New Samsung, HTC Phones Coming April 10 in US

New phones from Samsung and HTC will be available in U.S. stores starting April 10.

Advance orders for the new HTC One begin Friday, and those customers might receive their phones before April 10. Orders for Samsung’s Galaxy S6 phones start Friday, as well, with delivery expected around April 10.

Phone sizes won’t change. HTC is largely keeping the same design, but improving the camera and personalizing the home screen based on your location. It also promises to replace the phone once if you smash or crack it. Samsung is swapping its plastic back cover for more stylish metal and glass to better compete with the iPhone. It also improved the camera and software interface.

Prices will vary by carrier. No-contract versions generally start at about $650, in line with the iPhone and other high-end devices.

At AT&T, prices for the Galaxy S6 start at $685, paid in installments. A higher-end Edge model, with a display that curves on both sides, starts at $815. The no-contract price for the HTC One is $709.

T-Mobile’s prices work out to $680 for the S6, $780 for the S6 Edge and $650 for the HTC One.

Sprint will lease the S6 phone for free and the S6 Edge for $5 a month to those opting for an $80-a-month Unlimited Plus plan. After two years, though, customers must pay the balance or continue a leasing plan, which costs $20 a month for the S 6 and $25 for the Edge. Without a lease, customers pay $650 for the S6 through Sprint’s Boost Mobile prepaid service. Sprint is leasing the HTC One phone for $20 a month.

Verizon won’t start taking orders until Wednesday, but prices will be cheaper – $600 for the S6 and HTC One and $700 for the Edge. The HTC One will be in Verizon stores on April 10. Verizon didn’t say when its S6 phones will be available.

This article appeared in print in the March 27th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.