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Verizon HTC One: 5 Keys for Success

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The Verizon HTC One launch, if it ever happens, is going to happen late thanks to an HTC One U.S. launch that took place all the way back in April. And while it might launch late, there is still a chance for it to be successful. It’s just not going to be easy.

Back in February, or, a half a year ago, HTC announced the HTC One on stage in New York City. The HTC One represented the company’s flagship offering for 2013 and a device that would replace the HTC One X and HTC One X+ as the face of the company in the United States.

In April, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile launched the HTC One on their 4G LTE networks and the device quickly rose the ranks to become one of the top flight choices on all three thanks to its fantastic hardware, which includes a metal design and Ultrapixel camera, and its software which includes Android and the new Sense 5 along with HTC Zoe and HTC Blinkfeed.

Read: Verizon HTC One: Making Sense of the Rumors.

Better build quality and less obtrusive software features drew me to the HTC One.

The Verizon HTC One still isn’t out.

The device is arguably one of the best Android smartphones on the market and is quite possibly one of the best smartphones that has ever come to shelves. HTC isn’t done though.

Yes, there are rumors of a larger HTC One called the HTC One Max, and we’ve seen the HTC One Mini on its way to AT&T, but there is another HTC One that is still unreleased, one that consumers have sought after for months.

That device of course is the oft-rumored, heavily critiqued Verizon HTC One which was rumored for months until it was confirmed in early June for the United States’ largest 4G LTE service provider. At the time, HTC and Verizon offered no details and to this day, the companies remain mum about a release date, pricing, and more.

While many have already turned their backs on this Verizon HTC One, there is still some room for success, despite the late launch. Here, we take a look at five must-haves for the Verizon HTC One at launch.

Release Before September

The Galaxy Note 3 and iPhone 5S are expected in September.

The Galaxy Note 3 and iPhone 5S are expected in September.

August 1st and September 5th have both been rumored as possible Verizon HTC One release dates. Whether or not they turn out to be the real deal is unclear, however, Verizon would be extremely wise to get this phone out in the early part of August, at the latest, so the HTC One doesn’t get overshadowed by upcoming releases.

Rumors suggest that Verizon is gearing up to release the Moto X in late August. That, comes in addition to the Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra, and Droid Mini releases that will take place late in the month. And those of course come right before the early September launch dates that are rumored for the iPhone 5S, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the HTC One Max, the larger HTC One.

Should Verizon wait too long, the HTC One will get less attractive than it already is. Maybe if Verizon wasn’t likely to carry the new iPhone, Galaxy Note and HTC One, consumers could stay excited about the regular old HTC One. But with so many options on the way, it’s imperative that Verizon makes a move before the start of September so as to preserve whatever little momentum it has left.

Quick Release

Details have been slow to trickle out but if Verizon wants to have any type of success with the HTC One, it can’t wait to release it once the details are revealed. What we mean is that once the device’s details are announced, Verizon would be wise to get it out onto shelves immediately and not utilize a pre-order. It shouldn’t even wait more than a day.

Instead, Verizon should announce the phone and make it available almost instantaneously so that those who have already decided on the phone can buy it quickly and so that those who are on the fence don’t have an extra time to think about their decision. Get this phone out quick, both online and into physical retail locations.

Competitive Price

Verizon loves to attach premiums to its big name smartphones. For example, we saw it attach a $300 price tag to the Verizon Galaxy S4 32GB even though it launched the phone weeks later than AT&T. That price lasted just a few days before Verizon did away with the mail-in rebate and offered it for $250 like Ma Bell.

If Verizon comes out of the gate with a 32GB HTC One that costs anything over $199.99, it’s risking failure. At this point, for a phone that has been out since April and has seen its fair share of discounts, including being dropped to free at Amazon at one point, $199.99 seems a little high.

Knowing Verizon, it will likely keep the price at $200 on-contract but it would be wise to drop it to $150 or $99 in order to keep it competitive this late in the game. It would also be throwing those who waited this long for it, without any information, a bit of a bone.

Current Software

The Verizon HTC One must launch with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean or higher, as is rumored. While AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have yet to offer their Android 4.2 Jelly Bean updates, the HTC One is on Android 4.2 in other parts in the world. If the device arrived this late, with old software, it would be a slap in the face to customers that waited for it.

Android 4.2 isn’t a big update, but it still has enough on board for it to be attractive to HTC One owners. And buying a phone with outdated software, especially on a phone as late as the Verizon HTC One, would be a tough pill to swallow.

In an ideal world, Android 4.3, Google’s new software update would be on board, but if that were the case, the Verizon HTC One wouldn’t launch until late 2013 or 2014 thanks to Verizon’s extremely slow upgrade process.

Incentive

Verizon needs to make amends here, though it’s not certain that it will. As we’ve detailed before, this is one of the most poorly handled smartphones launches in recent memory and for many, this two month wait for information has been torture.

The carrier would be smart to offer some type of incentive to buyers whether it’s a free case, accessory or something else right at the start. Carriers often don’t realize that good will like this typically goes a long way with consumers.

This HTC One case from Otterbox features a built-in screen protector.

Verizon would be wise to offer buyers some kind of incentive.

If not that, then perhaps incentive in the form of a semi-unique or unique feature. Perhaps a 64GB model, though given AT&T’s stranglehold that seems unlikely, or a faster processor.

The Verizon HTC One buyer needs incentive at this point and hopefully Verizon obliges.

27 Comments

27 Comments

  1. adam

    07/29/2013 at 4:04 pm

    Stop posting just to post, jesus.

    • TXT

      07/29/2013 at 8:55 pm

      Stop bitching just to bitch, Jesus. No one is forcing you to read these articles. Move alone you immature

      • TXT

        07/29/2013 at 8:56 pm

        little kid.

  2. Pearl

    07/29/2013 at 4:07 pm

    I have switched to AT&T already due to Verizon stringing customers along.

  3. 504crank

    07/29/2013 at 4:36 pm

    I can’t wait to dump those rip-off jack holes at T-mobile, but Verizon’s delay makes me think Sprint and (disturbingly) AT&T are better options. A pathetic tactic by Verizon.

  4. Tony

    07/29/2013 at 4:56 pm

    The way Verizon is treating the HTC One, I have no faith that they will provide timely OS. updates when the time comes. Which, BTW, should be happening soon.

  5. Charles Suitt

    07/29/2013 at 5:29 pm

    I see today (7/29) Verizon tacked on a $30 “upgrade fee” to the GS4, but not to the Motorola offerings on their web page. Looks like their greed may tempt me to take a closer look at other providers after over 16 years.

  6. lbcake

    07/29/2013 at 6:07 pm

    Geeeeez what is wrong with this ass clown millis!?!?!?!?!?!

    • po

      07/29/2013 at 6:14 pm

      Adam’s fired. And of course they’re not going to charge an upgrade fee for Motorola. Verizon and Motorola are making a child together named Droid, who rides the special bus.

  7. matt-helm

    07/29/2013 at 6:17 pm

    Verizon will launch whatever and whenever that is the most profitable to them. Period.

  8. Fred

    07/29/2013 at 7:01 pm

    BREAKING NEWS….. we didn’t know when the HTC One for Verizon would be released a month ago….and we still don’t know now. What kind of an article is this?

  9. VeriSuks

    07/29/2013 at 7:20 pm

    I’ve been a verizon customer since it changed it’s name from GTE. It has been consistently the best wireless operator in the US in terms of it’s network, and IMHO, it’s customer service. BUT the big RED Checkmark has turned into a greedy, closed mouth, def, dumb and blind company that refuses to keep it’s loyal customers informed about what they want to know, in this case the HTC One. Saying nothing is the silent equivalent of lying and denial. If verizon owned a hospital, every baby born there would have a BIG RED CHECK MARK branded on it’s forehead! The only thing that verizon cares about are it’s STOCKHOLDERS and it’s bottom line. A little candid, friendly, open communication would be all that’s needed to make it a company to love. Tell us WHY you’re taking so long to release the HTC One, Tell us WHY you take soooo long to update all of your phones, let us in on WHY your raising prices here and there. At least make an attempt to be informative and HONEST with the people that keep you in business!! A little bit of openness goes a long, long way!!!

  10. Maki

    07/29/2013 at 9:25 pm

    I have waited HTC One for long long time. Feel like Verizon is arrogant and slow-moving. Would change plan after contract expires.

  11. Won'tbegettingtheoneanymore

    07/30/2013 at 4:01 am

    I have waited for HTC One for months, but now with the announcement of LG G2, One does not sound attractive at all. Nevertheless it’s interesting to see just how far this absurdity goes.

  12. Larry

    07/30/2013 at 8:13 am

    Damn again Adam??? Another useless article??? I give you credit it’s been only one in the last week not everyday!! But post when you know 100% when VZW launch!! You do that and correct you will make us happier!!

  13. adams blows

    07/30/2013 at 9:41 am

    Adams writes like an 8th grader…

    • Charles Suitt

      07/30/2013 at 11:26 am

      +Sigh+ I thought I was joining an objective discussion group..
      . Instead I see juvenile sniping. Too bad…

    • Larry

      07/30/2013 at 3:14 pm

      Haaaaa no a kindergarten but I think a kindergartener could do better!! He is a douche anyways, and so is VZW!!

  14. Seth B

    07/30/2013 at 10:18 am

    Ummm… Release the phone 2 months ago should have been the number 1 key to the success of the Verizon HTC One…

    I’m going with the Moto X now… Verizon still gets my money but HTC doesn’t… It’s a shame they let Verizon man-handle them so much. Especially when their company is already having such a rough time.

    • Charles Suitt

      07/30/2013 at 11:41 am

      Seth… I see your point. I can upgrade any time now, but I’m thinking I’ll wait til my contract expires and consider the competition as a response to Verizon’s greed and arrogance.

    • pj

      08/03/2013 at 9:43 am

      So you’re going with the MOTO X, a far inferior phone to the One? That’ll show Verizon, buying a mediocre phone from a company (Motorola) that Verizon is in bed with……

      • Charles Suitt

        08/03/2013 at 12:42 pm

        Was in Sam’s, first chance I had to hold both the ONE and the GS4 side by side. Both felt good ‘in hand’, I noted dents on the ONE’s aluminum case as well as scratches. I believe for me the GS4 with replaceable battery, 13mp camera, expandable storage and Qi wireless charging is the ticket. Found a GS4 at Frys for $140.

  15. Larry

    07/30/2013 at 3:19 pm

    I’m curouse about the Motorola droid ultra?? Or what ever its called?? And opinion on that?? But like the htc one VZW will stall that too??

  16. BT

    07/30/2013 at 5:11 pm

    On Monday Verizons website had the HTC DNA with a banner saying “Temporarily out of stock” and today (Tuesday) it is completely removed from Verizons website. Not sure if this means anything but it is making the August 1st release date look somewhat possible.

    • Larry

      07/30/2013 at 7:07 pm

      BT ya I saw that too..the banner now gone?? That’s VZW 4 ya, but maybe wen they got more we will see it back I’ve seen this before on other devices..

  17. BT

    07/30/2013 at 7:10 pm

    I didn’t realize at first but the HTC Incredible is free now too. Crossing fingers.

  18. Charles Pittman

    07/30/2013 at 7:45 pm

    I’m waiting on the big red announcement too I’m ready to buy one,,already have my I phone 5 sold I’m hearing August 1st thru to Aug 7 th or later part of Aug ,,straight from big red hell they not saying and I’ve even called HTC ,,they not saying nothing either and I’ve got to pay full retail just to get ,,as my contract is far away from update status

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