HTC One launched in SA, Vodacom contract prices revealed

Two problems here, it's the price and Vodacom. Neither acceptable.
 
Smart L contract works out to R17,000 over the 24 months. That when Cell C offers 500MB/m for R75/m (or less) = R1,800 over 24 months. So dear readers, you are paying a boat load of money for that HTC One.
 
About time. By far the best android based smartphone out there
 
Question of the day: is the HTC One worth a price premium over a Samsung Galaxy S4?

I have yet to see anything that would justify. One is physically better - but in 12-18 months when the battery is fooked and you can't replace it that pretty design is going to mean nothing!
 
flashsa said:
Question of the day: is the HTC One worth a price premium over a Samsung Galaxy S4?

I have yet to see anything that would justify. One is physically better - but in 12-18 months when the battery is fooked and you can't replace it that pretty design is going to mean nothing!
Click to expand...

Well.... at least its better.
 
flashsa said:
Question of the day: is the HTC One worth a price premium over a Samsung Galaxy S4?

I have yet to see anything that would justify. One is physically better - but in 12-18 months when the battery is fooked and you can't replace it that pretty design is going to mean nothing!
Click to expand...

Have you ever replaced the battery in your current or previous phone? Everyone is moaning about the non-replaceable battery... Apple guys have lived with it for years and haven't had a problem. I think battery technology has improved substantially since the old Nokia 3310 days, so I really do think that is a moot point?
 
WesleyR said:
Have you ever replaced the battery in your current or previous phone? Everyone is moaning about the non-replaceable battery... Apple guys have lived with it for years and haven't had a problem. I think battery technology has improved substantially since the old Nokia 3310 days, so I really do think that is a moot point?
Click to expand...

Yip - I have yet to own a phone where after 12-18 months it gives the same performance as day 1

Last phone was a BB Torch 9800 and I bought a new battery after 15 months. Cost was almost R500.....
 
BeVonk! said:
Smart L contract works out to R17,000 over the 24 months. That when Cell C offers 500MB/m for R75/m (or less) = R1,800 over 24 months. So dear readers, you are paying a boat load of money for that HTC One.
Click to expand...

Smart L works out to R2400 for the device.
Whats Cell C price?
 
Haldex said:
Smart L works out to R2400 for the device.
Whats Cell C price?
Click to expand...

Sorry,I disagree with your sums....

Smart L is R499pm. Vodacom is charging R709 per month if you select the HTC One.

Difference is R210pm x 24 months = R5040 for the device....
 
flashsa said:
Sorry,I disagree with your sums....

Smart L is R499pm. Vodacom is charging R709 per month if you select the HTC One.

Difference is R210pm x 24 months = R5040 for the device....
Click to expand...

Yip I forgot to carry the 1.:p
Still much lower than R17 000.
 
Also, this makes the HTC a fraction under R1500 over 24 months more expensive than Vodacom's S4 offering..... I don't see the justification IMO.
 
I was waiting for this phone as I was due for upgrade last month... When i did some research I noticed the price on international sites being about R15 000 minimum if converting directly to ZAR....never mind getting the phone here.. So i knew the phone will cost this much .... So ended up getting an Iphone5 on CellC for R399/month . 200minutes, 500MB, 200sms's.. and im happy. R709/month for the equivalent is too much.
 
flashsa said:
Sorry,I disagree with your sums....

Smart L is R499pm. Vodacom is charging R709 per month if you select the HTC One.

Difference is R210pm x 24 months = R5040 for the device....
Click to expand...

And you guys think the device price isn't already in that R499pm? It is. R12,000 for 250 minutes of talk time and 500MB of data a month on a network that is already well established?! Bottom line is: you pay for that phone and can just as well buy it outright without a contract and buy airtime and data anywhere you get the best deal ... and save yourself from a 24 month lock-in.
 
flashsa said:
Also, this makes the HTC a fraction under R1500 over 24 months more expensive than Vodacom's S4 offering..... I don't see the justification IMO.
Click to expand...

Thats just plain inaccurate:

Vodacom's S4 offerings:
Option 1 - R419 on Smart S with 3 months free voicemail to sms (worthless imo)
Option 2 - R429 on Smart S with 250mb pm for 6 months + voicemail to sms for 3 months (still worthless)
Option 3 - R499 on Smart M + 250mb for all 24 months

You would have to add 24x and 18x 250mb bundles on options 1 and 2 to get the same quota as on the HTC One deals. That amounts to option 1 costing you R11 472 over 24 months and option 2 costing you R11 358. The HTC One on the Smart S + 24x 250mb pm deal is R449x24 = R10 776, some R582-R696 cheaper than the S4 options. On Smart M + 24x 250MB they are identically priced.

Note I am not saying either is good value, but choosing the S4 over the One because it is cheaper is just plain wrong (unless you get it with another service provider, or unless you are referring to the Smart L or bigger contracts, which are cheaper on the S4, but much better value could be had elsewhere imo)
 
Last edited:
WesleyR said:
Have you ever replaced the battery in your current or previous phone? Everyone is moaning about the non-replaceable battery... Apple guys have lived with it for years and haven't had a problem. I think battery technology has improved substantially since the old Nokia 3310 days, so I really do think that is a moot point?
Click to expand...

Say what? I never had to replace the battery on my old Nokia's. I have a 3310 as an emergency phone in my car and the battery holds charge to this day. My Galaxy S2 OTOH, just over a year in, I;ve had to replace the battery because it can't hold a charge. Thankfully it was easily replaceable and really cheap (about R200 for 2 batteries and a travel charger).
 
WesleyR said:
Have you ever replaced the battery in your current or previous phone? Everyone is moaning about the non-replaceable battery... Apple guys have lived with it for years and haven't had a problem. I think battery technology has improved substantially since the old Nokia 3310 days, so I really do think that is a moot point?
Click to expand...

My Desire HD needs a new battery now, but of course I can't find one anywhere because HTC isn't properly supported in this country.
 
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