You know the saying: “Things have to get worse before they get better?” Well, that sort of applies to the release date of the highly anticipated HTC Thunderbolt.
If just a couple of days ago we reported on the possibility that the HTC Thunderbolt release date might come a bit earlier than February 24th, now we have some bad news: according to one of Android Guy’s reliable sources the date has been pushed back to February 28th.
Aside from the fact that this tipster has been right in the past, there is no solid evidence to support this rumor but…the fact that a Best Buy memo that surfaced last week also hinted that the HTC Thunderbolt release date might get pushed back, kind of worries us.
Rumor: HTC Thunderbolt Release Date Pushed Back to February 28th ?
Ready for a short recent-history lesson ? Cool.
At first it was believed that the “blazing fast” Thunderbolt will hit the streets on Feb 14. And although no official statement was received to support this claim, we bought it as various regional Best Buy stores and even Amazon seemed to be convinced that the 14th was the real deal.
Feb 14 came and went with no HTC Thunderbolt in sight but that was ok as everybody had an insider according to whom the HTC Thunderbolt release date has been pushed back to February 24th. Hell, according to a leaked best buy doc, the HTC Thunderbolt was supposed to arrive on 21st so 24th looked really good. Oh well…
But what did Verizon had to say about this ? you might ask. Nothing, besides that the HTC Thunderbolt release date will come sooner than expected. Somebody tell Big Red we expected Thunderbolt to show up a few days ago.
And now comes the interesting part. With the phone finished and ready for shipping what could cause the delay(s) ? According to some rumors that actually make sense, the HTC Thunderbolt might play the bench a little longer because of Verizon’s iPhone 4.
We’ll keep you posted.
Thanks Android Guys for sharing with us this rumor regarding the HTC Thunderbolt release date.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Earlier reports of a software problem on Verizon’s side may be the true reason for the delay. They have to make more on a TB than an IPhone. As a profit motivated company verizon wouldn’t be so obligated to Apple. They also would not want their first 4G phone to be an embarrasement. The data cards are okay but phones are another thing. If the delay is being reported by Android, they would know but not tell the full story. If V is having a software problem, when finally released, users will find a lot more so be careful of the TB. More motivation for V is ATT release next week of the Motorola duel processer Atrix which pre-announced today. V has just said “soon” which means when we fix our problems because we know the phone is in stock now.
This wait is making me anxious since I was one of the unfortunate souls to have purchased the iSorry 4. I say unfortunate because my experience with this Apple device has been nothing, but a headache. The email capabilities are only good with gmail, hotmail, and yahoo accounts. Setting up a go daddy pop 3 account has been a nightmare because this incompetent device doesn’t accept go daddy’s outgoing server. Basically, I can only receive emails. Anyway, let’s hope the TB gets released sooner than later, like NOW!
This is no surprise… I doubt it’s a software problem either. Think about it. The VZW iPhone was released on the tenth. The buyer has two weeks to return it for something else with NO penalty. So they’re not going to release two high profile handsets within two weeks of each other if only to prevent a slew of iPhone returns. So the 24th is the earliest release date, but the 28th is probably more realistic. (And given Verizon’s love of Thursdays, March 3rd isn’t out of the question.)
god dang stupid iphone 4….everyone obviously wants something better than that…(HTC Thunderbolt)
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, Boooommmm a lightning bolt from the sky. My Thunderbolt is here on my door step. Ha Ha. Just like in the ad for the Thunderbolt. I am not holding my breath for Feb 28th. No one is excited about the Thunderbolt anymore. They say Santa Clause is coming to town too. Ha ha. I may re-consider another carrier and phone.
I spoke to 10 different Verizon stores today and they all said 2/24/11 was confirmed. The store was from Knoxville TN to Abingdon VA.
verizon is losing sales cause people who the thunderbolt aren’t waiting any longer. i had 4 people wanting to come over from att for the tb and now they are staying with att and the iphone!! good going verizon. i’m thinking of leaving for evo….
actually we could plain all of this sh– on best buy!!!! They are the ones who started the B.S. by pre-order!! Verizon never did confirm release date, and still haven’t!!!!
Thanks B. Buy (you SUCK anyhow) & always will…………….
Just glad I’m not HTC. Verizon is trying to sell outdated phones over priced. Evo is cdma. We heard about Incredible HD last October with a soon release or holiday release. Why would you want a last year model IPhone when a new model is coming out in June. Why tie yourself up in a two year contract over an outdated phone, don’t let hype make your mind up! If you want an IPhone go to ATT if you want an up to dated droid go to Sprint or ATT, Verizon isn’t and will never be on cutting edge of anything except profit.
The Thunderbolt is coming on the 24th. Everyone who is waiting will see the heavens open with a bolt of lightning that will crash down on your door step. The new Thunderbolt will then appear. Finally the Verizon gods will have answered our prayers and we will be happy again. WTF. Verizon really drop the ball with the iphone 4 and the HTC Thunderbolt. It is not that hard.
ok, i’m giving the tb until 28th, if it gets delayed one more day, c u verizon and hello t-mobile and evo
shoot, sorry, forgot about the bionic, maybe i will wait for that one!! getting tired of tb and the bs…..
I had the EVO on Sprints network for about two days. My data service was not that great on the Sprint network. In addition, the daily battery life was average at best on the EVO. The phone was great when I had good service. However, Sprints network is horrible. Your phone is only as good as the network it is on. Sprint likes to put a band aide on everything and then smile with customer service. They will be out of business or bought out with in five years. Sprints network is weak and they can’t compete. Anyway, every carrier has issues. I guess you just need to pick which one gives you the least amount of head ache. Also, I am hearing a lot of negativity about Verizon. They do not seem to care about customer relations. May have to look into T-Mobile?
Check the specs on the HTC EVO 4g and the HTC Thunderbolt. The only difference is the EVO has HDMI output. They are basically the same phone. Verizon is selling it for about $50.00 more. Is it not the same phone and is it worth $50.00 more? How can Verizon charge more. Also, how can Verizon get away with calling the iphone 4 a new device. Is it not the iphone 3. You can now get the iphone 3 for $50.00. WTF. Do they actually think people are that stupid. Maybe so…..
The Thunderbolt has a newer snapdragon processor, newer sense ui. 768mb instead of 512mb memory, bigger kickstand (woo), and has a network to stand on. I will patiently wait for my Thunderbolt.
2-21-11
In the mean time my contract is up and for the 1st time in 8 yrs I’m looking to see what the other carriers have to offer. Verizon, please give your long time customers every reason to look some where else.
talked to some Verizon reps at several different locations…..aside from being in the dark themselves, they are starting to say March as well. No date…just in March sometime. Boy !!! I didn’t think for a network launching their 1st 4g phone that their stratagy would be to literally piss off about every customer they have…..Hell they knew when they were launching Iphone……I really wonder if the delay is over Iphone or do they just have some serious probs with the TB itself…….maybe someday we will find out
@ jake. I agree with you. It is a competitive market. Verizon has really dropped the ball. I assumed they had software issues and I am still not holding my breath for the 28th. They should have tested and comfirmed a release date. I do not feel comfortable with the tb after all the set backs. In addition, rumors are saying the price may go up $50.00 without Skype. Talk about adding insult to injury. WTF. They are practically giving away smart phnoes that came out less then a year ago. All the hype for the tb and they have come up short. In addition, the ads are a joke. They can’t even get that right. The ads have give little detail and lack marketing. I am not impressed with Verizon. The only reason I was thinking about Verizon is because they have a stronger network than their competitors. I may check out other carriers or phones.
I have been waiting for the TB but i’m considering just getting the Incredible as the price of the TB might be $250! Am I crazy for going for last years model because of price and that I don’t want to wait any longer????
Navigate to the Best Buy Web Site. Set your locale as 75070. Then navigate to products–> Verizon Wireless. Next look for the weekly ad and the Buyers Guide. Next click any image of the thunderbolt. Note the date for pricing is set to be effective between the following dates. 02/20/2011 – 03/26/2011.
Please stop the rumors and verify the phone is now available between the following dates 02/20/2011 – 03/26/2011..
Priced at 299