14 DAY TRIAL // The Android-based HTC Hero is set to make an appearance on Sprint's network as soon as Sunday, October 11, yet it seems that those who cannot wait for the next two days to pass can already purchase the device via Sprint's telesales. However, the carrier is reportedly getting ready to have the phone launched on Sunday, and so does its retail partner, Best Buy.
According to a recent article on HTC Source, the Hero can already be seen at Best Buy stores, yet it won't become generally available for purchase until October 11. However, Best Buy Reward Zone members will have the opportunity to acquire the new device from the retailer starting with today. Moreover, the news site also says that people who already ordered the device will be getting their units starting with October 10, a day earlier than the rest of the world.
The bottom line is that users can already grab the HTC Hero from Sprint and from Best Buy. As many of you might already know, this device is not actually the original Hero that HTC launched a few months ago, but a special edition that will only come to Sprint, at least for the moment (word has it that Verizon too might be interested in having the device).
And when it comes to purchasing the phone, one should know that a two-year contract agreement with Sprint is required. At the same time, we should also note that the contract price of Sprint's Hero has been set at $179.99 with a $100 mail-in rebate and after $50 instant savings when purchased directly from the carrier, and that Best Buy already announced that it would have the phone available for users without the MIR.
Whether one will choose to purchase it from Sprint's channels or will acquire it from Best Buy, the main idea is that a nice and attractive Android-based mobile phone will soon be available on the carrier's airwaves. The HTC Hero is the first mobile phone to come to Sprint with Google's Android operating system on board, yet it is not the only one, as the Samsung Moment (InstinctQ) will soon join the party.