silly if they hold out at $350; if they capitulate, that'll put all of the currently-released US Touch Pro2s under the magic $200 mark and put a ton of pressure on AT&T to stay in line by the time it drops the green flag.
[Thanks, Guy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fulsxy85 @ Sep 29th 2009 8:36PM
I suspected this was gonna happen all along now the questions is when Ive been holding on replacing my beat up touch diamond for months waiting for this and then the price came in so high I was about to drop winmo and get a bb tour but definatly will get the pro now hopefully this happens within the month cause my Touch Diamond is on life support.
Don Louie @ Sep 29th 2009 8:40PM
I would love to see this happen just to shut up those vzw posters
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Sep 30th 2009 12:39AM
regardless of this price drop, the Sprint version was always cheaper in the long run after the 2 year agreement. i'm a Verizon customer and i know that. anyone who says otherwise was just delusional. i would get Sprint since it's much cheaper but they don't cover my area very well, so Verizon it is.
Brent Schmidt @ Sep 29th 2009 9:01PM
If this happens before Oct 11... I may go for this instead of the Hero.
Adam @ Sep 29th 2009 9:11PM
I just spoke with a Sprint Telesales Supervisor named Antonio out of Manila Philippines and he stated that Sprint just received news the Sprint Hero's October 11th release date will be pushed back and they have no idea to what date currently. What a joke, I was just calling to try and figure out if it needed an everything Data Plan. Any confirmation on the release date being pushed back or if it can be on a retention plan that includes everything data?
Adam @ Sep 29th 2009 9:13PM
correction, not an everything data plan. A free and clear retention plan which has free unlimited data included as an add on. Thanks
mathias @ Sep 29th 2009 10:10PM
Hopefully this is not true, but if it is thenI hope it doesn't get pushed back further than November, when I can change phones again hah
Naples_Dmarko @ Sep 29th 2009 9:25PM
Wow! Now I wish T-Mobile would follow suit !
See..Sprint sees more informed smartphone users prefer leading Operating systems like WinMo , Blackberry or even Palm OS. And they also know that they will not get new subscribers or more inventory at the ungodly $349 price point.
Deustche Telekom needs to make a phone call first thing tommorrow morning to corporate T-Mobile USA and tell them to do the same !
HTC Pro Touch 2 s will not move nor will T-Mo gain new subscribers (or renewed 2 yr agreements ..like my case) by trying to pawn off the phone at these prices.
Maybe it's time to look at Sprint.
Zap @ Sep 29th 2009 10:23PM
I know you didn't just call Palm OS a leading smartphone OS? You can maybe argue Windows(its be a weak argument, but make able) but Palm OS is NOT not in marketshare or what it can do
Blad3 @ Sep 29th 2009 11:01PM
@zap
I know you didnt just call windows mobile OS at almost 12% marketshare a weak argument as compared to only 8 for apple? moron
Karen @ Sep 29th 2009 10:16PM
Assuming Sprint still releases the Hero in October, and they lower the price of the TP2... I'll definitely be making a prolonged trip to the Sprint store to try both out and make my choice!
mappo @ Sep 29th 2009 10:16PM
I've been waiting a looong time for this phone to be released, then to be sold at a reasonable price, then to be sold at a reasonable price by anyone other than VZW. And now that it's here...I want the Leo instead. Gonna wait till that one's released and see if it'll support US 3G bands.
Who? @ Sep 30th 2009 12:55AM
I'm in the same exact boat as you; I've been waiting for Sprint to lower the TP2 (I knew that at least on Black Friday there would be a reasonable price), but I really want the Leo now. But the Leo is going to be priced way too high, unless Sprint is planning on carrying it -- they're the only carrier (besides T-Mobile) from which we haven't heard plans to release the Touch Diamond2 or some variant on it (like the Whitestone on Verizon). Could they be waiting for the Leo? Wishful thinking, of course.
I am a bit torn though about whether I want the Leo. As a happy AT&T Tilt owner of almost 2 years, I love the form factor (except for the thickness). I'd rather not type on a screen.
Volite @ Sep 30th 2009 10:09AM
@mappo: Just get something already! If the Leo comes and you don't get one, I'm gonna f**king roast your nuts.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Sep 30th 2009 12:48AM
i just want to try the damn thing out honestly. i plan on buying it next Friday (if VZW restocks) since my contract is up then but my VZW store still doesn't have a demo unit up and it's been out for a couple weeks now. it's a shame i may have to go the Sprint store to test it out but so be it.
and back on topic, there was no way these carriers were going to keep selling the same phone at a $150 premium. the drop was bound to happen sooner or later and i expect T-Mobile to do the same too in the coming weeks. otherwise, i guess they don't really want to sell the phone.
iono @ Sep 30th 2009 10:24AM
Why not try it out at a T-mobile/Sprint store?
Patrick Joseph @ Sep 30th 2009 2:10AM
About time they get along with the program, I wanted to switch to Sprint and get the HTC touch pro2, but didn't because of the high price, especially when Verizon had it for $199.
I have Verizon account, but I want to switch to Sprint for their 50 TV channels via 3G streaming, much better than the Verizon FloTV that gets you only 12 channels for $15/month that only work on a couple of phones.
FCEEVIPER @ Sep 30th 2009 12:09PM
Ha! Those songs are funny and clever!
That girl is a hottie too! Hippie Hottie. :D
fulsxy85 @ Oct 1st 2009 9:03AM
Hey the rumor around was that price drop would be today does anyone have any Idea when this is happening please need to know need to replace my phone soon.
Poke4Christ @ Oct 1st 2009 12:56PM
right now what's being said is that this was for buisness sales on large company (100+ lines) contracts only and misunderstanding by reps caused the rumor. This is reflected in Sprint's buisness website and it looks like this price drop isn't coming to the masses :(. Hopefully this is wrong and it will change soon as I just got my TP2. However, I doubt.
Either way though, I'm not too broken up about it. It's worth it to me even at 350 as I'm still on a $30 Sero plan and the phone is an INSANE upgrade from my Mogul (piece of junk).
FCEEVIPER @ Oct 1st 2009 8:11PM
I called in to Sprints CC line and asked if they can price match Verzion Pro2 $200 price, and they did!!!
I will be credited $150
Hellsyeah!
ive9th @ Oct 5th 2009 3:03PM
Dang man, thats whats up. I wonder if Tmo would show love like that. Im prepared to leave and go to sprint. If they will show love for 199
Shawn @ Oct 7th 2009 2:35PM
STILL WAITING!!!
Shawn @ Oct 7th 2009 4:29PM
This will make all us Sprint users who want a fair price on the HTC Touch Pro 2 sick!!!
T-Mobile is offering it for only $49.00 with FREE activation. Plus a $50.00 credit on your first month's bill which makes it FREE!
Check it out.
http://www.wmdeals.com/
ItsMichaelNotMike @ Oct 7th 2009 6:41PM
Well I got the T-Mobile Touch Pro2 on opening day for a special price of $329 on a ONE YEAR contract. So these prices don't matter to me.
Even if I paid $150 more for the phone (on a two year deal) I'd have to ask myself it it worth $150 to be able to use the TP2 for two months (appx) before anyone else has it. I say yes.
Of course that's a subjective opinion. Others for whom handset selling price is all that matters, then waiting two months to save another $150, well, that's being a wise shopper in their minds.
But like anything, you can go without and hold out for months or years to eventually get something for far less than what it first listed. Look at the iPhone first adopters. They took a bath compared to those who waited a few months to get that phone.
The worst thing that lemming, robotic consumers do, however, is get caught up on handset pricing and failing to take into account what the phone is really costing them over the life of a two year contract.
So they get the phone for $200 and feel great until the first few months of billings come in, where they are paying $50 more a month for service and plans. But maybe people don't think about it. After all, they were suckered in with a low handset price, so why would they all of a sudden wake up three months later and calculate the true cost of the phone.
What I call "pricing scams" must work, why else would T-Mo, for example, sell the TP2 for $400 on a one year contract and for a paltry $50 savings sell the phone for $350 on a two year deal. I challenge anyone to come up with an argument to support the concept that it makes good financial sense to accept a $50 additional discount on a phone in return for obligating one's self to pay at least $1000 to T-Mo for that additional one year plan obligation.
It makes no sense but must work because otherwise carriers would not play these kind of pricing games. $199 indeed.
There should be a truth in pricing law enacted. Each carrier has to disclose the minimum cost a handset and plan will cost someone. That would promote some competition. Imagine Sprint having to say "Buy the Touch Pro2, only $2600." ($200 for the phone, $100 mo for talk and data). T-Mo can compete back "But the Touch Pro2, only $2150." ($350 for the phone, $75 mo for phone and data).