Best Buy Keeps HTC ThunderBolt at $249.99 for Longer

Leading retailer Best Buy has just announced that the HTC ThunderBolt, the first 4G LTE-capable Android smartphone on Verizon's airwaves, would remain at the $249.99 contract price tag longer than announced before.

Initially, the company announced that the HTC ThunderBolt would be put on sale at $249.99 only until March 20th, and that it would cost $299 afterwards.

However, in a recent statement, Best Buy said that it would have the smartphone at the initial price tag for much longer.

“Best Buy today confirmed that it will extend the $249.99 pricing for the HTC ThunderBolt 4G beyond the initial March 20 end-date outlined in the original announcement, available at Best Buy Mobile standalone stores and online at www.bestbuy.com/mobile,” the company announced.

“This pricing change reflects Best Buy Mobile’s ongoing commitment to provide the most smart phones under one roof with straightforward pricing, informed advice and someone to be there for the life of your phone.”

The HTC ThunderBolt went on sale at Verizon Wireless on Thursday with a price tag of $249.99 upon the signing of a two-year contract agreement.

As the first LTE-capable smartphone at Big Red, the new device boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, a fast 1GHz application processor, and 8GB of internal memory, complemented by a microSD memory card slot with support for up to 32GB of additional storage space (a 32GB card included in the package).

“Introducing the first 4G LTE smartphone for Verizon Wireless. This isn't your dream phone. It's the one after that. With instant uploads and downloads and a high-resolution 4.3" screen, the ThunderBolt by HTC brings you the future, faster,” the retailer notes on its website.

The smartphone runs under Google's Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, with the HTC Sense user interface loaded on top of it.

The specifications list of this device would include WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS receiver, the whole set of usual sensors, an 8-megapixel camera with HD video recording capabilities, along with front camera for video calling, as well as support for applications available for download via the Android Market.