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Verizon HTC One Launch is Unacceptable

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It looks like Verizon HTC One buyers are going to have to wait even longer for the device to emerge from the shadows as the device’s release date has been pushed back to August 15th, just another setback in a launch that has, quite simply, been unacceptable.

Prior to the HTC One’s launch in February, rumors suggested that it would be heading to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, something that turned out to be true. All three carriers threw their weight behind the device almost immediately and wound up launching the HTC One, after a short delay, in late April alongside the Samsung Galaxy S4.

There also, however, were rumors that the HTC One would be heading to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, a prospect that excited consumers thanks to Verizon’s massive 4G LTE network and its highly rated customer support. Verizon did not confirm the HTC One initially like the other carriers. Instead, the carrier waited for two months before confirming the device for arrival.

The HTC One Verizon launch is still up in the air, two months later.

The HTC One Verizon launch is still up in the air, two months later.

On June 3rd, HTC and Verizon confirmed the good news. The Verizon HTC One would be hitting shelves sometime this summer. However, the companies decided that it wasn’t time to release any other details. Since June 3rd, nearly two months ago, prospective Verizon HTC One buyers have been searching for information in regards to the device. And unfortunately, neither company has obliged.

Read: Verizon HTC One Release Date Pushed Back Two Weeks.

Earlier this month, it appeared that the device was set for an August 1st launch but today, word got out that the company would not be releasing the device tomorrow and instead, the release date was moved to August 15th, a solid two weeks from now and more than two months after the initial announcement.

As someone who isn’t planning to buy the Verizon HTC One, this news doesn’t bother me. However, the Verizon HTC One launch situation is completely unacceptable, reminiscent of the bungled HTC ThunderBolt launch so many years ago. And here’s why.

Lack of Details

For those that remember, the HTC ThunderBolt launch was an absolute nightmare, plagued by delays, release date rumors, and more, all while the device was official. I didn’t think the companies would find a way to top that mangled launch but they have. The Verizon HTC One launch is on par with the worst smartphone launches of all time.

Now, I understand that Verizon is completely within what it announced which was that it would be out this summer. Summer ends in late September. However, the fact that it has now been two months since that announcement and neither company has uttered a word about the details is, in a word, ridiculous.

No release date. No pricing. No details on the features. Not even an official photo of the device. Nothing. It’s as if this phone doesn’t exist. Only it does, and it’s a phone that many people want to buy. Keep in mind, this is a phone that has been out on shelves since April. It’s nothing new. So it’s just mind-boggling how badly HTC and Verizon have dropped the ball here.

The Verizon HTC One is official and yet, it has a grand total of zero details attached to it.

The Verizon HTC One is official and yet, it has a grand total of zero details attached to it.

I’ve argued that it probably has something to do with the testing of Android 4.2 which is said to be stock on the Verizon HTC One and has yet to roll out to other carriers in the U.S. I think that’s why we might be seeing these generic sounding August 1st and August 15th release dates because Verizon simply doesn’t know when it will be done testing the software.

News flash. Android 4.2 is out on the market and if that’s the hold up, just share that with consumers. No harm in that.

I’ve seen other people argue that the carrier is simply just trying to figure out how to space out the launches of the Moto X, Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini before announcing anything. Perhaps that is true, but you would think that Verizon and HTC could at least confirm the pricing and the features on board the device.

Instead, silence reigns as we march into August without any answers.

Other Device Launches

Prospective HTC One Verizon buyers have also been treated to a Verizon event post-HTC One announcement for the Droid MAXX, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini, three devices that were promptly given release dates and pricing. Talk about a slap in the face.

Tomorrow, Verizon will likely confirm the Moto X for arrival along with a number of other carriers and it may tag with it with a price and an August release date. Two slaps in the face. It’s a trend that HTC One buyers can’t escape.

Now I understand product pipelines and how difficult nailing down timing is. I get it. But what I don’t get is why HTC and Verizon confirmed this device, this old device, two months ago if they knew that they wouldn’t be able to supply customers with answers. Someone must have seen this coming, seen HTC USA’s Facebook and Twitter account getting inundated with questions that it simply can’t answer.

Verizon is notoriously slow to launch devices. Cases in point, the Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy S4. However, Verizon wasn’t this late with either of those launches and it’s never late when it comes to Apple’s iPhone. Verizon continues to treat HTC like a third wheel which is unfortunate because the HTC One is one of the best smartphones of the year. And it’s things like this that contributed to HTC’s free fall as a company. It’s sad to see.

So while I hope this is the last time HTC and Verizon pull a launch like this, it’s impossible to ignore history.

24 Comments

24 Comments

  1. John

    07/31/2013 at 12:56 pm

    You’re right and I hope nobody buys it and leaves verizon with a load of useless phones…After the long drawn out games they played trying to push their crappy moto droid phones before the good phones they deserve to be sitting with not only a bunch of useless htc ones but also a bunch of useless garbage moto droids …I myself will be waiting them out for the Iphone 5s ..

    • John

      07/31/2013 at 12:58 pm

      Oh and I will be buying my new Iphone through apple itself not through Verizon…

    • Samuel

      07/31/2013 at 6:33 pm

      What a bunch of whiners. Why do you waste your time waiting around on a release of a phone? Good grief,Verizon said it would be out this summer,and if they had said it would be out tomorrow,and it doesnt come for two weeks,then I can see people being upset,but,rumors are often just rumors. It could be out a week from now,it may be 2 weeks. I Phone is NOT a good option. It is not user friendly,Apple is too restrictive whereas Android is not,and my HTC Rezound would smoke the I Phone in nearly every category,so there I Phone users,I said it,your phone is not as good as you say it is,and if you want to waste 500 dollars buying,waste your money,because the One will last a whole lot longer and is more durable,and Beats beats anything I Tunes or apple can throw at it. Stop whining people,its a phone,a phone!

      • rock

        08/02/2013 at 11:21 am

        amen bother. first world problems- geezus i just found this site trying to catch an update on the status, not to hate on Verizon. title of this article: “unacceptable” ? lmao… chill, bro

      • Larry

        08/02/2013 at 7:34 pm

        Thanks god I have a htc one already no more drama go t mobile and up yours VZW!! That’s why I left VZW a year ago!!! Good luck ya all!!

    • Seriously?!

      08/02/2013 at 11:33 am

      Wow. I don’t know where to start with your idiotic comment. I got two things out of that drivel: you’re an idiot, and you’re a hypocrite. So, you would rather forgo purchasing a good cell phone (you even said the HTC One is a good phone) because they made you wait for the release? Seriously? Yeah, I don’t think that business practice was very ethical or wise, but you’re not going to buy the cell phone and hope that no one else does?

      Then, you say you are going to wait for the Iphone 5 to be released. Seriously! There is so much hypocrisy and stupidity in that one sentence I’m surprised the world hasn’t imploded. Let me get this straight, you are not going to purchase the HTC One because they made you wait for it, but you will purchase the Iphone 5 even though they made you wait for it. Oh and purchasing the Iphone through Apple itself is pointless as long as you are still using Verizon as the carrier, so you deserve a round of applause for cleverly thinking that one through. Not forgetting to mention the fact that purchasing the Iphone 5 is like purchasing a slightly smaller Ipad for 2x the price… wait, you’re probably the kind of person who falls for lazy business strategies like that all the time. Please, stop being such an ignoramus.

    • IOU812

      08/03/2013 at 9:30 pm

      The 5S will b another useless apple crap dude and VZW sucks like u!!

  2. jeninky

    07/31/2013 at 1:18 pm

    They put in 4G, now my S3 doesn’t work where I live. Suddenly, I live in a “marginal” area after 9 years of service that worked flawlessly until the 4G went in. I’ve been waiting on this phone for months and it’s going to be 2 weeks more. WTF!? Looking for another carrier. They offered me a pre-order of the Droid Ultra. Um, no thanks. That appears to be the REAL reason for the delays. Now the S4 active is out on ATT. Any mention of it at Verizon? Nope. Dear Sprint: Please step it up!

  3. coastcat

    07/31/2013 at 1:40 pm

    Incredibly frustrating. I am trapped on Verizon (because of work) but they are have destroyed their brand in my view. Ironically, I am still using the Thunderbolt, waiting and waiting to upgrade to HTC One… your comparison of the two phones is making me think twice.

  4. Kmac_321

    07/31/2013 at 2:14 pm

    I’m still using the HTC THUNDERBOLT and it’s dying… like it needs to be charged for me to use it. If it’s not charged it just shuts off randomly… Shit I waited a long time for the Thunderbolt and now I’m waiting for a long ass time on the ONE!!! I’m really suffering here!!!!

    • Pystr

      07/31/2013 at 4:40 pm

      Another HTC Thunderbolt user here. Been off contract since Dec ’11 and just haven’t been interested in the VZW’s offerings in the meantime until I saw the One. Best argument with this debacle is that they are “in bed” with Moto and trying their very best to steer impatient customers toward these substandard phones before releasing the One. They have no loyalty to HTC for whatever reason. My Thunderbolt is dying a slow death and something’s gotta give!! AT&T is calling me!!

  5. Larry

    07/31/2013 at 3:13 pm

    If I could I would break and smash every Verizon store window if I could get away with it, VZW sucks ass!! Heck Walmart trac phone beats them

  6. Andrew

    07/31/2013 at 3:24 pm

    I am absolutely furious with Verizon for this, among other things. Unfortunately they have the best coverage in my area, or else I would’ve left a long time ago.

    • IOU812

      08/02/2013 at 7:36 pm

      They might have good cellular but not data, data sucks and slow!!

  7. Seth B

    07/31/2013 at 4:02 pm

    I personally hope they have a million of the HTC ones still lying around by December. I’m going with the X. Announced tomorrow and if the rumors are right, out only 8 days after the One on VZW… Definition of lame, and I hope they pay for it with customers and unsold stock…

    • po

      08/02/2013 at 4:17 pm

      Why would you get an X when its half the phone the One is? Oh, because its brand new. Oh, and you can choose your colors.

  8. Jill is here once more

    07/31/2013 at 11:09 pm

    I have a Samsung Charge – old, slow, dying, needs to be rebooted 4 times a day. Replacement factory batteries last half as long as when it was new. I can’t rely on it for alarm clock, which is what I normally use. Good thing it’s summer and it gets light early.

    My experience with this Samsung is such that I want a change of brands. S4 plastic does not impress. In fact, I am willing to move to HTC to get better sound (Charge sounds dull, flat, weak), and still give up the SD card and removable battery.

    My wife gave up and bought an iPhone 5 yesterday. I am tempted to follow suit, though I hate Apple’s closed system and arrogant attitude.

  9. casualsuede

    08/01/2013 at 10:49 am

    So, is this a non issue? You say in your story, that it “appears” to be launching August 1st. Did you actually have definitive proof that it was?

    How could it be late if the only annoucement was “launching sometime in the summer”. In actuality, they are launching on time.

  10. Woody Wilson

    08/01/2013 at 1:57 pm

    So, Verizon goes months and months without a release and then drops 4 Motorolas and an HTC in the same month–and an LG and iPhone soon too–? Great plan, Verizon. Let’s not stagger anything…just let them fight a death match. SMH

  11. Doug Wylde

    08/02/2013 at 7:33 pm

    if the htc one ever gets here , I hope the price drops ! who wants to pay full price for a phone that has been out since early this year ?

    I’d get it if the 64gb was 99$ 32gb for 49$
    anyone agree ?

    • IOU812

      08/03/2013 at 9:33 pm

      I agree here on that too I’m with ya on that but VZW won’t have it??

    • IOU812

      08/03/2013 at 9:36 pm

      Also apple iPhone should too!! Them greedy scums!! Full price till day after new launch?? BS!!

      • Martin

        08/16/2013 at 10:48 pm

        Yeah, I might pick up a free 4s then, instead of the htc at $199, at least $100 overpriced at this point.

    • Martin

      08/16/2013 at 10:46 pm

      worth the wait at those prices Doug, or even up to $199 and $99 for 64 and 32, after they are being deeply discounted by AT&T on Amazon. Great phone but it’s real $$ value has dropped considerably. The market is saturated and other carriers are winding down inventory in anticipation of the eagerly anticipated newer versions. I was ready to pounce and now I’m ready to wait……as long as it takes. Wish my verizon contract was up on a year old iphone 4s.

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