Bad news for Android fans hoping to pick up the HTC Thunderbolt at Best Buy. Last week, we reported Best Buy ad was listing the Thunderbolt at $249, but it seems that’s no longer the case. The latest ad, listed in Best Buy’s online buyer’s guide, now shows a $50 price increase to $299 on a two year contract with Verizon. With an unsubsidized price of $749 as well, are smartphones reaching a point where they’re just too expensive?

The Thunderbolt has been troubled with price issues, slipped release dates, failed Skype video chat support and even public wifi issues. But it’s not exactly motivating that this new 4G phone would be even more expensive than it was originally listed. Especially when Verizon gave it away just a week ago on for Valentine’s Day. So, will Android fans pony up the additional $50? Or will they move on to the Atrix, or even wait and see if there’s a 4G iPhone now that Apple’s come to Verizon?

[via Droid Life]

60 COMMENTS

    • Because Verizon knows that tons of people want it for 4G on the Verizon network in the first few weeks so they sell it at what the buyer will bear. The Fascinate started out at $200+. Now you can get it for $39.99 on Wirefly and Amazon. The Continiuum is $.01 at some places. So pay $299, aka $249 or wait 60-90 days and get the Thunderbolt for $99 to $149. EVO 4G is $99 on Amazon. The Thunderbolt is worth a little more with more memory and 32GB etc. If you want it real bad, then you will pay a real bad price!

      • once you compare real 4G LTE speeds to the AT&T “4G” , you’ll get it… AT&T ISN’T upgrading to LTE for nothing.

  3. I have to say that this has gotten to be ridiculous with both Verizon and Best Buy. My patience is wearing thin. I have been waiting for this phone since it was announced and even placed my pre-order with Best Buy, but at this point I am ready to leave Verizon and this phone because this whole situation has been just ridiculous. Verizon has gone from the best to the worst. There are too many phones out there with the same capabilities to have to pay $300. This is abuse.

    • Verizon hasn’t done anything, honestly it’s Best Buys fault starting the preorder and stating dates that didn’t happen. They are the cause of almost all this BS Verizon promised the phone in the 1st quarter that’s it.

  4. I have to say that this has gotten to be ridiculous with both Verizon and Best Buy. My patience is wearing thin. I have been waiting for this phone since it was announced and even placed my pre-order with Best Buy, but at this point I am ready to leave Verizon and this phone because this whole situation has been just ridiculous. Verizon has gone from the best to the worst. There are too many phones out there with the same capabilities to have to pay $300. This is abuse.

  5. Its not true. Even if you go to bestbuy.com and look at their flier it says $249.99 and you can click for more info and it verifies. Also the flier is only good through the 26th so the phone will launch on Thurdsay.

  6. Its not true. Even if you go to bestbuy.com and look at their flier it says $249.99 and you can click for more info and it verifies. Also the flier is only good through the 26th so the phone will launch on Thurdsay.

    • I can tell u that the Bolt is not releasing on this coming Thursday! That’s a fact. The Xoom is but not the Thunderbolt. Sorry pal. I work for the company and I don’t even know a solid release date.

      Good luck,
      Alfredo (Fettuccine)

  8. I’ve been waiting for this phone since the CES. I’ve been checking for updates daily. I’m done. I’m out. This is just too much to put up with. It’s bad enough when they won’t give you a straight answer on a release date. Now they want to overcharge me for the experience? I guess we won’t know the price for sure until it is finally released, but I do know I will not pay $300 for this phone.

  9. I’m at the same point now. We’ve been waiting for this phone, but the delays, the issues, the lack of any information from Verizon, and now this price hike has been wearing me thin. Especially with the Driod Bionic coming out in a few months which has better specs than this one, I might just pass up on the Thunderbolt and wait because of all the games they are playing, and that is if I stick with Verizon at all.

  10. I’m at the same point now. We’ve been waiting for this phone, but the delays, the issues, the lack of any information from Verizon, and now this price hike has been wearing me thin. Especially with the Driod Bionic coming out in a few months which has better specs than this one, I might just pass up on the Thunderbolt and wait because of all the games they are playing, and that is if I stick with Verizon at all.

  11. Best Buy Ad: “$249 After Savings”…come on now…it’s not even *FINE* print.

    I’m as tired of waiting as everyone else. I’m so mad I almost want to buy an i*hone just so I can return it and screw with VZW’s sales figures…

  12. Verizon= Fail
    why cant they just release some information about whats going on, or at least put some “bad rumors” to rest instead of letting the public/websites print whatever is coming out of the rumor mill? Verizon has got to know all the negative publicity this is causing, very frustrating…

  13. I am sick of waiting too, but you do have to remember that at CES they stated that this will not be out until Early March. If they release it this week that would be early. And we are just getting fed up because of all of the Rumors that are going around. Being “Rumors” we didn’t know the real info anyway. We were just hanging onto what Other people said not Verizon. I am still going to get it and I hope when the “real” price and features are announced they are what we were all wanting.

    • The trouble is that Verizon tweeted that the Thunderbolt “may release sooner then expected” pointing to a February release. And now they are quiet….

  14. I’ve been willing to pay extra. I consider $249 extra. The thing is, Best Buy doesn’t just make these numbers up. When Best Buy says it a 2/14 release, Best Buy has been told it’s a 2/14 release. The same goes for the $249 price. What bothers me is with the release date getting pushed, and Skype not being ready at launch, this price change(if true) seems to be $50 in the wrong direction.

  15. I’ve been willing to pay extra. I consider $249 extra. The thing is, Best Buy doesn’t just make these numbers up. When Best Buy says it a 2/14 release, Best Buy has been told it’s a 2/14 release. The same goes for the $249 price. What bothers me is with the release date getting pushed, and Skype not being ready at launch, this price change(if true) seems to be $50 in the wrong direction.

  16. Verizon is doing a really good job of alienating its customer base. First they axe the BB Storm 3 days before its expected release which was a big thing for BB Storm 1 users like myself who waited for a functioning Storm. Then I waited for the iPhone and get last year’s technology after lots of hooplah. Others seem to share that disappointment if sales are any measure. Now we wait for the Thunderbolt and 2 days before the alleged release date and they have not said that they are releasing the phone and many of the features that were expected don’t work. Maybe I should wait for the Bionic in a few months or roll the dice with another carrier.

  17. Verizon is doing a really good job of alienating its customer base. First they axe the BB Storm 3 days before its expected release which was a big thing for BB Storm 1 users like myself who waited for a functioning Storm. Then I waited for the iPhone and get last year’s technology after lots of hooplah. Others seem to share that disappointment if sales are any measure. Now we wait for the Thunderbolt and 2 days before the alleged release date and they have not said that they are releasing the phone and many of the features that were expected don’t work. Maybe I should wait for the Bionic in a few months or roll the dice with another carrier.

  18. I think the Thunderbolt is over rated and is priced too high. In addition, most areas do not have 4g coverage. Also, no Skype with Thunderbolt upon its release. Veriizon, HTC and BB dropped the ball on this phone. I have no interest in this phone anymore. All the hype for this phone and it has turned out to be a huge disappointment before its release. Verizon can’t even market the Thunderbolt right. The ad gives little detail about the phone and lacks marketing appeal. This is a fair warning for what to expect with the Thunderbolt and Verizon.

  20. Dam that’s right. Everyone is tired of google-ing the release date for this phone. It’s just a dam phone that people actually need. Pretty soon it’s gonna be old. so just give us that release date and stop being stupid. Don’t ignore all the people and give them what they want. We are the ones who make up your company, your phones, your employees, your whole business! If you read this Verizon then know that I am a loyal Verizon customer but something so pointless like this might even get me to switch 😉

    • Verizon has really dropped the ball on this one! But then again they really could never even dribble! They have the strongest signal, but absolutely everything else about them makes no sense. They are like the kid that got the coolest pair of Nikes on christmas, but always forgets to tie his laces before the big game…FAIL! I mean, I have been a loyal Verizon customer and now I’m just tired of let down after let down by them. Atrix is twice the phone this thing is for HALF THE PRICE! WTF Verizon? Pls remove your head from your anus…thx!

  21. Considering it is already Wednesday night. 1 AM CST and Verizon is not giving up any info, I doubt the phone will release this Thursday. And I agree. Verizon or someone in VZW Corporate is the ones giving BestBuy the information to release ads on the product. So it is VZW marketing that is not communicating with their tech department. BestBuy just doesn’t release any information from any wireless carrier without authorization from the carrier’s marketing department. But Verizon keeps screwing with their customers without issuing a press release on the issue at hand. Just keep waiting that is all we can do at this point.

  25. A multi-billion dollar corporation like Verizon should be embarassed with this whole HTC Thunderbolt situation. Running ad’s constantly on TV; advertising in every media outlet, and not providing a release date? They’ve shown what a second rate operation they truly are… and I just today converted to A T & T after being with VZW for 20 years. Bye Bye

  26. A multi-billion dollar corporation like Verizon should be embarassed with this whole HTC Thunderbolt situation. Running ad’s constantly on TV; advertising in every media outlet, and not providing a release date? They’ve shown what a second rate operation they truly are… and I just today converted to A T & T after being with VZW for 20 years. Bye Bye

  27. You guys make me crack up it’s a cell phone there hasn’t been an official release date so there is no way it can be pushed back pricing may change dates may change but all you people kno even with you moaning and groaning you still are going to get one

  29. What BEST BUY is doing right now is fraud.Getting people to put down 50 bucks on a phone that VERIZON has not even put out a release date own yet.

    • Verizon had a release date for Best Buy and it was supposed to be 2 months before Verizon stores. Because the Iphone was such a flop Vzn is stalling on the thunderbolt to try and steal bizz from Best Buy, if anything that’s B.S. and who you should be mad at.

      • It wasn’t SUPPOSE to be in Best Buy 2 months before ANY store. Whoever gives you your information is an idiot. You must actually work for Best Buy the way you are defending them.

        I am a Verizon employee and all along our store was releasing the phone THE SAME DAY as Best Buy. It was Best Buy’s fault for actually advertising the phone in weekly ads…Verizon didn’t..none of their retailers did…

        And Best Buy’s protection plan isn’t all that…yes its better than Verizon’s Asurion insurance…but you can get third party insurance anywhere.

  30. Screw it, I waited this long I might as well wait till this summer for the Iphone 5 on ATT. I had VZN almost two years ago then switched to ATT, but was will willing to make the switch again, until I saw the HTC Freestyle for my kids. Its messaging phone that required NO DATA PLAN and a perfect cheap add-on to my family plan. Also saw it for 19.99 on Amazon, check it out, oh BTW I have the HTC Tilt2, and going on my 9th phone in 1y 9m, IT SUCKKKKKK i’m done w/ Windows phones!!!!!

  31. the date keeps getting pushed back because HTC and Verizon are having trouble with finalizing contract agreements so final details can’t be released yet it’s what they are anticipating if it’s not dated on HTC or Verizon it’s not official. that simple ppl…

  34. Shiiiiiiiiiiiit like im paying extra for a phone with battery problems and was released like at least a week late

  37. This info is incorrect, that is Best Buy’s MONTHLY buyers guide meaning it’s the highest it will possibly be for that month. It’s been the same way for a lot of other hot phones you need to pay attention to their weekly flyers and in store pricing that book is just a guide.

    Also at $50 more i’d still rather buy it from them, they have no mail in rebates, a much better protection plan, they don’t charge for data transfers or email set ups and they are not commisioned ***holes. I am would guarentee it will be at $249.99 when it launches and if it isn’t a manager will lower it for anyone to match verizon, they are very competitive.

  41. Patience everyone! Make one hasty purchase and you’ll be stuck for two years – been there, done that and I’m soooo ready for a new phone but the wait will be worth it.

  43. given that my Droid ver 1 is all of 18 months old….that there have been 1,456 new smartphones to have hit the market SINCE the Droid release, and that through regular use (daily charging in the usb slot, because the battery needs to be charged constantly) and through not-all-that-regular use of the headphones jack…..my headphones jack and usb jack are both very loose and the usb cable just falls out of the phone…..these phones just aren’t built to last 2 years. If this is the case, that’s a $150 per year “phone” expense on top of your monthly service contract….and you’re stuck with that phone for two years now bc verizon doesn’t have their upgrade service anymore. So even if I’m okay with spending $150 per year on a new phone ($300 every two years)….which I’m not….I still have to wait 6 months with my broken phone before i move onto a new one. This is a bubble. For sue.

  45. I want to warn you all, I bought my Droid HTC Thunderbolt 4G phone a year ago, from the beginning its had one issue after another to changing your page while you are typing a text, running slow, can’t handle too many apps, doesn’t offer the great apps iPhone offers, its no faster than my BlackberryStorm, sends texts to the wrong people, battery runs out fast. This phone truly is a bad investment.

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