Nexus One: $199 On January 5th?

[phandroid]

Warning: This is a rumor and ONLY a rumor coming from an anonymous source through AndroidAndMe and should be taken as just that – a rumor.Google is clearly hoping to do some “different” things with the Nexus One Google Phone, especially in terms of altering the status quo in terms of distribution. If their [...]

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[Stormin]

$199 isn't as nice as the $100 rumor. But a CDMA version coming later sounds good to me.

 

[Rix]

$199?... Why is this rumor being given any attention? The HERO goes for

 

[lekky]

YES. Google are going to massively undercut this beast. They want to make some changes to this industry, and making it so damn cheap (in comparison) will be a legendary move.

Its not like google doesn't have the resources to break even or make a loss on each handset. I'm sure the fact that so many people would then have their handset will ofset any loss they will incur on an actual handset.

Its not hard to believe, and I will be getting it straight away.

 

[reznorfan0]

So how are they proposing this thing works? You have to pay carriers to use their towers, so this means what, basically paying verizon/att/whatever on a pay as you go, only you don't have to sign a contract?

 

[hughfitzgerald]

According to the rumor here: Reuters: Nexus One Available Directly Through Google Website January 5 | AndroidGuys

Here’s the price: $199 unlocked in stores. $100 rebate online if you have an active and old Google account. That $100 rebate is either to buy it $99 online from Google’s online phone store, for using on Android Marketplace or for using on any Google Checkout stores. Can also be used for T-Mobile or AT&T pre-paid Data SIM card service at $29 per month, no contracts required.

Google will push full VOIP usage on these, meaning no voice/sms plans needed at any carrier. Voice calls will go through Google Voice on Data SIM cards and will provide unlimited free voice calling. And SMS is replaced by unlimited free Gtalk.

Finally, Google will provide easy roaming data services in other countries. For example, if you go to Europe, you can roam on HSDPA data networks for the same price of 20€ per month, and if you only stay in Europe for a few days you won’t need to pay for the whole month. You may not even need to change the SIM card.

If that's true, then hot damn that will actually be the game-changer that's been hyped up so much. And if Google Voice rolls out a way to port your number (Google Voice’s Secret Weapon: Number Portability), it's pretty much an offer that can't be refused...

 

[Rix]

It's nothing but naive to think this rumor is true... Google will not be giving away phones. When was the last time any company gave away a high quality electronic device?

 

[lekky]

Firstly its not being given away, and secondly the fact is that the handset market already has the big players, google has to do something big if they want to be a big player from day 1, this is something big and definitely doable.

In fact, they are probably hoping for the response you are giving. The "no f%$king chance response. Thats the impact they want to make.

 

[pkts]

Ummm, seeing that it will, at first, be a GSM phone and I JUST left AT&T due to its atrocious network, I couldn't care less about this even if it was true. T-Mobile and AT&T are the same crappy network pretty much. So, when does the CDMA version come out? That's all I care about.

I realize this is the way things go in tech but how long did we wait for good Android phone choices? And then in a space of 6-7 months we get Hero, Droid and now this Nexus? I'm two weeks into trying out a Hero that I love (and I like Sprint's service so far) and now I have to weigh up the pros of a google phone vs the quality of the GSM network in the US.

 

[Rix]

Firstly its not being given away, and secondly the fact is that the handset market already has the big players, google has to do something big if they want to be a big player from day 1, this is something big and definitely doable.

That something big shouldn't be GOING BANKRUPT. The Hero goes for $600. Use your common sense. How can Google POSSIBLY afford to sell them at $200? At an estimate, that's a loss of $700 per phone sold. If you really want to or need to believe that you'll get it for $200 then I guess I'm not going to change that. But you will be upset when you learn the price is closer to $1000 than $100.

 

[trife]

so you can get a data ONLY plan and just use it voip and use gtalk for txt? what about the rest of the planet that still uses text and doesn't even know what gtalk is? can we still communicate?

 

[Mykpfsu]

YES. Google are going to massively undercut this beast. They want to make some changes to this industry, and making it so damn cheap (in comparison) will be a legendary move.

Its not like google doesn't have the resources to break even or make a loss on each handset. I'm sure the fact that so many people would then have their handset will ofset any loss they will incur on an actual handset.

Its not hard to believe, and I will be getting it straight away.

Except from the same source as the Google will subsidize the phone report we get "Now, we have ABC News and Reuters reporting that Google will offer the Nexus One for a reduced price for those who agree to a T-Mobile contract. This would explain the rumored $199 price, but it doesn

 

[Mykpfsu]

According to the rumor here: Reuters: Nexus One Available Directly Through Google Website January 5 | AndroidGuys



If that's true, then hot damn that will actually be the game-changer that's been hyped up so much. And if Google Voice rolls out a way to port your number (Google Voice

 

[hughfitzgerald]

Funny thing is your link says subsidy from Tmobile with contract.

My link was just collecting information from various sources, and both they and I said that the $199 unlocked price tag was from an unverified rumor.

Almost all of this news seems improbable to me, and it will interesting to find out what ends up actually being true. Here's one way everything in this thread could be true: The phone is heavily subsidized by Google down to $199 unlocked, you can get the phone for $100 with Google's rebate, or for free with a T-Mobile contract.

 

[Mykpfsu]

My link was just collecting information from various sources, and both they and I said that the $199 unlocked price tag was from an unverified rumor.

Almost all of this news seems improbable to me, and it will interesting to find out what ends up actually being true. Here's one way everything in this thread could be true: The phone is heavily subsidized by Google down to $199 unlocked, you can get the phone for $100 with Google's rebate, or for free with a T-Mobile contract.

One thing that confused me from your article was "Here

 

[alamoe]

I think all of the "2010 will be a revolutionary year" talk that all the insiders have been going on about is not about the phone, what carrier it will be on, or how it works; it's most likely a reference to the rumored $199 pricing. It would be revolutionary because it would immediately force handset makers to lower prices. I recently read an article in which an analyst predicted that no smartphone would be over $150 in the next year or so; maybe he had an inside scoop on what Google was planning?

 

[Mykpfsu]

I think all of the "2010 will be a revolutionary year" talk that all the insiders have been going on about is not about the phone, what carrier it will be on, or how it works; it's most likely a reference to the rumored $199 pricing. It would be revolutionary because it would immediately force handset makers to lower prices. I recently read an article in which an analyst predicted that no smartphone would be over $150 in the next year or so; maybe he had an inside scoop on what Google was planning?

not really. The phone wont cost $200 to make. Google isn't making the hardware, HTC is and hence Google has to pay HTC. Google or somebody will have to subsidize it. If Google you may need to get ready for advertising on your phone or within your apps. If Tmobile its more of the same.

 

[alamoe]

not really. The phone wont cost $200 to make. Google isn't making the hardware, HTC is and hence Google has to pay HTC. Google or somebody will have to subsidize it. If Google you may need to get ready for advertising on your phone or within your apps. If Tmobile its more of the same.

There are ads in Android apps already. It's really not a big deal to me; besides, if I want to get rid of them "theres an app for that."

 

[jmccarthy14]

I'll take a Porsche for 13 thousand Alex.

 

[Jonnyinter]

Ok, what really gets on my nerves is that all these awesome new phones are ALWAYS released in the US! I know that there are just rumors now but chances are that it will be released in the US and maybe the UK for the first 6 months of it being released and when the rest of the world finally gets it, a new model will be announced.

On the other hand, if this is a worldwide release, then I would pick one up in no time!

 

[reznorfan0]

Ok, what really gets on my nerves is that all these awesome new phones are ALWAYS released in the US! I know that there are just rumors now but chances are that it will be released in the US and maybe the UK for the first 6 months of it being released and when the rest of the world finally gets it, a new model will be announced.

On the other hand, if this is a worldwide release, then I would pick one up in no time!

Don't be too jealous. From the way I understand it, the only way we in the US can get acceptable features is to get a smartphone. Across the pond the carriers allow their dumbphones to do ALOT more stuff, whereas in the US the carriers have the phones gutted of features so they can sell more of their proprietary software that we would otherwise get free.

 

[ari-free]

yeah but everyone wants a smartphone now. focusing on a beefed up dumbphone wasn't such a great long term strategy

 

[Stormin]

I think all of the "2010 will be a revolutionary year" talk that all the insiders have been going on about is not about the phone, what carrier it will be on, or how it works; it's most likely a reference to the rumored $199 pricing. It would be revolutionary because it would immediately force handset makers to lower prices. I recently read an article in which an analyst predicted that no smartphone would be over $150 in the next year or so; maybe he had an inside scoop on what Google was planning?

Google Nexus Phone and iPhone 4G: 2010 Smartphone Forecast : Product Reviews Net

We know that more than 50 new Android handsets will be launched next year, one of those being the Google-branded Nexus One. This will be the first handset to come with Google branding, but we are not sure how much damage this will do with its partners and those 50 Android handsets.

http://www.product-reviews.net/2009...sed-phones-will-fall-to-silly-prices-in-2010/

We have heard a number of rumors that Apple plan to launch the iPhone 4G in 2010, but this will come at a premium. According to PC World, these new Android smartphones will fall to silly prices in 2010, this could certainly persuade users to make the switch to Android.

 

[momoceio]

Heh, might as well stock up on Nexus One accessories

Save on all Google Nexus One accessories at Accessory Geeks. Buy today and save.

 

[cigar3tte]

Why are people so quick to dismiss the $200 price tag. It does not impossible, but it's possible Google is simply doing this to gain market share in the mobile industry.

$700 loss per phone is a bit ridiculous to claim. Also, don't forget that gaming consoles are sold at losses as well (I know, they get it back from software licensing).