Thunderbolt discontinuing soon?

[potatolover1102]

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]

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]

… 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]

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.

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]

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.

 

[johnriii]

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.

THAT is another point of contention...Best Buy will have 5-6 phones available for free on black friday, but only to NEW customers, and that wouldn't apply to me, not to mention my upgrade day is the day AFTER black friday. no worries however, I'm sure Best Buy will have at least two Tbolts left come that saturday morning. and if not, I go the Amazon route. they will also have the Dinc2 in that grouping as well.

As far as newer phones, this WILL be new to me. think about the Eris, if you've ever seen one or had one. it's got a 3.2 inch screen. it has 256 mb of RAM (i think). it came with 250mb of internal memory. Going to the Tbolt will be like going from a Pinto to a Lamborghini! I believe a year from now, I will STILL be satisfied with my Tbolt, considering my 6 month anticipation of Nov 26th. Intially, I did want the Charge...but not anymore. I would seriously go with the Dinc2 before I went with the charge. from what I've read the difference between the Dinc2 and Tbolt is 3G and 4G. I'm way past my initial panic from yesterday...I'm sure SOMEONE will have 2 Tbolts for me to buy after my upgrade date.

 

[Lemonheater]

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......

Amazon and I believe Best Buy Mobile will likely still have Thunderbolts for you. Right now you can get one brand new for $100 bucks which to me is a screaming bargain. My upgrade is on black Friday (go figure...) so I'm certainly keeping my eye for deals on this phone. Right now though, I'm liking the Razr.

As far as a Thunderbolt for $100 goes, I think that's an awesome deal. It's a very frugal purchase and one I'm considering myself.

 

[johnriii]

Amazon and I believe Best Buy Mobile will likely still have Thunderbolts for you. Right now you can get one brand new for $100 bucks which to me is a screaming bargain. My upgrade is on black Friday (go figure...) so I'm certainly keeping my eye for deals on this phone. Right now though, I'm liking the Razr.

As far as a Thunderbolt for $100 goes, I think that's an awesome deal. It's a very frugal purchase and one I'm considering myself.

let's talk, firefly, radioshack, and target all have them for $119.99 (on upgrade). either way, I will have a new phone (two) before the weekend is out....

 

[FrankXS]

As far as newer phones, this WILL be new to me. think about the Eris, if you've ever seen one or had one. it's got a 3.2 inch screen. it has 256 mb of RAM (i think). it came with 250mb of internal memory

You're right. The TBolt has 3 times the amount of RAM, 34 percent larger screen and 2 times the speed of the (much better) processor. You're gonna love this phone.

As an "early adopter", I was also concerned about the two-year commitment. But I'm not anymore. All the folks like me who bought the TBolt when it was released on March 17th, 2011 will be eligible for an upgrade on November 17, 2012 (actually 20 months, not 24). Shoot, I like this phone so much it'll really take something super to get me to upgrade. None of the present offerings (or soon to be offerings) even come close. Problem is, they are "too close" to the capabilities of the TBolt. No point.

-Frank

 

[Forgetful]

Honestly right now the bolt is still my favorite phone on vzw. Bionic and Raz screens are awful and no 3g data/voice coupled with locked bootloader.
Resound is second favorite only because it doesn't have a kickstand and the development for the bolt is very mature and widespread.

Charge doesn't even have cm7.

Galixy Nexis will be interesting game changer with ics though...

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

 

[Mortiel]

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

Thanks, Robrecht

That is rather odd given that its radio combination is not like the Thunderbolt's. The Thunderbolt had two separated cellular radios, a data radio (4G LTE+ 3G EV-DO) and a voice radio (2G 1xRTT). The Rezound, as well as all of our other 4G phones, have a CDMA radio (3G EV-DO + 2G 1xRTT) and an LTE (4G LTE) radio. It is the physical radio configuration that allowed SVDO on 3G on the Thunderbolt, so I wonder what changed with the Rezound since I tore it down...

Have you actually personally tested voice+data on 3G? Did you notice any internet speed or audio degradation?

 

[PJnc284]

Doesn't the rezound have the same mdm9600 as the Thunderbolt?

 

[robrecht]

That is rather odd given that its radio combination is not like the Thunderbolt's. The Thunderbolt had two separated cellular radios, a data radio (4G LTE+ 3G EV-DO) and a voice radio (2G 1xRTT). The Rezound, as well as all of our other 4G phones, have a CDMA radio (3G EV-DO + 2G 1xRTT) and an LTE (4G LTE) radio. It is the physical radio configuration that allowed SVDO on 3G on the Thunderbolt, so I wonder what changed with the Rezound since I tore it down...

Have you actually personally tested voice+data on 3G? Did you notice any internet speed or audio degradation?

I haven't personally tested it, but it has been verified by others. See also the FCC docs on the Rezound.

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[Ed Witles]

20/20 hindsight - would purchase the tbolt today...

 

[Jo5329]

I love my TB - if we all waited for the next version to come out before buying, would we even have phones?

Same thing happened to me when I was with Blackberry -

This phone works for "me" for what "I" need it to do. I have had no problems with it since the upgrade fixed the rebooting problem.

Will I get a new one on contract renew? Depends on what is out there. Heck, the Rezound could be in the trash heap by then too!

 

[nate44]

It's ridiculous how some people treat these phones. If a phone is a few months old, it's automatically kicked to the curb. I understand the people who had real problems with this phone, but to those who spurn it for no other reason than there's something new and shiny on the horizon, I feel sorry for you.

Really, what can you accomplish on these 'newer' phones than what we currently have? I'm not just saying this because I'm jealous either. I can very easily go out and replace my Bolt today if I wanted to, but have no good reason to do it.

This constant cycle of always wanting the latest and greatest is really disturbing.

 

[robrecht]

I'm always willing to upgrade for a bigger and better screen. Haven't yet seen the Galaxy Nexus so I haven't decided. I'm not at all unhappy with my ThunderBolt, but will definitely look closely at the Nexus.

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

It's ridiculous how some people treat these phones. If a phone is a few months old, it's automatically kicked to the curb. I understand the people who had real problems with this phone, but to those who spurn it for no other reason than there's something new and shiny on the horizon, I feel sorry for you.

Really, what can you accomplish on these 'newer' phones than what we currently have? I'm not just saying this because I'm jealous either. I can very easily go out and replace my Bolt today if I wanted to, but have no good reason to do it.

This constant cycle of always wanting the latest and greatest is really disturbing.

I agree with all of this, but there is a huge difference between spurning the current device you own, and admitting to the fact that the Thunderbolt is, as they say, yesterday's news.

While there may not be big difference between "what you can accomplish on these newer phones" vs. what the TBolt can do right now, eventually it's limitations will be realized once the current models get upgraded to ICS (and even though rooted users will probably be able to load ICS anyway, its hardware will start to lag behind the capabilities of the newer OS versions).

I'm no where close to wanting to toss my TBolt out for a new model (FAR FROM IT), but at the same, if I were buying a new phone right now, there's just no way it would even be on my radar...as I've previously stated on this thread and others.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...derbolt-discontinuing-soon-3.html#post1412629

http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...forums/134256-just-because-3.html#post1413974

 

[FrankXS]

...if I were buying a new phone right now, there's just no way it would even be on my radar...

I plan on keeping the TBolt at least until contract end and probably months or a year past that. However, as far as "right now", I'd be looking only at the Rezound. I like a removable battery and a removable SD card and SenseUI.

-Frank

 

[Mortiel]

I plan on keeping the TBolt at least until contract end and probably months or a year past that. However, as far as "right now", I'd be looking only at the Rezound. I like a removable battery and a removable SD card and SenseUI.

-Frank

Sadly, I am apparently told that either the 1.5 GHz dual core Snapdragon in the Rezound is of rather poor quality compared to Texas Instrument's 1.2 GHz dual core OMAP variety, or the Adreno 220 is poor compared to PowerVR. Even though Sense 3.5 is supposedly lighter on resource use than 3.0, the Rezound still tends to hiccup a lot with graphically intense live wallpapers. Not really bad... just disappointing.