Connect with us

Hardware

HTC Thunderbolt Delayed Until March 4

Published

on

Hoping to get your hands on an HTC Thunderbolt today as previously expected? Well, you better not get too excited as Best Buy has confirmed that the HTC Thunderbolt launch has been delayed and won’t be in stores until March 4…maybe.

One of Best Buy’s stores tweeted the above message yesterday, but Best Buy corporate hasn’t weighed in on the issue. The store is located in Roseville, Calif. and the Tweet was sent from an iPhone.

Update: We’ve received word that March 4 is indeed the target date, but a mid-March release isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. Read our latest HTC Thunderbolt update here.

Best Buy began taking pre-orders for the HTC Thunderbolt at the beginning of the month, asking customers for a $50 deposit. Some customers have received emails telling them that their HTC Thunderbolts would be available for pickup this week. Best Buy is still taking Thunderbolt pre-orders at its retail locations, but not taking them via BestBuy.com.

Here’s our hands-on look at the HTC Thunderbolt at CES 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-MiVFBXWU

An earlier rumor pegged the official HTC Thunderbolt release date to be today (February 24) and a Thunderbolt commercial that began running on TV networks earlier this week seemed to confirm that time frame. As you’ll see in the commercial, HTC Thunderbolt pricing and availability is notably absent.

The HTC Thunderbolt is the first 4G phone to run on Verizon’s LTE network, which means there are more potential issues than with a rollout of a phone on Verizon’s 3G network.

Frustrated HTC  Thunderbolt Fans

To say those who’ve pre-ordered the HTC Thunderbolt are frustrated would be an understatement. Commenters here at GBM and elsewhere are growing increasingly impatient and simply aren’t getting straight answers from Best Buy and Verizon.

GBM Reader ‘kalel51’ left the following comment on an earlier article about the HTC Thunderbolt:

I called BB too, they are full of crap. I pre-ordered, they said the 13th. I call on the 13th, no juice, the 24th is now the day. I call today, no dice, now they don’t know when. This is a public relations nightmare for Verizon. Maybe I should dump my 5 phone lines (4 with data), my mifi, my home phone, and Fios and just give them the finger. (But damn, I still want the phone :( )

Thunderbolt Delay Conspiracy Theory

Some of those waiting for the Thunderbolt  are wondering if the repeated delays has anything to do with the launch of the iPhone on Verizon’s network. Perhaps Apple negotiated a gap between the launch of the iPhone and the launch of other smartphones, especially those packing LTE heat. The iPhone 4’s wireless technology is relatively dated compared to LTE. This means the Thunderbolt will load web pages and download/upload data at a much faster rate than the iPhone 4, assuming the Thunderbolt is being used where there’s a solid LTE connection.

No Official HTC Thunderbolt Updates from Verizon

Verizon has yet to send out official alerts regarding the Thunderbolt release date to those who’ve signed up for email or SMS notifications. We’re assuming the alerts will be sent out at least a day or two before the HTC Thunderbolt officially goes on sale.  You can sign up for alerts at Verizonwireless.com/htc/thunderbolt/.

34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. Baga

    02/24/2011 at 7:08 pm

    This crap is getting old …. HTC and verizon have forced me go to another carrier / phone.

    • Get Real

      02/24/2011 at 7:31 pm

      Lol… I’m sure a few weeks difference is “forcing” you to go. Plz.

      • Ajkach

        02/24/2011 at 8:14 pm

        my current phone is a berry and havent replaced because i have been waiting in this phone sevral friends have said f verizon and switched carriers to get a new 4 g phone in some cases for free

      • Blascrw

        02/24/2011 at 8:38 pm

        Well if you are in my boat my work gave me till end of the month to port my # out. they are no longer paying my cell…so Yeah for me I am being forced…

    • wow mom cool

      02/24/2011 at 7:58 pm

      what did u get instead?

    • Jangalang

      02/24/2011 at 8:00 pm

      I agree, its aggrivating, but yall act like youre gonna die over a few days. Grow up.

    • Westo1mj

      02/24/2011 at 8:14 pm

      this has nothing to do with verizon. best buy is the only store that said this phone was coming out and gave a release date. verizon has not listed anything besides its coming soon. try being made at best buy, they are the ones that lied to you.

  2. C0ruptiv3

    02/24/2011 at 7:25 pm

    March 4th 2011 is on the Friday, not a thursday. Just saying :P

    • C0ruptiv3

      02/24/2011 at 7:25 pm

      on a friday*

  3. done and done

    02/24/2011 at 7:33 pm

    couldn’t take this crap any longer… got the EVO 4G… the thunderbolt and verizon can eat sh*t

    • DanSke

      02/24/2011 at 8:15 pm

      You and me both. Evo here I come. I gave it till today. No word from Verizon, HTC or BB. They can shove that Thunderbolt up their ass and enjoy a failed launch. haha

  4. Tnitor

    02/24/2011 at 7:38 pm

    They just shit canned themselves. I wont be renewing with anyone my money feels better staying in my pocket from now on.

  5. JShootz

    02/24/2011 at 7:45 pm

    I would think at some point HTC would want to weigh in on this. Afterall they are the phone makers and with people becoming more and more frustrated at the way this situaiton is being handled, stand to lose a lot of sales. I myself am up for contract and currently am stuck with the original Envy after my original Droid died. I was really wanting to wait and go with the Thunderbolt. However I am begining to ask myself if it is worth the wait. AT&T now are pushing the Atrix, T-Mobile and Sprint have versions of the EVO. Soon the Droid Bionoc will be out and a rumored Pyramid? IF Verizon or HTC would just be upfront and honest and give a date for the Thunderbolt I may stick around and wait it out. However if they are going to continue to play the”strikes soon” game, I dont think I am interested. I checked with Verizon, it will cost me $185 to get myself and my wife off of contract to go someplace else. May be the best 185 Bucks I have ever spent to get away from all of this hype and frustration for nothing.

    • Shane

      02/25/2011 at 6:39 pm

      dude its a PHONE. chill out. everysingle phone that is new has had a launch date and then its been pushed back. if they launch the thunderbolt now, it will launch without some of its greatest features that they needed to improve. that way people, similar to everyone on this site, doesnt come back bitching. if you want the facetime skype then its worth waiting. if you want wireless video connection to your HD tv, then its worth waiting. its funny that people on this blog are complaining as if your voice can be heard. Grow up. all of you. This has nothing to do with Verizon. go ahead and say htc should weigh in on this if you would like to, but they are the ones responsible for trying to launch a phone without its best features

  6. Gary22bcp

    02/24/2011 at 7:50 pm

    I am done with Verizon and they can stick the BS where the sun dont shine. Another lost customer. Smart thinking Verizon!

    • SeamusMcFlippant

      02/24/2011 at 8:18 pm

      That’s idiotic. Verizon hasn’t said anything about the release of this phone, so there hasn’t really been any delays. The only people talking about release dates and delays are rumor-mongers. They don’t have any affiliation with Verizon, HTC or Best Buy; they are just random people starting rumors…aka: Trolls. Relax, they’ll announce it when they’re good and ready.

      • jonesing4mynewstuff

        02/25/2011 at 1:54 am

        Best Buy has officially given dates and even had them in Sunday’s local ad flyers. This last Sunday read release date today. I waited with others in line only to be told no phones in stock yet. Best Buy is the official retailer for this phone, and exclusively from the onset anyway. Just sayin’

  7. Ete1987

    02/24/2011 at 8:06 pm

    I paid full price for my droid x had it less than 6 months when I heard about the htc thunderbolt I sold it for $200. I then went to best buy to pay $50 to pre order my phone and was told that it was being released feb 14th that never happened. I was then told by best buy it would be released feb 24th for certain that never happened because of best buy giving false info I am now without a phone and have been since feb 12 this really sucks

  8. Ashtonbriggs41

    02/24/2011 at 8:09 pm

    This phone is the shit it can beat any phone out there. Verizon is the best just face it.

  9. Anonymous

    02/24/2011 at 8:12 pm

    this is CRAZY.

    In all fairness, Verizon has never announced a launch date, but rather Best Buy did. Best Buy had also gone so far to claim “retail exclusivity”, but later Verizon announced they would also retail the item.

    Will be interesting to see how Best Buy treats the “complimentary” buy-back offer they used to sell these pre-orders, and later extended with the first extension of the Thunderbolt.

    I love Verizon, but will say … “shame on them” for how they are treating customers with ambiguity of price plans, and as in the iPhone4 “unlimited data” but with limitations if you are a top 5% data user.They are also imposing some similar stipulations to the Motorola Xoom 3G vs 4G to be launched product and ambiguity around ability to maintain original data plans.

    End of day, Verizon is the customer touch point, and they are doing a LOUSY job communicating, honoring, or remembering that customers are at the end of the day what pays salaries over there. Time and Time again, Verizon has been arrogant about this, and i think it will bite them when more carriers launch LTE / 4G capabilities despite a contract with them that can be canceled. I spend north of $500 / month with them, and laugh at the $200 cancel fee, but they just don’t get it.

  10. byebyeBigRed

    02/24/2011 at 8:12 pm

    Have been waiting for this phone, finally got sick of this drama, secrecy, and apple buttkissing and switched to At&t last night for the Atrix, do not regret it one bit, a very awesome phone.

  11. SeamusMcFlippant

    02/24/2011 at 8:15 pm

    I’m pretty sure Twitter user @BestBuy129 tweeting from an iPhone is a Troll…Nobody at Best Buy knows anything and we won’t know anything until Verizon and/or HTC announces it officially.

  12. wes

    02/24/2011 at 8:19 pm

    After ten years with Verizon I am leaving. To much bs with them. Plus they r always second to everyone else ..

    • Shane

      02/25/2011 at 6:44 pm

      your a joke wes. who are they second too. No one 110 million strong.

  13. Jay

    02/24/2011 at 8:22 pm

    WOW… you are all going to change networks and get a different phone all over a few weeks. The Thunderbolt is an awesome phone, I have seen it in action, and I can assure you that the LTE network is not slower because of the iPhone. It is blisteringly fast. The reason for the delay is Skype’s video / audio not syncing correctly. A phone is something you would expect to be able to use for a few years… so an extra month on your previous phone wont hurt. All of the release date information was speculation and probably BestBuy employee error. Seriously people… wait the extra week… it wont kill you.

    • Moefinelli

      02/25/2011 at 3:05 am

      please let release date be march 4th. I hate to wait another 3 more weeks. I know its worth it but my phone is barely hanging on.

  14. Anonymous

    02/24/2011 at 8:24 pm

    let’s fact it, we’re at the mercy of big red. but still, not cool.

    LTE better be worth the hype or this will backfire on Big Red

    I think Best Buy was premature on this with their initial announcement. I also put a $50 deposit.

  15. Richard

    02/24/2011 at 8:24 pm

    Seriously. What makes this phone so damn important. I read all the specs on this. Its not all cracked up to be. Why buy a 4G phone when the market is still new for Verizon?? Anyone seen the 4G coverage from the big red?? I’ll stick to my Droid X until 4G phones are much better. And as for Best Buy, they are known for deceptive tricks to lure consumers in.
    But then again, could be Verizon with 4G LTE issues????????

  16. wes

    02/24/2011 at 8:40 pm

    The main reason I wanted this phone was to use skype and now it might not have it.. again I gave been with Verizon for ten years. Over the years they have always last to to come out with the new technology. I have been using skype on my computer with the wireless card fir years now. I have the droid 2 now an the service is so slow. Average 100 kbps. They said it was my phone so they sent me a new one with the same slow problem. And yes I live in a big city. I spend over$ 210.00 a month do that’s over $25,000 over the ten years to get a second rated service. Looks like at@t here comes my money ..

  17. Tcmiller94

    02/25/2011 at 3:32 am

    While I have also been anxiously awaiting the release of the HTC Thunderbolt, I’m surprised that people have put all their eggs in the Thunderbolt basket. This will be the FIRST PHONE RELEASED ON THIS NEW NETWORK!!! Why in the WORLD are people rushing out to be the Guinea Pigs?

    Not me. I’m happy to let all the suckers purchase the Thunderbolt, work with Verizon to sort out all of the inevitable glitches, and then purchase a phone from the new batch which will no doubt be out in June. Thanks ahead of time, however, to all of you who DO decide to work with Verizon to ensure that my experience in June is a good one! : )

    And btw, I need a freaking translator to read some of these posts!

    • wes

      02/25/2011 at 6:10 pm

      Lol. Sorry about the typing… I was on my phone and in a hurry .. I guess I should have reread it before I posted it.. lol

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.