HTC Sensation XE - Optimum price point in the coming weeks ?

swilliam

I've made the decision to buy the HTC Sensation XE. Since its release the price is fluctuating like the stock market. Amazon have it for £466 (Yesterday evening it was £469) and one of the less positive retailers (Buymobilephones) have it for £449. Ebuyer are not stocking it (yet) and most of the other retailers are still asking the full retail price.

One would imagine Apples iphone 4s priced at £499 may have wobbled HTC's pricing policy a little. But at what point do you think the price of the Sensation XE will stabilise in the coming weeks ?

Note* I appreciate I may get a few posts asking have I considered the sensation, Desire, Mutton Lamb hands free and other such variables. Yes I have- and I want the Sensation XE and only the Sensation XE ...ta

markdavey

TBH, it is not likely to stabilise. Once released, a phone is on borrowed time, within a very short period, it is no longer the most desired handset and as such the price will continue to drop.

The imminent release of Android ICS and the New Nexus handset may also affect the price in a downward direction.

swilliam

markdavey wrote: »

and as such the price will continue to drop.

It's predicting 'that' optimum point in which to buy.

markdavey wrote: »

The imminent release of Android ICS and the New Nexus handset may also affect the price in a downward direction.

When are they due for release ?, although ICS should be an available free upgrade on the XE ( I would have thought)

Edward_Turners_Brother

No point in buying the XE, just get the regular Sensation and turn it into an XE.
ttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098849 (need to add an h)

The XE is just a software modified Sensation no real hardware difference.
Save some cash!

swilliam

Edward_Turners_Brother wrote: »

No point in buying the XE, just get the regular Sensation and turn it into an XE.
ttp://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1098849 (need to add an h)

The XE is just a software modified Sensation no real hardware difference.
Save some cash!

I considered that route, but all the Sensations I've tried have the 'death grip' issue with the wifi. Reports to date, claim the XE is free from that.

I have to admit it was a tempting thought because the Sensation can be had for below £350.

grumbler

Do you know that HTC have recently cut the warranty to 12 months on the sly and were on Watchdog because of the abysmal CS and the backlog of the phones waiting for repair in UK?
I have HTC with 24 months warranty and have not had any problems with it so far, but I'll think twice before buying another HTC phone.

markdavey

swilliam wrote: »

although ICS should be an available free upgrade on the XE ( I would have thought)

Not sure I would bank on that. AFAIK the XE runs 2.3.4 Android which is not even the lastest version released (it is 2.3.7) although not having a device I don't know whether there has been an OTA update or not.

Unless HTC have formally confirmed that the XE will receive an upgrade to ICS, you should bank on sticking with the version you have unless you do some serious playing around with AOSP ROMs and not base your purchasing decision on an upgrade that might happen.

swilliam

Thanks for the thoughts and feedback. Perhaps a re-think is in order. I was aware HTC were having service issues earlier in the year . To be honest, most companies could do with a spot on watchdog - Apple being a prime example; with their current failure to respond to customers concerns over itunes10.5 and IOS 5 screwing up Ipod 4g touch's.

The ICS upgrade is not a major concern for me. But I might wait for Nexus's offering - hmmmm!

swilliam

grumbler wrote: »

Do you know that HTC have recently cut the warranty to 12 months on the sly and were on Watchdog because of the abysmal CS and the backlog of the phones waiting for repair in UK?
I have HTC with 24 months warranty and have not had any problems with it so far, but I'll think twice before buying another HTC phone.

Your post prompted me to have a good dig around and I've decided that HTC no longer fits my needs. I've had a belly full this year of taking corperate companies through the small claims courts. I really dont have the time or engergy to start the process with HTC in the event I require their customer services. Some of the horror stories I've been reading have turned me back towards an iphone (that really is a like the Devil putting a £1 in the church collection box :eek:).

My other alternative is the Samsung galaxy s2, but whats all this pink spot issue about ?

MrMrMr

Well I wanted the XE and no others to! Ive just received it, £450 from buymobilehones.net SIM free.

According to the manual it states 24months, so to me if it states that in the included documentation then thats what it should be!

Where has it said about it changing to 12month warranty?

I've been using iPhones for a few years now, and didn't see the 4S as much of an upgrade over my iPhone 4, sos decided to try Android at least for a year till iPhone 5 comes.

Sensation XE was my choice, I'll be a bit peeved as you say if the XE plummets in price soon, but hey, only live once!

swilliam

andyloc wrote: »

According to the manual it states 24months, so to me if it states that in the included documentation then thats what it should be!

Where has it said about it changing to 12month warranty?

That's a comment from grumbler. Although I have to concur that friends who've recently bought an HTC have only got a 12 month warranty.

It 'may' be this old EU chestnut. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1677034/Two-year-warranty-EU-law.html

The law within the EU offers provision for a two year warranty. But from my understanding it does not apply to the UK. Either way - the warranty is worthless if HTC continue to offer such poor customer service.

I would love the XE. I think its a great phone, but 'if' it requires a repair, I dont fancy getting caught up in HTC's infamous poorly led customer service dept.

The more I read about HTC CS the more I'm put off touching them with 'yours'