HTC Desire Z - release date in SA?

[CathJ]

I'm really, really looking forward to getting the Desire Z, but I have no idea when it might be available in SA, or at what price.

So I'm considering getting it from Expansys @ R6400. But then I could run into warranty issues... and when it is released locally it could be cheaper.... But on the other hand, it could be more expensive, and it could take months to get here!

 

[kingrob]

The Desire Z & HD were released on the same date worldwide, but I haven't seen a listing for it on MTN's web site yet. The HD is listed under upgrades on www.mtnsp.co.za .

It is a very nice phone! Might be best to give Leaf a phone call, or visit www.leaf.co.za for more info.

 

[dotVIBE]

I figure release time to be the same as that of the Desire HD, which now looks like mid December-ish.

 

[CathJ]

The Desire Z & HD were released on the same date worldwide, but I haven't seen a listing for it on MTN's web site yet. The HD is listed under upgrades on www.mtnsp.co.za .

It is a very nice phone! Might be best to give Leaf a phone call, or visit www.leaf.co.za for more info.

I've tried Leaf, but they just don't reply. I've mailed Vodacom, maybe they'll be able to help.

 

[kingrob]

I've tried Leaf, but they just don't reply. I've mailed Vodacom, maybe they'll be able to help.

All depends who you talk to, or who answers your query....I phoned Vodacom Retentions & the dude didn't even know about the Desire HD. Maybe they're all playing dumb to try and finish off the Desire stock?

*Tip : Start an official HTC Desire Z thread, there are people on here with good connections to the top brass at MTN & Vodacom. They might be able to help you.

 

[Maddmatt]

Sites like Expansys will rip you off while they're the only local companies that import it. You'll save by importing it yourself.

They were selling the Galaxy S for about R10 000 when I imported mine at a total cost of R5500 from a UK online store.

 

[mcryan]

Sites like Expansys will rip you off while they're the only local companies that import it. You'll save by importing it yourself.

They were selling the Galaxy S for about R10 000 when I imported mine at a total cost of R5500 from a UK online store.

Which UK online store might that be?

 

[Maddmatt]

Which UK online store might that be?

I used http://www.handtec.co.uk/
There's plenty of other options too.
Ordered on Moday, phone arrived on Friday. I see no point in using the local importers, just typical SA companies that like to rip us off. I had no trouble importing it myself.

 

[CathJ]

I actually got a reply from Vodacom - although not a terribly helpful one:

Kindly be advised that we have liaised with our Procurement Division who advised that the handset is currently being tested on the Vodacom network. They have advised that this can 3-4 weeks for completion and based on the outcome of the testing, then only would a decision be made when the handset would be launched on the Vodacom network.

So expansys is looking appealing... but maybe I should wait for my bonus before I make a decision

(and I'd rather go through expansys than import myself - the prices aren't that different, especially when you factor in shipping from the UK, and at least with expansys I know I won't be hit by currency fluctuations or customs fees)

 

[kingrob]

I actually got a reply from Vodacom - although not a terribly helpful one:


So expansys is looking appealing... but maybe I should wait for my bonus before I make a decision

(and I'd rather go through expansys than import myself - the prices aren't that different, especially when you factor in shipping from the UK, and at least with expansys I know I won't be hit by currency fluctuations or customs fees)

It simply does not make sense to buy a phone cash.

When you get it with a phone contract, at least you get free minutes + data with it. For example, when I took the iPhone 3G with Vodacom, I got 100sms, 120 anytime minutes + 250MB data every month .... makes more sense than buying the phone cash for R8500?

*I'm also swaying towards the Desire Z now.....just not sure about the Desire HD anymore.

 

[CathJ]

It simply does not make sense to buy a phone cash.

When you get it with a phone contract, at least you get free minutes + data with it. For example, when I took the iPhone 3G with Vodacom, I got 100sms, 120 anytime minutes + 250MB data every month .... makes more sense than buying the phone cash for R8500?

*I'm also swaying towards the Desire Z now.....just not sure about the Desire HD anymore.

For me, it just doesn't make sense to buy it on contract. I rarely make calls, so it's not like the free minutes replace what I would be spending. I buy very little airtime on prepaid, and I spend that mostly on data, so it would actually cost me more on contract x 24 months than prepaid x 24 months + phone cost. And generally there's a large pay-in on the phones I want on contract, anyway.

 

[kingrob]

For me, it just doesn't make sense to buy it on contract. I rarely make calls, so it's not like the free minutes replace what I would be spending. I buy very little airtime on prepaid, and I spend that mostly on data, so it would actually cost me more on contract x 24 months than prepaid x 24 months + phone cost. And generally there's a large pay-in on the phones I want on contract, anyway.

Then I would go with a TopUp contract, just convert the airtime to data on www.vodacom4me.co.za - will still be much cheaper.

I was actually keen on migrating my iPhone contract to a TopUp contract, but then I would lose my dual sim, which I'm not prepared to do. So....it's a Talk75 contract & I can buy a data bundle every second month (it lasts for two months), e.g. 600MB @ R185.

 

[CathJ]

Leaf (well, lab88) say they should have it in 2 to 3 weeks...

 

[M V D Merwe]

Had a chance to play with someone's Desire Z over the weekend. Stunning phone nice silver finish will go for it as opposed to DHD. Soon.....

Sent from my HTC Desire using MyBroadband Android App

 

[HawkiesZA]

I mailed lab88 about two weeks ago and they said that it should be available this week. I'm holding thumbs, but not my breath.

 

[CathJ]

lab88 has a price up! It's still only on pre-order, but it lists it at R6888 (same price as the Mozart, incidentally).

 

[HawkiesZA]

lab88 has a price up! It's still only on pre-order, but it lists it at R6888 (same price as the Mozart, incidentally).

Yep, saw it too just now. It's a smidge more expensive than Expansys. I'm still a little undecided on this one - I'll definitely take the Desire Z over the Desire HD, but I'm not sure if I should actually get the Desire Z or try and stick it out with my trusty Dream :-/

 

[CathJ]

Yep, saw it too just now. It's a smidge more expensive than Expansys. I'm still a little undecided on this one - I'll definitely take the Desire Z over the Desire HD, but I'm not sure if I should actually get the Desire Z or try and stick it out with my trusty Dream :-/

It is slightly more, but then you have the advantage of a local warranty, which you don't have with expansys. I'm going to wait until it's available from lab88 - hopefully not too long now!

 

[kingrob]

It is slightly more, but then you have the advantage of a local warranty, which you don't have with expansys. I'm going to wait until it's available from lab88 - hopefully not too long now!

Cath, don't know why, but I still think you're getting the better phone between the Desire HD & Z.

You know something we dont.

 

[HawkiesZA]

It is slightly more, but then you have the advantage of a local warranty, which you don't have with expansys. I'm going to wait until it's available from lab88 - hopefully not too long now!

Yeah, there is the warranty thing. I have been thinking though, that I'm probably going to end up rooting it anyway, so the warranty will be void pretty soon. I also saw that Altronix has it up for grabs at R5590 + import duties, which should work out quite a bit cheaper than through lab88. Have any of you dealt with Altronix and can they be trusted?