news The nation’s largest telco Telstra has confirmed through a YouTube video posted this morning that it plans to launch HTC’s 4G-capable One XL Android handset on its Next G network, with the smartphone likely to be one of the nation’s top 4G-capable models for some time.
Back in early March, when HTC first unveiled the One line-up, Telstra confirmed it would be launching two handsets in the line-up in Australia, firming suspicions that HTC’s new top-end LTE model, the One XL could be headed to the big T’s flagship Next G 4G mobile network. However, since that time — and despite persistent rumours about a May or June launch for the XL — Telstra has stayed mum on the issue.
However, in a One XL “sneak peek” video briefly posted on YouTube this morning but quickly taken down, Telstra noted: “Telstra customers will soon get their hands on one of the most advanced smartphones to launch in 2012 — the super-thin and ultra-fast 4G-powered HTC One XL.” “HTC One XL is the first smartphone in the acclaimed HTC One series to feature ultra-fast 4G LTE connectivity providing download speeds that are up to five times faster than other HTC One models when in 4G coverage areas,” the description on the video added.
The delay of the One XL handset launch in Australia has left the nation without a really high-end handset supporting Telstra’s new 4G network for some time. The current 4G handsets available through Telstra — notably the HTC Velocity 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G — are largely seen as re-workings of existing handset offerings in Australia rather than examples of the next-generation of handsets available internationally. Optus and Vodafone are already offering the HTC One X, a very similar model to the XL, but the X does not support 4G speeds, and neither Optus nor Vodafone yet have extensive 4G network coverage as Telstra does.
Customers keen to buy the One XL for use on Telstra’s 4G network have for the past several weeks or so had an additional early bird option. Several weeks ago, independent retailer Mobicity started offering Australian customers a version of the HTC One XL which it guarantees works on Telstra’s 4G network. “The HTC One XL X325s has been exclusively tested by MobiCity on Telstra’s new high speed, Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network and has hit astonishing speeds of over 54mbps download and 35mbps upload,” the company’s website stated at the time. “It’s also Telstra Next G compatible, meaning you can take advantage of Telstra’s extensive network coverage and high data speeds in more places.”
It is unclear what prices Telstra will charge for the One XL on its 4G network, but local Android blog Ausdroid has published a rumour stating that the handset could launch on Next G on a $59 monthly plan with monthly handset repayment costs of $6 per month.
opinion/analysis
I’ve been telling friends to hold off on buying new mobile phones for months to see when this beast arrives. The HTC One XL is likely about to be Australia’s best smartphone on Australia’s best mobile phone network — and if the rumours are true — at an awesome price. The Delimiter office is very keen for this one.
Image credit: HTC
just a pity that i still have 12 months left on my existing contract.
hehe I do not suffer from that problem :)
My contract has been expire for 5 months and I’ve been hanging out for and new phone but didn’t want to sign until the new 4g handsets are available.
Ok, seriously Telstra stop it. Just stop it with the teasing. This is getting unbearable. Just RELEASE it already!!
Well well…. I’m eligible to upgrade from 10/06…..
Just so you know, they’re announcing it officially today. Yay! Looks like you’ll get some beats headphones on plan….meh.
http://ausdroid.net/2012/05/28/telstra-to-officially-announce-htc-one-xl-availability-tomorrow/
Now they have waited so long I kind of want an LTE s 3….
Should have continued, 16gb internal Storage without an sd card slot?
Non removable battery?
I like touch wiz, but not that much. Even if I can’t get bigger sizes with an sIII LTE (if they make one) I’ll at least get an Sd slot to expand later. And if I ever want to give it to my dad after I am done with it, the replaceable battery will make him happy. (he goes overseas a lot and always takes 2 batteries for his htc. I think wildfire s…)
Damn the choices. I j use wish they were both out so I could actually make a decision.
True, but you get 25Gb Dropbox and it’s 4G, which the SGS3 almost certainly won’t be :D
Each to their own. I like Sense more anyway
a couple days ago there was a leak of models listed on a samsung support website; it indicated that optus and voda had one model number, Telstra had 2.
The speculation being the two Telstra models were an LTE and non-LTE model.
But it is all speculation.
Telstra’s version of the XL will have 32GB of storage – to my knowledge the only XL variant worldwide which has more than 16GB!
About time we got something decent no one else has in mobiles- we usually get jipped.
And here’s the official media release:
29 May 2012 — Telstra customers will soon get their hands on one of the most advanced smartphones to launch in 2012 – the super-thin and ultra-fast 4G powered HTC One XL.
HTC One XL is available exclusively to Telstra customers and arrives in-store on 5 June or can be pre-ordered from today at telstra.com/htcone.
HTC One XL is the first smartphone in the acclaimed HTC One series to feature ultra-fast 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) connectivity providing download speeds that are up to five times faster than other HTC One models when in 4G coverage areas.
The HTC One XL combines an advanced dual core processor with Google’s latest AndroidTM operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich, to offer remarkably fast web browsing, smooth video playback and effortless multitasking.
Andrew Volard, Director, Telstra Mobile, said HTC One XL would delight Australians waiting to combine ultra-fast web speeds with HTC’s latest generation phones.
“From its elegant polycarbonate body that’s less than 9 millimetres thick through to its 4.7-inch screen, the HTC One XL is exquisitely designed. Add to this the latest Android 4.0 operating software and some of the world’s fastest mobile internet speeds for music and video streaming on the go and it all adds up to one of the most advanced smartphones to launch this year,” Mr. Volard said.
Ben Hodgson, Country Manager, HTC Australia & New Zealand said that HTC was delighted to introduce a 4G model into the HTC One range of smartphones.
“The first thing you notice with the HTC One XL is the stunning industrial design. It’s slim, light and beautifully finished with a tough polycarbonate unibody. The screen display is immaculate, bright and sharp. It’s easy to sync your music from iTunes and other content stores. Beats Audio™ delivers awesome sound quality and the camera shoots the most amazing photos and videos. With ripping speeds and great coverage on Telstra’s 4G and 3G network technologies the HTC One XL is our most complete smartphone to date,” Mr. Hodgson said.
HTC One XL is Telstra’s first smartphone to feature Beats by Dr. Dre™ Audio. The advanced software delivers authentic studio-quality sounds whether a customer is listening to their favorite music, watching YouTube™ or playing a game. HTC One XL also makes it easy to move music and playlists to the phone from a music library via the Sync Manager.
The Camera on the HTC One XL takes only 0.7 seconds from start up to image capture and features a rapid fire continuous shooting mode which lets customers select the best image from up to 99. Owners can also shoot high definition 1080p video and capture high resolution photos at the same time by tapping the screen – they can even capture pictures when playing back video.
Customers using the HTC One XL in 4G coverage areas (over 100 metropolitan and regional locations including all capital city CBDs 5km from the GPO and their associated airports) can access typical download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps and typical upload speeds from 1Mbps to 10Mbps. When outside 4G coverage areas the One XL can access HSPA+ Dual Channel technology to serve up Australia’s fastest 3G speeds so customers can enjoy super-fast 3G download speeds, typical speeds ranging from 1.1Mbps-20Mbps in all capital CBDs and much of the associated metropolitan areas and many regional locations. Outside of these areas the device transitions to Telstra’s fastest available 3G speeds.
Pricing and Pre-Orders
Customers can pre-order HTC One XL from today for shipping of approved orders from 1 June. Pre-orders can be placed by heading to http://www.telstra.com/htcone.
The first 300 customers who pre-order their HTC One XL online will receive a set of Beats™ Solo™ High Performance On-Ear Headphones with ControlTalk™ (valued at $279).
Consumer customers can purchase the HTC One XL on the $59 Freedom® Connect Plan with a $6 handset repayment per month (after using an included MRO Bonus), with $550 worth of included calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 1.5GB of data, all to standard Australian numbers (excludes use overseas) each month. Min cost over 24 months is $1,560.
Business customers can purchase One XL for $0 upfront (after using their MRO bonus) on the $90 Business Mobile Advantage plan for 24 months, which includes unlimited standard national SMS, unlimited MessageBank® diversion and retrieval in Australia, and free national voice calls to eligible mobiles on the same account in Australia. 2GB of data is also included to use in Australia each month, which can be shared with other eligible services on the same account. Min cost over 24 months is $2160.
For details on 4G coverage locations, visit: telstra.com/mobilebbcoverage
Key features include:
· Vivid web browsing on a 4.7 inch Super LCD screen with 1280 x 720 HD resolution
· Sleek polycarbonate unibody design
· Blazing fast Telstra 4G speeds
· 1.5 GHz next generation dual core processor
· 8 megapixel camera with auto focus, smart LED flash, and BSI sensor (for better low-light captures) and 1.3 megapixel front camera (720p for video chat)
· Total storage : 32 GB RAM:1 GB
· 129 grams with battery
· Integrated Beats Audio™ for sound enhancement
· Battery Capacity: 1800 mAh
· Android™ with the latest HTC Sense™
· 1080p HD video recording and 1.3 megapixel front camera (720p for video chat)
· NFC Compatibility
· With the HTC wireless Media Link HD* accessory you can easily share your photos, videos and other content via your TV’s HDMI port.
*HTC Media Link HD is sold separately
About HTC
HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile industry. By putting people at the centre of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones and tablets that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit http://www.htc.com/au/
Check out a video preview of One XL on the Telstra Mobile Network: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kC1XMeDMso&feature=youtu.be
It appears that the pre-order link is no longer active.
The story I got on the phone today was ‘we sold all the stock so we’re not accepting orders any more’.
Go figure!
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