No, it's plastic. The Inspire and Incredible 2 are metal, the Thunderbolt is plastic all around.

 

Ok if you own the phone and handle it daily, you should know its plastic and not metal.

 

My understanding is that the battery cover is plastic, but the rest is aluminum unibody.

 

It is metal. I have taken one apart.

 

It's made from Unobtainium and unicorn farts.

 

I am holding it right now and it's all plastic on the outside...

 

Its plastic. And the antenna is not built into the battery door. Take the battery off the phone. Where is this antenna?

Edit: Also, when I take the battery door off, the phone does not instantly lose reception, which it should.

 

The antenna is in the door look at the connectors on it. The signal drops when removed but not completely due to big reds tower coverage

 

It's metal. I'm holding one right now.

 

Yes to the OP, It is part metal, and yes the Antenna prongs are inside the battery door.
Why do so many people need to go out of they're way to disagree.

 

Agreed sean76 - The outside frame is metal, the back is plastic ... there would be too much weight and durability issues for all plastic.

 

well...glad that's settled! wait...is it plastic or metal?

 

Do you know what unibody means? Anyone who has any doubt: Take your Thunderbolt into an ATT store and compare it to an Inspire.

 

Don't believe that the unibody is only plastic or metal. It's an aluminum composite thats coated with a thin layer of polyethylene for durability and lasting endurability.

 

Then you got screwed buddy because mine is metal except for the battery door.

 

Here's the antenna locations on the Thunder bolt per the FCC. My question is where the hell is the EVDO antenna?! Is it that little piece of painted conductive material, or is there a copper strip somewhere that I don't see.

 

Well seeing as how there's only one version of the thunderbolt, we all have plastic. End of discussion. If you wanted aluminum, you got the wrong phone. Verizon sucks at requesting certain things out of their phones from the manufacturer. You think Verizon didn't have a say in the battery size? Lack of HTC.com support? Lowest technology of screen display? They didn't ask for a metal body design. Sorry.

 

Not wanting to get into a fight with ANYONE, but MINE clearly appears to be plastic. Wish it WAS aluminum.

 

Mines rubber

 

No need to name call or double-post.

 

Wow people, just wow. Let's not argue for the sake of arguing. So far all the tech sites have stated the tbolt has an aluminum body. Those that believe this to be untrue, find something to support your claim.

 

This thread made my day. Thanks to all you plastic posters.