All of the rumours we’ve seen so far, point to a Sprint (CDMA) release for the HTC Hero handset in the US. Whilst some (minor) modifications may have been expected, we’re completely surprised from news coming out of 8080.net this morning.
The website claims that the CDMA version of the HTC Hero will get a complete physical makeover and lose its distinctive chin in the process. It claims that this is the same phone (Hero200) that the FCC just recently approved for CDMA bands.
We’ve attached a load of pictures after the break so you can have a gander for yourself, but personally I’d be surprised if this were true. In my eyes, this isn’t a Hero but completely different phone. Despite the similarities in technical specifications & UI, if you change the design that much, there’s no way you can market it as the same phone.
Anyway, what do potential US owners of the HTC Hero think of this? Would you be happy if the phone was redesigned? Personally, I quite like the ‘chin’ but I may be in a minority here.
Via Engadget Mobile.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s just not a hero without its chin, I bet it won’t feel as sweet when its sitting in your hand.
I am in the UK and have an HTC Hero, complete with chin, and I would say I agree with the writer of this page. I love the chin! It helps you find your way about on the phone without having to look. This phone looks completely different and IMHO cheaper too. I would be very surprised if this is a US Hero. It is more likely to be a completely different phone.
love the chin
i think the htc hero looks better
NO!
I loved the look of the original Hero. I was looking forward to the chin! This redesign looks like bootleg garbage. The brass looks horrible and what in the world did they do to the poor trackball?
Argh.. They better have beefed up the inside to compensate for what the did on the outside.
Go to http://www.htc.com/us/ and HTC shows the Hero coming to Sprint. It appears to have the chin, but the buttons look more like buttons in the chinless one here.