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Is The Droid Bionic Too Late to Be This Expensive?

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So you may have heard the good/bad news. The Motorola Droid Bionic is likely going to be launching on September 8th and when it does, it’s probably going to have an off-contract price of $590 and an on-contract price of $299. At least through Verizon. Retailers are probably going to have some better offers but we can’t be too sure about that.

This means that Motorola and Verizon obviously didn’t pay any attention to the five things I thought the Droid Bionic would need to survive a launch in September. The very first point I had on there was ‘Affordable Pricing.’ I, like many of you, do not consider $300 on-contract affordable pricing. And the price itself is not even the worst part of it.

Droid Bionic

No, the worst part is the fact that Motorola and Verizon think they can actually get away with charging $300 for this phone and come out successful. Are they not aware that we know about the Droid HD aka Motorola Spyder? Or that we have a pretty good feeling that the Google Nexus Prime might hit Big Red in October? Or that the Samsung Galaxy S II will likely be cheaper if it doesn’t have 4G LTE? Or HTC’s Vigor? Or HTC’s Amaze 4G?

Are they not aware that the iPhone 5 will likely be launching in October and will likely have a price tag of $199?

Droid BionicDon’t they remember announcing this phone back in January? As it stands, people will have had to have waited 8+ months for this phone to arrive. Don’t you think there would be some kind of mercy shown to those that have endured the delays?

$300 in May would have been acceptable. The network was young and Droid Bionic would have been without sort of competition on the horizon.

But $300 on-contract this late in the game is not only a slap in the face but a sign that Motorola and Verizon just don’t get it. I started to feel that way when I saw Verizon’s horrid 4G LTE commercials but this just proves it.

The other dual-core Droids, the Droid 3 and Droid X2 are cheap, so we know that Verizon is charging a premium for 4G LTE and I think that’s just idiotic with AT&T’s LTE launch on the horizon.

I thought Big Red would want to bring in customers not turn them away with a ludicrous price tag.

There is a chance that the Droid Bionic might launch for $250 but I wouldn’t count on it. This is a carrier that launched the Samsung Droid Charge for $300 and did so without a tongue in firmly placed in cheek.

This is the same carrier that launched the LG Revolution for $250, a phone that has shown up in the bargain bin more times than I can count over the past few months.

And let’s not forget that this is the same carrier that recently turned to tiered data plans for new customers. Only crazy people would pay $300 and lock into a two year tiered data plan with a 4G LTE phone for a phone that is soon to be overshadowed by an avalanche of phones, some even coming from Motorola itself.

It makes no sense and as much as I love what I am seeing from this phone, I would not be surprised to see it show up in the bargain bin right beside the LG Revolution and the rest of Verizon’s pitiful lineup shortly after launch.

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77 Comments

77 Comments

  1. Adam Truelove

    08/19/2011 at 8:58 pm

    I was PUMPED for the Bionic when it was announced at CES.  If it would have come out last spring I would have bought it.  Well maybe, that pentile display is pretty awful.  But now, with SGSII and Nexus Prime on the horizon, I wouldn’t even buy it if it were free.

    • Edon82

      08/20/2011 at 7:48 am

      That pentile display? You’re an ass

      • Playboy1537

        08/20/2011 at 11:04 am

        You do know that he was being serious right? Look it up. It is coming with a display called the “pentile” that is inferior to many new types coming out even now.

        • cpug5150

          08/20/2011 at 3:16 pm

          I have looked it up, along with every other freaking phone currently out or coming out. I have found NOT one phone that says the word “pentile” under the display specs, including the Bionic. I still have no idea what the that is or means. I know there’s a lot of people complaining about it, but that’s it. The Bionic is coming with a qHD display. Is that a pentile display? Why doesn’t it say pentile, for any phone? What current phones have a pentile display? Some phones may have sharper looking screens than others, but I personally haven’t seen a current phone out with a bad display IMO. Please advise.

  2. Dany

    08/19/2011 at 9:19 pm

    good phone, but why the price is expensive??

    gadget device

  3. Dany

    08/19/2011 at 9:19 pm

    good phone, but why the price is expensive??

    gadget device

  4. davefagerstrom

    08/19/2011 at 9:30 pm

    Let’s see what the SGS2 will cost. 

    • Corymcnutt

      08/20/2011 at 5:28 pm

      Most likely the SGS2 wil NOT have LTE – hard to compare.

      • Matt Soberl

        08/24/2011 at 4:15 am

        the gs2 is confirmed 4g

        • Ggg

          08/29/2011 at 1:20 pm

          GS2 isnt coming to big red.

  5. Leslee

    08/19/2011 at 9:44 pm

     I’m one of those who’s been waiting patiently since January.
    But that price at this late date?  No thank you.
    I’ll be looking at the Droid HD now. 

    • Jgmiv70

      08/19/2011 at 10:13 pm

      This will come out high and go down quickly. I was going to be there first day but at this price, I can wait to see what others bring to the table. I’ve never had an iPhone. Maybe that will bring its 4G game. I can wait at $300.

    • Anonymous

      08/20/2011 at 12:50 am

      I’m in the same boat.  I was going to buy it when it came out.  Then to get locked into another 2 years and have an avalanche of new phones come out within months that will it look like a dionosaur.  I would buy it if they offered and upgrade to the HD when it is released.  

  6. Matt Greenburg

    08/19/2011 at 10:18 pm

    Maybe Verizon thinks pissing of people with there lte phones is a good way to assure there network does not falter again? at this rate the Nexus Prime will be around 350 on Verizon compared to others. Seriously not gonna get a bionic seems like a let down, A very expensive let down

  7. Anonymous

    08/19/2011 at 10:28 pm

    I was hoping for at least a 50 dollar coupon (“some kind of mercy shown to those that have endured the delays?” LOL:) for those of us who signed up to the worthless Verizon bionic email update. So now that the thrill of the bionic is over we need some more pics & specs on the Motorola HD, get to work Adam!

    • Danny Lombnes

      08/20/2011 at 2:43 am

      thats a great idea wish it were true =(

  8. NueroXTC

    08/19/2011 at 10:56 pm

    If they bundle the phone with a verizion tablet or tablet discount.  Something to say hey loyal fans thanks for waiting 4+ plus months for the Bionic.  If not ill wait for the Bionic to hit the bargin bin or wait for HD

  9. Poopymagoo

    08/19/2011 at 11:25 pm

    amen brother. They’re just pushing our faces in shit.

  10. Rex_D

    08/19/2011 at 11:26 pm

    I think $299 is too expensive, BUT why would it be ANY cheaper?  That is what people have show they are willing to pay.  People paid $299 for the Charge, $249 for the Thunderbolt, $199 for phones like the Incredible 2 and the Droid 3, the iphone 4 is $229…. why would the Bionic be cheaper?  It’s “the most anticipated phone”… of course it’s going to be $299.  With people being willing to buy the newest smartphone no matter what the cost, who would charge less?  I read a post by someone yesterday who stated they have already had a Droid, a Droid X, a Droid X2, and now a Thunderbolt.  That’s in a 2 year span.  Even in the harsh economy, people will still pay high prices for smart phones and tablets.

    • Poopymagoo

      08/19/2011 at 11:38 pm

      I could put some glitter on a turd and list it on ebay for a $1000 and someone would eventually buy it, but that doesn’t mean most of us would.

      • Rex_D

        08/20/2011 at 4:50 am

        I think it would be so awesome if you actually put a turd with glitter on it up for auction on eBay… if you do, PLEASE send me a link!  I’ll BID

    • Edon82

      08/20/2011 at 7:54 am

      I’d pay $500 if it was available today

      • Rex_D

        08/20/2011 at 12:01 pm

        I would consider it… but I’d have to see the screen first and give it a couple weeks to see what problems it has.  I’m pretty happy with my Charge and I can’t personally find a good reason to consider the Bionic anymore.  I HATED leaving Motorola, but my original Droid wasn’t cutting it anymore and I HAD to get something newer last month…. couldn’t wait any longer.

    • Shawn

      08/31/2011 at 12:32 am

      Nice post Rex. I really enjoyed reading what you rote. You are right. Hate it or love it people are buying it. Yes people paid the 299 and the 249 for those single core phones and people didn’t upgrade their phones for months for this bionic. At this point, they are ready to pay whatever and guess what Verizon tested this phone for months and months. I would be surprised if this phone doesn’t have a great battery life and super high voice quality. There is always a next phone. Yea if u wait another month u get 1.5 ghz blalala..Most consumers dont care about that.. They care about what’s hot and whats the name that they could show off to their friends.

  11. Hiphopapotamus

    08/19/2011 at 11:39 pm

    too little, too late

  12. The00method

    08/20/2011 at 12:16 am

    I too believe its a bit pricey for the delay. But then again, when has Verizon ever handed out amazing deals on anticipated product? I’ve always believed they should just adopt further extended contracts for bigger discounts on devices. Why stop at 2 years with the competitive market? Creating customers for life should be priority 1 for them. Their customer service has always been the one weak link holding them back from crushing their competition. So honestly $300 for the Bionic really isn’t a shock to me. Just saying…

    • Edon82

      08/20/2011 at 7:56 am

      This “delay ” I dont know wtf your talking about, this phone is on schedule

      • cpug5150

        08/20/2011 at 3:30 pm

        Douche. I don’t care if they officially announced one release date or 100, NINE FREAKING MONTHS after they officially introduce a phone at the biggest electronics show, CES, is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE! The phone has definitely had a long delay, and still going until I actually see it in hand at this point.

  13. Charles

    08/20/2011 at 12:19 am

    The only thing I’ll be paying 300.00 + for is to break my contract with verizon after what I went through recently. I’ve been made to feel like they really don’t care about their long time loyal customers. It seems like all they care about is your money

    • Edon82

      08/20/2011 at 7:57 am

      No shit

  14. Tony Perez

    08/20/2011 at 1:15 am

    Because they waited so long for release, I qualified for my VZW loyalty discount of $50 last week. I’m not going to waste it on the Bionic if it’s overpriced at $300.00.

    • Rex_D

      08/20/2011 at 4:49 am

      You think any other 4g phone will be less???  I guess you’ll be getting a Droid X 1 then!

  15. Joe Whittle

    08/20/2011 at 1:59 am

    i think you mean your loyalty discount of $30, and your last one at that. i came due in july and rather than 50, i am seeing and hearing 30 from verizon, in addition to this being the official end of that program altogether

    • Rex_D

      08/20/2011 at 12:04 pm

      We got Droid Charges (2 of them) about 4 weeks ago and got $50 off each still.

    • P-man6

      08/24/2011 at 5:44 pm

      30 is the early upgrade discount, 50 is the full discount. I have till december to get the full but can get 30 now

  16. Millipedesteve

    08/20/2011 at 2:46 am

    Google buys up Motorola Mobile. They wait for Metro PCS to build a reputable tower base and then buy them out. Google offers Metro PCS prices with unlimited upgrade paths (with contract renewal and purchase discount) for new phones. They release carrier restricted Google/Motorola Droid devices every six months and reap the rewards. The writing is on the wall. I am prophet; hear me roar.

  17. guest

    08/20/2011 at 4:13 am

    I am sooooooo very disgusted with this whole bionic CRAP! All this hype about dual core just to be a nano (if it even really is?) second quicker than the thunderbolt, charge or LG? And with all the other products coming out (hey doesn’t the price of technology go down after time) so soon, shoooooo if I could wait this long with my OG DROID, I can surely wait to see what else comes and for sure the extra $50 BUCKS TAXING OUR ASSES DOESNT HELP. We should have a PHONE PARTY and dump all the droid bionics in the fricking RIVER. Not happy! !! These folks are obviously not using their business 101 skills at all. Please think of FED EX if the package is late ITS FREE!!!!

    PLEASE RETHINK YOUR POSITION and do the smart obvious choice, put the damn phone out for $225 and apologize for this terrible long wait, could YA, Would Ya?

  18. BrianB13

    08/20/2011 at 4:28 am

    It depends on the cost of rival phones that will be out in September and in the 4th quarter.  The Bionic’s price will be adjusted depending upon the competition.  I don’t think $300 is too expensive for a phone but the Bionic could be too late.  I bet Motorola and Verizon don’t even want to think about how many Bionic customers have abandoned the phone since April.  They should have upgraded the Bionic further to compete wit the phones coming out in the 4th quarter instead of Atrix like specs. 

    • Moterola-android fan

      08/20/2011 at 4:57 am

      Pick up the phone from wirefly free shipping and the phones are a lot cheaper… our last 2 phones we got from them.

  19. Goneblown

    08/20/2011 at 5:05 am

    Waited on bionic now I decided to go htc vigor

  20. Kfnjunk

    08/20/2011 at 5:28 am

    Yes, it’s too late to be this expensive with other phones on the horizon. But I’m so desperate for a new phone that I’ll probably wind up paying it for either the Bionic or a Galaxy S2. My original Droid is overtaxed, slow, and running out of memory–and it’s not even 2 years old yet. I need something I believe will have the chops to last for a while. Now if only one of these phones has NFC….

  21. Christmas_nut1

    08/20/2011 at 5:52 am

    So true.  Just piss off us who have patiently and graciously waited this phone after having been jerked around this whole Summer. 

  22. unsatifieddroidxowner

    08/20/2011 at 6:23 am

    I have a DROIDNX and HATE IT. I am never getting another motorola product again. I was so close to buying a xoom but thank GOD I bought an iPad 2. Anyway, I might switch back to sprint. EVO 3D time! (:

  23. randy:)cartman

    08/20/2011 at 8:21 am

    Wow look at those sexy legs. Who is that woman in that short dress :)

    • Bishop

      08/20/2011 at 4:05 pm

      Katy Perry

  24. Nick Tiwari

    08/20/2011 at 9:42 am

    im sure it will be cheaper in a month after its release…

    • Rex_D

      08/20/2011 at 12:02 pm

      Not through Verizon it won’t be.  Maybe if you get it on Amazon or Wirefly.

  25. Imlove6533

    08/20/2011 at 9:54 am

    I love Motorola and what they have done for Android. I was one of the few that got the g1 when it launch. But what there doing with the delays and price is down right stupid.

  26. Cjbx3

    08/20/2011 at 11:53 am

    The photon is a better looking bionic, and and it was $199 on launch day. I had verizon and on the thunderbolt i was getting about 12mbps (sometimes) on speed test and on the photon get about 8mbps (sometimes) not that big of a difference for the price. With sprint i pay $94 after tax and insurance, with verizon i was paying $146 after tax and insurance. PHOTON ALL DAY!!! And i think the photon will be a better phone any way.

  27. Joker9799

    08/20/2011 at 12:00 pm

    At 299 they can rest assured they will lose another fan to an Apple product. Unless that 299 includes the lapdock with it.

  28. Benf

    08/20/2011 at 2:45 pm

    Its all about life cycle and reaping the benefits of early adopters. There is a large group of android users who want to be the first to own a Bionic. They will pay a premium and are willing to go through the bugs and issues at first to be first. When the first movers are finished buying the phone they will then go through a price drop/incentive to entice the majority of buyers, or the first majority. They are the people who want the phone at a normal price after the kinks are worked out. Then there is the late adopters that wait for bargain pricing. Its like this with every new product in just about every market. 

  29. Jeff Hoback

    08/20/2011 at 2:58 pm

    Waiting to see what happens with the Nexus Prime.  I have the OG Droid and not being able to root/rom/overclock might just lead me to Apple this time around.

  30. moto freak

    08/20/2011 at 3:08 pm

    Yep!!!! Freaking Motorola u think u r going to ask for 300,00 dollars for your late to the party. Cellphone when someone else is behind your back with a better specs unit screw you motor!!!!!_

  31. Klipsch000

    08/20/2011 at 3:12 pm

    I have had my droid incredible for a little over a year now and have been waiting for the bionic. But as many of you put it, there are going to be such a numerous amount of new phones coming out I’m just gonna sit back and watch the show till I see who has gone the extra mile. I like Android but it may be a nice change to go with Apple.

    • Bishop

      08/20/2011 at 4:04 pm

      Good call. I’ll be doing the same.

  32. Bishop

    08/20/2011 at 4:03 pm

    $300? Yikes! Sorry Motorola there’s no way I’m paying that much for a phone that was suppose to come out a long time ago.

    I’ll wait till the end of this year to see what other phones come out.

    Dammm Motorola what happened to you guys?

  33. Corymcnutt

    08/20/2011 at 5:41 pm

    I don’t like it either, but I don’t see why everybody is so surprised; the Charge was $300 and it isn’t dual-core.  $300 seems to be the old $200…It will still be the first dual-core LTE phone and those other phones discussed may not be out until December or 1st QTR 2012.  Most likely the SGSII and the iPhone won’t be LTE, so they do not interest me at all.

  34. FredD

    08/20/2011 at 6:45 pm

    $299.00 does not bother me as much… but if we are going to be paying that much for a smartphone, then verizon needs to change the contract period from 2 years to 1 year… i mean we are paying a little over 50% of the retail cost of this phone… at that cost they should be making money in the long run from people who upgrade at that cost each year.

  35. Zen

    08/21/2011 at 12:23 am

    I’m over it now.  My area isn’t getting 4G until the end of the year.  When we get 4G, I’ll look at the available phones and decide then.  Unfortunately for the Bionic, there will be several choices by then, happy for me.  They had a shot at my business up until about a couple of weeks ago, now I’ll wait and see.

  36. Ssmatey

    08/21/2011 at 8:32 am

    Only $300? Where do I sign up? I paid $500 for my droidx so I could call it mine. On top of that I get grandfathered in to 4g with my unlimited 3g data plan….huge. Google just bought motorola, you think thier first 4g LTE phone is going to come out before they can get it just right? Lol. For those of you switching to apple……I’ll be waiting for the “man I screwd” comments.

  37. E S

    08/24/2011 at 3:09 am

    I just wished VZW (and att) would drop that silly 99 cents off the price of their products. Sell a product for $99 or $100, not $99.99. Waste of ink, if anything..lol

  38. P-man6

    08/24/2011 at 5:40 pm

    Everyone complaining about how if they released it in spring bs… If they did out would have been a total flop as they completely reworked the phone’s design and upgraded it.

    Now if the Droid HD comes out before the holiday season then the $300 will be way too much indeed, which is why I I am waiting till around then to upgrade. Btw iPhone 5 will certainly cost more than $199, they could charge $500 and sell out in a day to the kool-ade sipping iPhone fans.

  39. Anonymous

    08/28/2011 at 11:33 pm

    The delay really ticked me off.  The price is nuts.  I think everyone on Verizon knows they are one of if not the most expensive carriers to be on.  Prime looks cool but my contract is up in December, so I may consider a new carrier.

  40. Dawsonfamilys

    09/08/2011 at 11:06 am

    I have had DROID,Droid2, DROID X. Actually awaiting arrival for my 3rd DROID X. I think these phones are cheap and wear out in 3-4 mths

  41. Dawsonfamilys

    09/08/2011 at 11:06 am

    I have had DROID,Droid2, DROID X. Actually awaiting arrival for my 3rd DROID X. I think these phones are cheap and wear out in 3-4 mths

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