According to a Reuters source, the Google Phone, also known as the HTC Nexus Ono, the HTC Dream, and the HTC Passion, will be available for sale Jan. 5th.
The Google Phone is expected to come in two variants… A subsidized T-Mobile version locked to T-Mobile’s network, and an unlocked, unsubsidized version that can be used on any GSM network.
There are also rumors, albeit, less credible than Reuters, that the Google Phone will be relatively inexpensive. $199 and $99 with a $100 rebate respectively. An AndroidGuys.com commentator says that the device will be $199 in stores and that the $100 rebate is for users who have an “old” Gmail account.
Getting $100 discount for having an “old” Gmail account sounds a little different. What I could envision, however, is $199 unlocked. $199 with a $100 rebate locked to T-Mobile, but, this is just pure speculation. Whatever the pricing, if it does come in less than $200, I think Google will have a hit on their hands.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
$199 unlocked would be selling at a HEAVY loss for a smartphone of this sort. iSuppli estimates parts alone for an iPhone 3GS (roughly equivalent) at $179.99, so Big G would be subsidizing a phone at $199 probably to the tune of $100-150 a pop. That’s way too much.
I never heard about the possibility of getting such a discount if you have an old Gmail account. Is that still on the table? If so, how and where to do you find out more or take advantage of that? aaron pearson