UK Vodafone may favor Apple over HTC

Vodafone UK today revealed that it already plans to phase out the HTC HD2. Despite only just recently launching the Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, a spokesman told Electricpig that it won't look to restock the phone after its current supplies run out. The British carrier had "massive" demand and has had to catch up on orders but, unusually, has decided to cut sales short.

No exact reason has been given for the discontinuation, though Vodafone justifies dropping the HD2 by pointing to its iPhone deal and other phone introductions as softening the effect.

"With more coming over the next few months, including the iPhone, we’re confident that we continue to offer the broadest range of devices to our customers," the spokesman explains.

While other factors may play into the decision, it's unusual for carriers to stock a high-end phone for only two to three months before discontinuing it entirely, particularly when the device is well received. The move has already led to suspicions that Vodafone is intentionally discontinuing the phone to avoid drawing too much attention away from its iPhone launch early in 2010.

The HD2 is considered one of the few clear rivals to Apple's smartphone as it's the only Windows Mobile phone to use a capacitive multi-touch screen and has scrapped most of Microsoft's interface in favor of its own more finger-ready designs.

By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, industry, htc, Windows Mobile, Vodafone, mobile phones, Apple