Why is the U11 exclusive through Sprint?

[Eggmundo]

What kind of decision was this?

 

[Stevenmc8602]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't their decisions but the carriers decisions not to sell them... I could be wrong tho

 

[jwbekens]

I got a great deal from Sprint. 4 phones, 8 Echo Dots for $306 per phone. Sprint also gave me the Freedom unlimited plan for the 4 of us for $120/month plus about $22 taxes/month with 10 GB/month wifi hotspot included and 2G unlimited data outside of USA (son travelling to Europe and Russia next week).

At my house today with the U11, using Speedtest, Sprint LTE plus is 65 GB/sec download and 11 GB/sec upload, faster than Verizon at my house by a few GB/sec up and down. Only Sprint bloatware on the phone is MySprint. No Nascar, no Sprint TV or Sprint movies.

 

[bhatech]

It's not though since I can buy the non carrier better unlocked version directly from HTC.com or Amazon which works on all carries, no crappy carrier firmware, faster updates etc. I would call it exclusive if only Sprint version was available and the better non carrier version was not available to buy.

Also, it was not probably HTC decision to not sell via other carrier channels, most likely it was carrier decision not to carry them since HTC phones don't sell like iPhone, Galaxy or to that extent even LG phones.

 

[Stevenmc8602]

It's not though since I can buy the non carrier better unlocked version directly from HTC.com or Amazon which works on all carries, no crappy carrier firmware, faster updates etc. I would call it exclusive if only Sprint version was available and the better non carrier version was not available to buy.

Also, it was not probably HTC decision to not sell via other carrier channels, most likely it was carrier decision not to carry them since HTC phones don't sell like iPhone, Galaxy or to that extent even LG phones.

That's true but lets face it unless ppl see it in the store or on their website they will not think it's sold by their carrier or even know it exist

 

[bhatech]

That's true but lets face it unless ppl see it in the store or on their website they will not think it's sold by their carrier or even know it exist

I think that crowd is anyways going to buy the iPhones, Galaxy's etc. Nowadays target audience for HTC, OnePlus, upcoming essential phone etc all know where to buy the phone. They all targeting the small niche market most likely the people who kind of buy non carrier unlocked models.

 

[Stevenmc8602]

I think that crowd is anyways going to buy the iPhones, Galaxy's etc. Nowadays target audience for HTC, OnePlus, upcoming essential phone etc all know where to buy the phone. They all targeting the small niche market most likely the people who kind of buy non carrier unlocked models.

I agree essential is a niche phone but they are trying to get it in carriers from what I read. I think onePlus is a niche phone only in the USA... It seems to be an actual nice selling company overseas. HTC isn't necessarily a niche phone either, it just doesnt sell well anymore and a chunk of it's buyers are just loyalist... It has to find a way to broaden its demographic or it will become one

 

[Eggmundo]

Why don't carriers want to offer their customers a proper choice though?

 

[bhatech]

Why don't carriers want to offer their customers a proper choice though?

Carriers are not customer friendly

 

[Habiib]

I stopped by the local Sprint Store today and I was kinda surprised to see they had it on display next to the Galaxy setup. I played with it for a bit and I'm definitely getting it now. Also the Sapphire Blue color is amazing in person.

 

[Stevenmc8602]

I stopped by the local Sprint Store today and I was kinda surprised to see they had it on display next to the Galaxy setup. I played with it for a bit and I'm definitelyView attachment 261690 getting it now. Also the Sapphire Blue color is amazing in person.

Wow! I was expecting a little demo phone in the back only

 

[Eggmundo]

Good stuff.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Either they spent money to get a contract for exclusive rights which isn't likely since it can be bought unlocked, or they were the only ones interested in carrying it. HTC isn't doing well these days and if you're a retailer you don't want to be stuck with inventory that doesn't sell.