Here’s a bit of a wild rumor we’re hearing from our colleagues at Phandroid.com this evening: Verizon may be delaying the launch of the HTC Thunderbolt – a powerful beast of an Android phone – due to fears that too many new iPhone owners will get buyer’s remorse and return their iPhones to get their hands on it.
Rumors have been swirling about the HTC Thunderbolt and it’s rumored delays and Mobile Hotspot feature. While Skype not being prepared in time for launch was one of the reasons we’d been given by tipsters, we suggested that timing and strategy could also come into play. We’re now learning exactly what that strategy might be.
According our source, Verizon is delaying the launch of the Thunderbolt to ensure those purchasing the Verizon iPhone don’t have buyer’s remorse and return their iPhone for an Android. With a 14-day return policy for the Verizon iPhone, that would put the Thunderbolt launch date at February 24th or beyond. New information is suggesting that buyer’s remorse could strike iPhone owners after finding out the Thunderbolt will:
Have Free 4G Hotspot capabilities
Allow simultaneous voice and data
Ok … so I have to say, until just a little while ago I’d never heard of the HTC Thunderbolt. Now I have and I’ve taken a quick look at HTC’s page for it, its tech specs, and a couple other write-ups on it. Honestly, it’s a great looking device – but here’s the thing:
It’s still not an iPhone.
And so, for me, no way this supposed fear of mass iPhone returns is the cause of the Thunderbolt’s launch delay.
Here’s why I just say No to this rumor:
— The Thunderbolt has some impressive specs in a few areas. On HTC’s page they lead with these three:
The first phone with integrated video Skype mobile™.Video Skype to any device, from anywhere – no Wi-Fi required.
8 megapixels. Ultra-mega-amazing. 8 megapixel flash camera and the power of 4G allow you to create and share like never before.
4G + HD = infinite possibilities. Record. Share. View. HD video and a hi-res 4.3″ screen means unlimited entertainment
Good stuff, but not iPhone-killing stuff. Skype video is cool, but that will definitely be coming to iOS soon as well. More megapixels in the camera – meh, iPhone cameras always seem to outperform their physical specs and anyway, who chooses a smartphone purely on its great camera? 4G – very cool, but as we know the big question is how useful is that going to be during most of this year, with 4G not rolled out extensively as yet.
Oh, and from what I’ve seen over the years the iPhone’s been on the market, a lot of iPhone buyers (the vast majority I’d say) are not choosing it based mainly on hardware specs. Not at all.
— There have been any number of ‘iPhone Killers’ over the years that shouted about superior specs in lots of areas. I can’t think of any that put a dent in the iPhone’s momentum.
— The above would be true even if we were talking about AT&T iPhone owners, Here, there’s another reason in play as well. The enormous pent-up demand for the Verizon iPhone. This exists among Verizon users who didn’t want to switch carriers but have been lusting after the iPhone for years now; and also among many disgruntled AT&T users who love the iPhone but hate ‘the network’.
Verizon sold more iPhones in under 24 hours when they opened pre-orders than they sold DROIDs in its entire first week on the market! And that’s when the DROID was heavily promoted, splashed all over TV, and hailed as the latest iPhone killer.
So yeah, color me unconvinced that Verizon would have any fears of their gung-ho new iPhone users rushing to return their precious to swap it for the latest droid-tastic device. Now if it were the other way around, fears of new Thunderbolt owners jumping ship when the new iPhone came along, yes sir I’ll buy some of that.
To sum up, I’d like to let a typical iPhone buyer weigh in on the issue – WARNING – very NSFW:
So that’s my take. And I know that my colleague Rob at Phandroid is going to have a very different view. What’s yours? Are all the millions of new iPhone owners going to be looking for ways to trade over to a Thunderbolt in the next few weeks?
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TAGS: iPhone killers, iPhone rivals, iPhone vs. Android, Verizon iPhone
