Thunderbolt discontinuing soon?

**RetroKing23** · 11-16-2011, 10:59 AM

Walked into my local VZW yesterday to check out the latest phones out to date and I noticed that the Thunderbolt wasn't displayed anywhere throughout the whole store...

**mrmoe110** · 11-16-2011, 11:03 AM

Just look at the rezound and the thunderbolt and you'll see there's no reason to sell both of them. If the thunderbolt didn't have such a negative reputation the rezound would be called the thunderbolt 2

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

**BigBoz** · 11-16-2011, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by modidlee

Just look at the rezound and the thunderbolt and you'll see there's no reason to sell both of them. If the thunderbolt didn't have such a negative reputation the rezound would be called the thunderbolt 2

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

I agree and if they would have named it the ThunderBolt 2 it probably wouldnt have sold very well.

**spartanguy81** · 11-16-2011, 11:32 AM

Thunderbolt had been out of stores for a while. There probably wasn't a Droid charge there either. Only the most recent phones are sold in store, the rest are relegated to Web only.

**chrisrach3** · 11-16-2011, 11:35 AM

Not surprising. Has anyone tried out the Rezound?

**FrankXS** · 11-16-2011, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by chrisrach3

Not surprising. Has anyone tried out the Rezound?

Check out...

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-htc-rezound/

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt 4G/LTE using Tapatalk

-Frank

**Jude526** · 11-16-2011, 12:46 PM

I have seen the Thunderbolt in both of the corporate stores I shop in. I was just there yesterday at one of them..........it is still there

**paintdrinkingpete** · 11-16-2011, 12:48 PM

Not surprising...6-8 months is about the max for smartphones to stay competively relevant, especially Android models where new devices are being churned out at a crazy rate.

iPhones can survive a bit longer, but only because Apple only releases one device per year...but sales definitely drop off sharply after a few months.

When 2 years contracts are required to get subsidized pricing, most people don't want a phone that's already behind curve.

Some stores may still have them, and you can certainly still get one online, but their focus of advertising is definitely gonna shift to the newer devices...and the Rezound definitely will fill the TBolt's niche.

**Jude526** · 11-16-2011, 01:47 PM

The Rezound will definitely be a good phone, no doubt in my mind, but those of us who have the Thunderbolt and who have just recently upgraded to it, will still hopefully get the assistance needed if there are issues. Just like they did with the original Incredible when they released the INC 2, they will have refurbs in stock for those that need replacements. It is a shame if this is being discontinued. It was their first 4G phone. Bugs have been taken care of. I have finally gotten the phone to where I like it and I am VERY HAPPY with it. I also use the kickstand a lot and at the beginning I didn't think I would.
It hasn't been discontinued yet and those who are wanting it shouldn't be dissed for wanting it. I still recommend it. I have a friend who just got it and he is loving it........so, if you want the TB get it. It is still an amazing device........

**defcon999** · 11-16-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jude526

It hasn't been discontinued yet and those who are wanting it shouldn't be dissed for wanting it. I still recommend it. I have a friend who just got it and he is loving it........so, if you want the TB get it. It is still an amazing device........

I agree. It is still a great phone. My only cavet is that one should take some time to get to know the phone. It isn't like an old clamshell phone where you turned it on, and dialed a number and did some texting. People need to look at the TBolt (or any smartphone) as a COMPUTER in hand. When you (generically speaking) got on a computer (DOS or Windows or Mac), you had to read some books and ask questions.....well, us old people....LOLOLOL.

**johnriii** · 11-16-2011, 02:15 PM

NOT COOL, NOT COOL AT ALL!!!!

if they can just last until the end of this month......? upgrade is November 26th.... this sucks so hard!!!!

**PJnc284** · 11-16-2011, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

NOT COOL, NOT COOL AT ALL!!!!

if they can just last until the end of this month......? upgrade is November 26th.... this sucks so hard!!!!

Unless you can get it for free. I probably wouldn't burn an upgrade and 2 yr contract to get a Thunderbolt. I'm quite content with my rooted, rom'd Thunderbolt but I'd definitely spend the extra money to get something a little more future proof like the Rezound or more likely the Galaxy Nexus if I was going to get locked in for 2 year.

**paintdrinkingpete** · 11-16-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

NOT COOL, NOT COOL AT ALL!!!!

if they can just last until the end of this month......? upgrade is November 26th.... this sucks so hard!!!!

I'm pretty confident you'll still be able to get a Thunderbolt...

**johnriii** · 11-16-2011, 04:05 PM

THIS is why forums are good/bad for someone like me. I have found so much good information here, but at the same time, I get to panic over threads like this. and for those of you who "advise" that I should wait for a "better, newer" phone, I have a strict budget, and the Tbolt falls right into the budget. anything else is going to run me 100-150 more dollars that I planned to spend. the only other phones that fit my budget in 4G land would be the Charge and the Revolution. anyone suggest that I get one of THOSE? I'd actually move back to the Droid X2 if I were forced to go that route. I'm sure Amazon or Let's Talk will have Tbolts ready to sell me.....hopefully. and waiting is out of the question. I'm about 6 months past wanting to get rid of my Eris already. 10 days and counting......

**Jude526** · 11-16-2011, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

THIS is why forums are good/bad for someone like me. I have found so much good information here, but at the same time, I get to panic over threads like this. and for those of you who "advise" that I should wait for a "better, newer" phone, I have a strict budget, and the Tbolt falls right into the budget. anything else is going to run me 100-150 more dollars that I planned to spend. the only other phones that fit my budget in 4G land would be the Charge and the Revolution. anyone suggest that I get one of THOSE? I'd actually move back to the Droid X2 if I were forced to go that route. I'm sure Amazon or Let's Talk will have Tbolts ready to sell me.....hopefully. and waiting is out of the question. I'm about 6 months past wanting to get rid of my Eris already. 10 days and counting......

You are making a good choice getting the Thunderbolt. Don't consider the Revolution or the Charge. You wouldn't be as happy. You can't go wrong with the TB.

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

**potatolover1102** · 11-16-2011, 06:32 PM

The thunderbolt is definitely the best out of the 3 no doubt. I would strongly advise looking at the newer phones though. Right now its still pretty relevant but in 12 months a.k.a only half way through the contract it will be beyond out dated sadly! The rezound is only 199 on amazon which is worth a look imho. Believe me I love the thunderbolt and still have mine while I wait for the nexus but thinking about over a year from now with no chance of upgrade is not so good imho.

**Jude526** · 11-16-2011, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by potatolover1102

The thunderbolt is definitely the best out of the 3 no doubt. I would strongly advise looking at the newer phones though. Right now its still pretty relevant but in 12 months a.k.a only half way through the contract it will be beyond out dated sadly! The rezound is only 199 on amazon which is worth a look imho. Believe me I love the thunderbolt and still have mine while I wait for the nexus but thinking about over a year from now with no chance of upgrade is not so good imho.

If you read his post money is an issue for him. The TB is a good choice as a phone and his budget

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

**potatolover1102** · 11-16-2011, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jude526

If you read his post money is an issue for him. The TB is a good choice as a phone and his budget

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

I did read his post which is why I commented to show him the reduced price available for the newer much better phone. The thunderbolt sells for 149.99 and he said the others would be 100-150 more than his budget so what is $50 more to look into the best htc phone currently?

**wildman** · 11-16-2011, 09:08 PM

This is one of the reason devices has such a bad history because when they fix issues in a old device the company release a new device and the issues start all over again.. In my opinion thanks to the developer a large amount of issues has been resolved and I dont see any reason to start dealing with another set of issues..

**johnriii** · 11-16-2011, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by potatolover1102

The thunderbolt is definitely the best out of the 3 no doubt. I would strongly advise looking at the newer phones though. Right now its still pretty relevant but in 12 months a.k.a only half way through the contract it will be beyond out dated sadly! The rezound is only 199 on amazon which is worth a look imho. Believe me I love the thunderbolt and still have mine while I wait for the nexus but thinking about over a year from now with no chance of upgrade is not so good imho.

I appreciate the tip, as I had no Idea that the Rezound was $199.00 on amazon. however, my wife and I BOTH upgrade on the 26th, and there's no way we could afford $400.00 for two new phones......maybe????

nah...if they are available at any of the 6 best buys in the KC area, then I will get the Tbolt that fine saturday..... I've already purchased Trident cases for both my wife and my phone anyway. besides, would HTC/Verizon discontinue a phone that they JUST updated with Gingerbread? doesn't make sense.

**potatolover1102** · 11-16-2011, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by johnriii

I appreciate the tip, as I had no Idea that the Rezound was $199.00 on amazon. however, my wife and I BOTH upgrade on the 26th, and there's no way we could afford $400.00 for two new phones......maybe????

nah...if they are available at any of the 6 best buys in the KC area, then I will get the Tbolt that fine saturday..... I've already purchased Trident cases for both my wife and my phone anyway. besides, would HTC/Verizon discontinue a phone that they JUST updated with Gingerbread? doesn't make sense.

Well sadly that might be a negative with Verizon in that they feel like they have done enough to provide gingerbread so in about 6 months it might be EOL as they call it because they are greedy.

**Mortiel** · 11-17-2011, 12:03 AM

You know, its actually funny that people think the Thunderbolt has a bad reputation. You want a bad reputation? Talk to a few Droid 2 owners.

The Thunderbolt has not been discontinued, and will be sold new for at least a few months more through direct channels, and a year or more in indirect channels.

Why in the world would it be a smart business move for HTC to spend a ton of money designing a device only to discontinue it before they can juice every drop they have out of it?

The problem is misinterpretation turning into rumor. A store only has so much shelf space for different phones. Some space is delegated to niche types, like feature phones or the iPhone, but the rest goes to the newest of smartphones representing each manufacturer. People do not see the Thunderbolt, and therefore assuming its been retired.

However, I can say the Thunderbolt will be a phone to go down in history for Verizon as likely being the only phone able to do simultaneous voice and data on 3G. Of course, that will be peanuts by 2013 when we have 4G covering the entire 3G footprint, but oh well.

**robrecht** · 11-17-2011, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by Mortiel

… However, I can say the Thunderbolt will be a phone to go down in history for Verizon as likely being the only phone able to do simultaneous voice and data on 3G. …

The HTC Rezound also does simultaneous voice & 3G data (SVDO).

Thanks, Robrecht

**paintdrinkingpete** · 11-17-2011, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by johnriii

THIS is why forums are good/bad for someone like me. I have found so much good information here, but at the same time, I get to panic over threads like this. and for those of you who "advise" that I should wait for a "better, newer" phone, I have a strict budget, and the Tbolt falls right into the budget. anything else is going to run me 100-150 more dollars that I planned to spend. the only other phones that fit my budget in 4G land would be the Charge and the Revolution. anyone suggest that I get one of THOSE? I'd actually move back to the Droid X2 if I were forced to go that route. I'm sure Amazon or Let's Talk will have Tbolts ready to sell me.....hopefully. and waiting is out of the question. I'm about 6 months past wanting to get rid of my Eris already. 10 days and counting......

No, the Charge and the Revolution will pretty much follow the same path as the Thunderbolt as far as when they get "discontinued", and of the 3, the TBolt is far and away the best device, IMO.

Originally Posted by johnriii

I appreciate the tip, as I had no Idea that the Rezound was $199.00 on amazon. however, my wife and I BOTH upgrade on the 26th, and there's no way we could afford $400.00 for two new phones......maybe????

nah...if they are available at any of the 6 best buys in the KC area, then I will get the Tbolt that fine saturday..... I've already purchased Trident cases for both my wife and my phone anyway. besides, would HTC/Verizon discontinue a phone that they JUST updated with Gingerbread? doesn't make sense.

Yes, it does. Verizon only keeps so many models at the forefront of its marketing. Android phones really do turn over after about 6 to 8 months. That's not to say that these models are "discontinued" in terms of support per se, it just means that Verizon will at some point stop ordering new models and development on these devices will slow to pace that includes only occasional maintenance and security updates.

Will the TBolt get any more software updates? Will it ever get ICS? Probably not at any "official" level, but who knows? From an HTC standpoint, the Rezound will now take over as their premier device on Verizon's network.

That's also the primary reason that the TBolt is cheaper than a lot of the new phones...because it is now behind the curve hardware and software-wise. Is it still a darn good device? Yup...but if getting ICS and all the new software perks are important to you, then you will have to spend a bit more to get a new model phone. If that doesn't concern you, then the TBolt is a great phone at a great value that you can pick up right now.

Just consider this though, a year from now, most folks who bought the Thunderbolt at launch will already be eligible to upgrade to a new device...anyone buying a TBolt now will have to wait a bit longer. Again, if having the latest and greatest isn't as big a deal as getting a better price, then it's no big deal, but one risk in buying a phone that's already 8 months old is that it will be that much more out of date before your next update comes around. Of course, if you're still using an Eris now, you're already used to that...

**Wookie13** · 11-17-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by johnriii

I appreciate the tip, as I had no Idea that the Rezound was $199.00 on amazon. however, my wife and I BOTH upgrade on the 26th, and there's no way we could afford $400.00 for two new phones......maybe????

nah...if they are available at any of the 6 best buys in the KC area, then I will get the Tbolt that fine saturday..... I've already purchased Trident cases for both my wife and my phone anyway. besides, would HTC/Verizon discontinue a phone that they JUST updated with Gingerbread? doesn't make sense.

My wife told me she read that Best Buy was going to have the TBolt as their free phone starting Black Friday, so you may be in luck, and not have to spend much of anything to get a pair of them. I was one of the "unlucky" ones that got the phone on release day, and got a buggy device that rebooted itself regularly, but it all worked itself out. Now that I have gone the rooted route the phone is that much better, so good luck, and enjoy.