Is the HTC 10 priced too high?

[B0WIE]

You asked me if I was using Canadian dollars. Why would I use Canadian dollars in the price when I'm not Canadian? Since I'm not Canadian, I wasn't using Canadian dollars. The $699 price for the HTC 10 is the correct price of the device in the US, no matter how much you don't want it to be.

The only way a device deserves to sell for that high of a price is if the company has a history of coming out with excellent devices, like Apple or Samsung. Since HTC doesn't have that kind of history, nobody is going to buy that phone for that price. HTC has been such a failure in the past that AT&T isn't even selling the HTC 10!

Incorrect. HTC is known for having high-end flagship phones. They dropped the ball in the last year but that doesn't entitle you to a revisionist history in which HTC wasn't selling phones in the top-3 at time of release (M8 was the best available when released and I think the OneX may have been as well).

Seeing that's it's comparable to models listed at $750 and $800, $700 is not unrealistic. If we're honest though, they're giving away $100 coupons (which are widely publicized, by no accident) so it's essentially a $600 pre-order sale on a flagship phone comparable to (and possibly better than) the best out there. I disagree with the idea that "nobody is going to buy" it and the huge (and almost entirely enthusiastic) response thus far tells me you're probably going to be very wrong.

 

[DaveInFL]

The only way a device deserves to sell for that high of a price is if the company has a history of coming out with excellent devices, like Apple or Samsung.

So, you are basically saying that the price point has nothing to do with the quality of the product? That seems bizarre. So a brand new company who have no history should all sell their products at a silly low price?

Since HTC doesn't have that kind of history, nobody is going to buy that phone for that price. HTC has been such a failure in the past that AT&T isn't even selling the HTC 10!

Obviously people have pre-ordered this phone so that blows this comment out the water. I myself have pre-ordered so that is at least 1 person I know who is buying the phone, and I can assure you..I am not NOBODY I am clearly someone.

 

[nokia4life]

You asked me if I was using Canadian dollars. Why would I use Canadian dollars in the price when I'm not Canadian? Since I'm not Canadian, I wasn't using Canadian dollars. The $699 price for the HTC 10 is the correct price of the device in the US, no matter how much you don't want it to be.

The only way a device deserves to sell for that high of a price is if the company has a history of coming out with excellent devices, like Apple or Samsung. Since HTC doesn't have that kind of history, nobody is going to buy that phone for that price. HTC has been such a failure in the past that AT&T isn't even selling the HTC 10!

So now you are telling me how much I paid for the phone is that it? I mean you say its the price no matter how much I wanted it to be really @Retinella I paid 599.00 So basically you sir or ma'am are wanting the price to be 699.00 no matter how much we show proof see below from my receipt.

HTC 10 - Unlocked - Carbon Gray
Thank you for your order of the HTC 10 – Your shipping method estimated arrival will be based from the date you receive your shipping notification. You will be receiving a notification once your product has been shipped with a tracking number for your convenience. Please note that your shipment will require a signature upon arrival to ensure a safe and secure delivery of your new HTC product. 1 $599.00

 

[Versed]

Re: Priced too high?

Actually it's $599, there is a promo code available for use on the unlocked 10 if you buy it direct from HTC.

 

[nickname303]

I think $599 or $649 would be more palatable, since this is going up squarely against the GS7 in terms of price point, and given that HTC doesn't have the same brand power and marketing muscle as Samsung, it would be interesting to see how the 10 fares.

That said, the $100 off promo code does help quite a bit, so to me, it's not a huge deal right now.

I still think it could be priced a little lower just to make it more appealing (as HTC needs to sell as many of these as possible), but ultimately, if HTC wants to sell these at $699, it needs adequate marketing to convince consumers that it's worth the same price as the GS7.

I kind of feel sorry for HTC. Everywhere i look people are saying that they can't charge the same as Samsung etc. just because they don't have the same "brand power". If HTC have made a really good phone (and we're not sure whether they have or haven't yet) then they have every right to ask the same price as other good phones like the S7 etc. It's not HTC's fault that many people will ignore their phone just because it doesn't say Samsung or whatever on it, that's down to consumer bias and ignorance and has nothing to do with whether their phone is good or not. Some people will just never buy it because of who its made by. If HTC HAVE made a good phone with the 10, they should be able to reap the rewards, and get the recognition that the phone deserves, not have people asking why they're not selling it way cheaper because it's "only an HTC phone". If people are down on HTC because of past bad experiences with them, then that's different. But to say that a (potentially) good phone isn't worth as much as other good phones just because of the name it has on it seems unfair to HTC. I can understand brand loyalty, and people sticking with what they know and like. But to berate another brand just because it has the audacity to ask for the same amount of money as the brands with the most loyalty is weird in my eyes.

This isn't a dig at anybody by the way, just saying that the situation seems a bit unfair, as im someone who will buy a phone due to how good it is, not due to what name it has on it.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Altema22]

I agree with mwake4goten: They are all over priced! However, if Apple and Samsung are getting away with it, well...

I guess the real question is if the HTC 10 belongs in the same league. As an engineer who puts lots of phones through their paces and who owns recent iPhones, I would say that both the 10 and the S7 make the iPhone 6S look a bit obsolete. When it comes to comparing the 10 and the S7, they both have unique features, and I would not slight anyone who chooses one or the other. You pick which features suit you best, and you enjoy your phone. Actually, it's nice to have a pair of excellent choices, and I think it would be an unfair bias to say that devices performing on the same level should not command the same price.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I kind of feel sorry for HTC. Everywhere i look people are saying that they can't charge the same as Samsung etc. just because they don't have the same "brand power". If HTC have made a really good phone (and we're not sure whether they have or haven't yet) then they have every right to ask the same price as other good phones like the S7 etc. It's not HTC's fault that many people will ignore their phone just because it doesn't say Samsung or whatever on it, that's down to consumer bias and ignorance and has nothing to do with whether their phone is good or not. Some people will just never buy it because of who its made by. If HTC HAVE made a good phone with the 10, they should be able to reap the rewards, and get the recognition that the phone deserves, not have people asking why they're not selling it way cheaper because it's "only an HTC phone". If people are down on HTC because of past bad experiences with them, then that's different. But to say that a (potentially) good phone isn't worth as much as other good phones just because of the name it has on it seems unfair to HTC. I can understand brand loyalty, and people sticking with what they know and like. But to berate another brand just because it has the audacity to ask for the same amount of money as the brands with the most loyalty is weird in my eyes.

This isn't a dig at anybody by the way, just saying that the situation seems a bit unfair, as im someone who will buy a phone due to how good it is, not due to what name it has on it.

Posted via the Android Central App

That's the issue.

There are still people out there who buy a phone based on brand perception, not based on research and reviews.

I'm not saying the likes of Samsung makes bad phones, because they obviously make very damn good ones, especially with the S7. What I'm saying is that people who have done their research, follow tech news portals and read reviews are more likely to get the HTC 10. But people who don't follow tech news portals and just follow everyone else will be more likely to go with either a Galaxy device or an iPhone just because of its brand and popularity.

HTC is in a dire financial situation, and they need to sell as many of these as possibly or just close shop. Early signs look promising, but they need to keep that momentum up.

And I disagree with @Retinella. HTC has been making pretty great phones for quite a while. Apart from the M9, which was quite a flop, they've made some pretty good devices throughout their timeline. The HTC One M7 is still the best phone I've ever used (bar the poor camera) and I still have fond memories with the Nexus One, built by HTC.

Their brand is in bad shape right now, but I don't think their fans have changed their perception on the company much. The challenge now is getting their phones into the hands of regular consumers.

For me, as much as I like the HTC 10, I do want the S Pen, so the upcoming Note 6 is what I'm going for as my new daily. But I can't deny that HTC has made a very compelling device and I am very sure that those who preordered one will be very satisfied. Best of luck to you, HTC!

(I live by 3 words. fastboot flashing unlock)

 

[david61983]

It doesn't matter if it's as good as the Galaxy or IPhone. HTC isn't Samsung or Apple. The only way HTC wins is if they make it as good as the S7 and IPhone 7 and price it about $250-300 less.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[mwake4goten]

I agree with what you say here and this is the crux for me too... I feel that it is a risky strategy for HTC... Sure the phone might be as good as the best out there, but the company has well documented financial troubles and if people don't buy it because they aren't able to persuade enough non forum individuals to invest then it will likely become their last phone they ever make...very sad outcome... They have further messed up here in Canada by signing an exclusive carrier deal with Bell (potentially) alienating other interested people...

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

It doesn't matter if it's as good as the Galaxy or IPhone. HTC isn't Samsung or Apple. The only way HTC wins is if they make it as good as the S7 and IPhone 7 and price it about $250-300 less.

Posted via the Android Central App

Having it at $399-$499 would make it more enticing for some more potential customers. But there's another issue to that as well.

At that price point, HTC will have to contend with more competitors like Moto, OnePlus, the plethora of Chinese OEMs and others like the Nexus 6P. Assuming the HTC 10 will be exactly the same as it is now if it's sold at that price point, then it would beat (almost?) all of them based on the phone alone.

The problem is that HTC is in a heavily dire situation financially. Their revenue has dropped by over 60% in Q1 2016 compared to the same quarter last year. That's a gigantic drop and the one thing they need is a healthy profit margin just to break even.

While selling the HTC 10 at $399-$499 would shift more units, in order to maintain their bottom line to ensure that the company makes enough profit quickly to stay afloat, they may have to make some compromises to maintain their margins at that price point. They can still make a profit if they keep the phone the same but sell it at a lower price. They'll just do so much more slowly if they don't shift more units. And we also don't know how much more units HTC will sell at that lower price. HTC just isn't as well-known as the big boys and without adequate marketing, we don't know if regular consumers who don't follow sites like AC will even know they exist and make great phones without adequate marketing. It does make it more enticing when looking at both in the store, I'll agree. We just don't know if they'll sell more of them at that price point just to stay afloat. Financial stuff is unpredictable.

HTC doesn't have a parent company that has a boatload of spare cash to handle any losses like Lenovo + Motorola, nor is it a major conglomerate like Samsung and LG. Their financial situation is more complicated than I could explain, and something tells me that while selling their phones at OnePlus-level prices would shift more units, it wouldn't do much to sweeten their bottom-line.

Really, what they sorely need is better marketing. Get the word out. Convince consumers that the HTC 10 is worth the money in whatever way possible. And maybe give it a small price drop to maybe $650 or $600 about 2 months after release?

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ry]

I kind of feel sorry for HTC. Everywhere i look people are saying that they can't charge the same as Samsung etc. just because they don't have the same "brand power". If HTC have made a really good phone (and we're not sure whether they have or haven't yet) then they have every right to ask the same price as other good phones like the S7 etc. It's not HTC's fault that many people will ignore their phone just because it doesn't say Samsung or whatever on it, that's down to consumer bias and ignorance and has nothing to do with whether their phone is good or not. Some people will just never buy it because of who its made by. If HTC HAVE made a good phone with the 10, they should be able to reap the rewards, and get the recognition that the phone deserves, not have people asking why they're not selling it way cheaper because it's "only an HTC phone". If people are down on HTC because of past bad experiences with them, then that's different. But to say that a (potentially) good phone isn't worth as much as other good phones just because of the name it has on it seems unfair to HTC. I can understand brand loyalty, and people sticking with what they know and like. But to berate another brand just because it has the audacity to ask for the same amount of money as the brands with the most loyalty is weird in my eyes.

This isn't a dig at anybody by the way, just saying that the situation seems a bit unfair, as im someone who will buy a phone due to how good it is, not due to what name it has on it.

Posted via the Android Central App

For me, it's the same reason why I'd expect an Infiniti to be cheaper than a comparable Mercedes Benz.

Posted via the Android Central App on the Moto X Pure Edition

 

[david61983]

It's also not just the initial cost but you have to figure in resale value as well? What am I likely to get for a good condition M10 on Swappa in 1 year vs the same condition Galaxy S7 or IPhone 7 or even 6S?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

For me, it's the same reason why I'd expect an Infiniti to be cheaper than a comparable Mercedes Benz.

Posted via the Android Central App on the Moto X Pure Edition

Of course. Brand perception.

Mercedes-Benz has always been perceived as a prestige brand. Infiniti, while they make pretty good luxury cars too, is perceived in a less-highly manner compared to Mercedes-Benz.

That's the situation HTC is facing. They make great stuff. It's their brand-perception that needs work in order to convince consumers. That's where marketing comes in.

 

[anon(5630457)]

So now you are telling me how much I paid for the phone is that it? I mean you say its the price no matter how much I wanted it to be really @Retinella I paid 599.00 So basically you sir or ma'am are wanting the price to be 699.00 no matter how much we show proof see below from my receipt.

HTC 10 - Unlocked - Carbon Gray
Thank you for your order of the HTC 10 – Your shipping method estimated arrival will be based from the date you receive your shipping notification. You will be receiving a notification once your product has been shipped with a tracking number for your convenience. Please note that your shipment will require a signature upon arrival to ensure a safe and secure delivery of your new HTC product. 1 $599.00

You used a coupon. For those who don't use the coupon or can't use the coupon, it's still $699.

Nice try.

 

[anon(5630457)]

So, you are basically saying that the price point has nothing to do with the quality of the product? That seems bizarre. So a brand new company who have no history should all sell their products at a silly low price?

Why do you think the OnePlus sells their devices for cheap?

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Every phone that's not the Moto G is priced too high.

But we're willing to pay for them, so that's not going to change.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Why do you think the OnePlus sells their devices for cheap?

It's not just the price. It's how they drive up the hype.

Why else would they call it a "Flagship Killer"? Or use that ridiculous joke of an invite system? Hype.

When you hype a product, artificially limit supply with an invite system and put an affordable price tag on top of it, it's going to get quite a lot of demand.

Doesn't seem to always work, though. The OnePlus 2 doesn't look to be successful.

 

[anon(5630457)]

Incorrect. HTC is known for having high-end flagship phones. They dropped the ball in the last year but that doesn't entitle you to a revisionist history in which HTC wasn't selling phones in the top-3 at time of release (M8 was the best available when released and I think the OneX may have been as well).

Seeing that's it's comparable to models listed at $750 and $800, $700 is not unrealistic. If we're honest though, they're giving away $100 coupons (which are widely publicized, by no accident) so it's essentially a $600 pre-order sale on a flagship phone comparable to (and possibly better than) the best out there. I disagree with the idea that "nobody is going to buy" it and the huge (and almost entirely enthusiastic) response thus far tells me you're probably going to be very wrong.

LOL.

AT&T isn't selling it because people don't want HTC phones. If HTC was so great, all the major carriers would be selling this phone.

 

[B0WIE]

LOL.

AT&T isn't selling it because people don't want HTC phones. If HTC was so great, all the major carriers would be selling this phone.

Please don't change the subject as a means of sounding "right". I pointed out some of the things you were incorrect about. If you have a rebuttal, go for it, but please don't try to drag me into some childish phone wars battle.

 

[ArtificiallyYours]

AT&T isn't selling it because people don't want HTC phones.

This right here, is the type of sub-Tumblr level garbage we read on GSM Arena or PhoneArena comments sections.