Finally, the HTC 10 is official and approaching a release around the world. The phone set on putting the company back on track is actually already up for pre-order and should ship early next month. Depending where exactly you are and the carrier/retailer you get it from, the HTC 10 will be offered in three colors — Carbon Grey, Glacial Silver, and Topaz Gold.
Let's see where you can get the HTC 10 in the United States.
Before getting into any carrier specifics, consider getting the unlocked edition of the HTC 10. It'll allow you to use the phone with carriers that have GSM networks. As you can see in the image above, the unlocked edition of the HTC 10 can be bought and used by AT&T and T-Mobile customers because those two carriers have GSM networks in operation.
It's priced at $699 and comes in Carbon Gray and Glacial Silver, which is likely more expensive than what individual carriers are going to charge; however, a one-day promotion knocks 10% off of the phone's price. When at checkout, use promo code HTC10 to save $70.
Verizon
Big Red was up and ready for HTC to announce the HTC 10, sending out the first statement regarding the phone's availability.
Verizon's statement:
“The HTC 10 from Verizon combines the most customizable Android experience with the nation's most powerful network. The HTC 10 will be available in the U.S. first on Verizon. You'll be able to order it in the coming weeks.”
Uh, did we go back in time? It seems that the HTC 10 is a timed exclusive for Verizon in the United States. If that is indeed the case, a lot of angry critics and consumers are going to be giving unkind words. It's 2016 and timed exclusives — or really exclusives in general — should be a thing of the past.
AT&T
It was a little odd when HTC didn't mention AT&T as one of the carriers selling its 2016 flagship. We now know why. The carrier just doesn't intend to sell the HTC 10 itself at all.
The following statement from HTC was given to TechnoBuffalo:
“AT&T won't be selling the HTC 10 directly, so we encourage AT&T customers to purchase the open channel device directly from HTC.com”
That's a bit of a disappointment. Interested AT&T customers will have to pay hundreds of dollars for the HTC 10 just because their carrier refused won't sell it despite the phone being compatible with the network.
We even reached out to AT&T myself and were told that “The listing is accurate; AT&T will not be selling the HTC 10.”
T-Mobile
Although T-Mobile doesn't have a statement just yet, John Legere's magenta-colored machine did confirm that the HTC 10 is “coming soon.”
Sprint
Sprint, who has always been loyal to HTC, is going to bring the phone to its customers.
Here's Sprint's statement:
“HTC fans will be thrilled to hear that Sprint intends to carry HTC 10 on its recently expanded LTE Plus Network, delivering faster download speeds than AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. An availability date will be announced shortly.”
This carrier decided to confirm availability while also throwing shade at the others. Well done, Sprint.
Is Verizon getting an exclusive release period? If so is that the reason AT&T opted to not carry the phone?
Based on the wording, it would seem Verizon does get the phone for an exclusive number of weeks. But I wouldn’t say that’s why AT&T isn’t carrying it. Both AT&T statements make it clear they’re not considering the phone for the future.
When will HTC join the modern world and give us release dates when they make announcements? Samsung and Apple manage to do it… “Soon” just doesn’t cut it in 2016.
Samsung Apple are also a lot bigger than HTC. However, I do agree in saying that the HTC 10 should have been announced and released during the same week. We’re almost two months removed from Samsung and LG announced the GS7/G5 at MWC 2016.