As we all know, early on April 12th, the brand new HTC 10 smartphone was announced and unveiled after months of rumors and speculation. With an all aluminum design with big chamfered edges, and a bigger improved 5.2-inch Quad-HD 2560 x1440 display. HTC’s best yet. It has a stunning camera, top-tier specs, a bigger battery, Hi-Fi sound and everything buyers should want in a smartphone. Here are all the HTC 10 release date details, pricing, pre-order information and more.
As expected, HTC debuted a phone we’ve seen plenty over the past few months, and it looks to be their best smartphone in years. The company struggled with the HTC One M8 and M8 in 2014-15, for offering a almost identical design similar to what Apple and Samsung does. This year although, they have an all-new completely reinvented HTC 10 coming soon.
The new and improved HTC 10 is available starting today from htc.com for select carriers (more on that below) and will be released in the United States in early May. Here’s everything you need to know about the HTC 10 release date and pre-orders.
HTC kicked off the announcement by talking a lot about the design. Claiming the newly redesigned unibody aluminum shell was perfected through customer feedback and various polls. Some love the look on back with that big chamfered edge, others, not so much. Until we get our hands on it, I’m somewhere in the middle.
Sadly HTC hasn’t given us an exact release date, but all potential buyers need to know is the HTC 10 will be available “from early May” on multiple carriers in the United States, and around the globe. With that in mind, lets get started on all the details.
Update: Moments ago Verizon confirmed they’ll be the first US carrier to offer the HTC 10, and pre-orders will begin on April 29th. No release date was given, but most likely it will be available within a week or so of the 29th. Here’s their official statement.
“Verizon will start preorders for the HTC 10 on April 29.Besides, Verizon Wireless stores will host exclusive in-store previews on April 29 to give consumers and media a hands-on look at the HTC 10. Verizon will be the first wireless carrier to offer the HTC 10.”
Potential buyers will be able to try it out early in Verizon stores, make pre-orders, and join the list to be first in line to get HTC’s new flagship smartphone. Other carriers will make announcements soon.
As expected, the new HTC 10 has top-tier specs across the board, and is actually very similar to the award-winning Galaxy S7 through and through. Featuring nearly the same specs under the hood, a different design, and some small changes. Here’s the full details.
HTC 10 Specs & Features
- 5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD SLCD5 Display
- Quad-Core Snapdragon 820 Processor with 4GB of RAM (Like the Galaxy S7)
- 32 or 64GB storage with a micro-SD slot for storage expansion
- 12MP UltraPixel Rear Camera (f/1.8, 1.55um, Optical Image Stabilization)
- 5 Megapixel Front Camera with f/1.8 aperture, OIS
- Unibody aluminum design in three colors
- Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Sense UI 8.0
- Fingerprint Scanner
- FreeStyle UI where apps, icons, or widgets can go anywhere. No longer locked to a 5×5 grid
- 3,000 mAh battery for all-day usage, Quick Charge 3.0 Rapid Charging
- 32-bit Hi-Fi BoomSound Speakers (Tweeter up front, sub on bottom)
- Supports both Google Cast and Apple AirPlay
more
The new HTC 10 has a lot going for it. A simple and beautiful design that is well-crafted and probably much more premium than the LG G5. Top tier specs across the board, a stunning new camera that just topped the Galaxy S7 in reviews and reports, and tons of power under the hood for apps, games and even music.
Yes the dual front speakers are gone, however the sound quality and crisp highs aren’t. HTC put a tweeter up top in the earpiece for great crisp highs during music or video, and a subwoofer on bottom for the lows. They each have their own amp, and the phone has some Hi-Fi sound. Meaning they aren’t both front facing, but don’t need to be, and should sound great.
HTC 10 Release Date Details
The new HTC 10 smartphone is available for pre-order starting today at HTC.com for $699, which is slightly more than the Galaxy S7, and less than the Galaxy S7 Edge. It’s a good middle ground in terms of size, and price.
HTC is selling a global unlocked model on its website, as well as a model that works with AT&T and another for T-Mobile. These are unlocked, without carrier bloatware and apps, which means faster software updates as well. This is the best route for buyers.
And while pre-orders are available starting today, the phone won’t be available until “early in May” but no exact release date was given. That being said, countless leaks have all suggested May 12th, but we’ll update once we know more.
As stated above, Verizon kicks things off first on April 29th, and others will follow shortly behind them.
HTC 10 Pre-Orders
As we said above, the HTC 10 is available for pre-order starting today, April 12th on htc.com but those who want a carrier-specific model will have to wait a little longer. Sprint and T-Mobile will make announcements and release details in the near future, and we’ll update once they do. For now users can look forward to Verizon’s April 29th date.
Users can also expect the HTC 10 to be available from Best Buy, Walmart, and many other retail stores including Amazon.
HTC 10 Deals
While we’re not seeing a free VR headset or spare battery like some of the competition, as HTC doesn’t have a removable battery and won’t be giving out a HTC Vive VR, we are expecting some deals to surface. Both Samsung and LG had deals for those who pre-ordered, and as carriers make announcements be on the lookout or check back here for more information.
That said, those who are picking up the HTC 10 or pre-ordering today can save $100 by using the promotional code “HTC1008” at checkout. Bringing this impressive phone down to $599. As more deals are revealed, we’ll update with all the details and information.
UH-OH Protection
HTC’s new smartphone may not be IP68 water resistant like the new Galaxy S7, but that shouldn’t be a concern for buyers. Similar to previous years, the phone will come with HTC UH-OH Protection absolutely free. Which includes one replacement at no charge within the first 12 months of ownership for a cracked screen or water damage.
This means that owners can use it without being worried about it getting dropped, damaged, or broken, because HTC will replace it with no hassle.
For now all buyers need to know is the new HTC 10 has plenty to offer, a refined design, a great new user interface loaded with options, customization, themes and more. An improved new camera, bigger display, better battery life, expandable storage and will be available in early May. Stay tuned for more details.
HTC 10 Colors
The HTC 10 comes in three impressive new colors: Gold, Silver, and Charcoal. However, it appears that the US will only have Silver or Charcoal (black) available. It comes with a black front, covered entirely in Gorilla Glass. There’s also a version with 64GB of storage, a white front model and more, but those won’t be available in the US at launch. The 32GB model is the only option from carriers here in the United States.
Over the course of the next few months we could see some color-specific models arrive as carrier exclusives, or users can likely import the 64GB model if desired. That said, it has a micro-SD slot so having more storage isn’t too much of an issue. HTC also worked with carriers, their software team, and Google to offer less bloatware than other phones (we’re looking at you, LG G5) to offer a streamlined experience and more storage for owners out of the box. It also has a lot of stock Android, with far less HTC Sense in the way, which many will likely enjoy.
HTC 10 Carriers
This is the big news. The all-new HTC 10 smartphone will be available in May from Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, with no mention of AT&T. Apparently AT&T will not carry the new HTC 10. All three carriers above will announce colors, pricing, and availability in the coming weeks.
It’s worth noting that Verizon Wireless has already confirmed they’ll be the first carrier in the US to offer the phone, ahead of the rest. And will make an announcement in the coming weeks.
Therefore what about those on AT&T? Well, we have good news. Technically it’s better for AT&T customers that the carrier isn’t offering it, because HTC is selling an unlocked model on HTC.com. This is unlocked, no carrier branding or bloatware, and will get software updates direct from HTC rather than jumping through carrier hoops, which often delays updates by 6-8 weeks.
The global unlocked model works on AT&T or T-Mobile, and the choices above only mean it will ship with that carriers SIM card. We’d recommend those on AT&T or T-Mobile choose this route. HTC also has interest-free financing for 12 months for those who’d rather not drop $699 outright.
