Bell Mobility HTC Touch $99 No Contract YMMV

[mfpreach]

To all those interested my Touch died yesterday and it was out of contract. I know many still use and love this device, especially with the unlimited mobile browser and customer firmwares, so I decided to post this.

I picked up a no-contract HTC Touch at a Bell World corporate store in Victoria's mayfair mall for $99.

This is a great deal it includes a 1 year manufacturers warranty.
I have also read that this phone CAN now be put on prepaid. (I read this on Howard forums).

So if you need a backup, since these phones die every 8 months or so, or you wanted to change from a dumb phone at a low cost this is a GREAT deal.

I KNOW YOU can buy these used for $50-$75 but this is new.
YMMV as I didn't check any other stores, but the sales rep informed me that they want to clear out the glut of these they have.

G'Luck! :cheesygri

[alanbrenton]

What is a Bell World corporate store and how can we search for these locations?

Thanks.

[Boardman]

Just to be clear - these units are NIB and not reburb's right? If they are NIB and don't require a contract then I'm all over this one like a fat kid on a smartie. Thanks OP!

[ipassgas]

Great little phone at that price.
Be sure to flash NSFAN's ROM. It makes the thing 150 times better. Well worth figuring out how to do it even if you are not a computer geek. There are step by step guides on the net.

[mfpreach]

Just to be clear - these units are NIB and not reburb's right? If they are NIB and don't require a contract then I'm all over this one like a fat kid on a smartie. Thanks OP!

Brand New in Box.
Like I said, it could be local as they wanna get rid of them.
Call your local Bell corp store.
Great deal though as it comes with a charger, new sd card, case , protector etc...

Also if you put custom firmware on (NFSFan) you can tether without bell detecting it so long as you have mobile browser.

[temporary user]

Depending on what plans come up tomorrow, I might get this to use with my current plan.

What are those Bell World corporate store? Any in Montreal?

[NiHaoMa]

this is a cmda phone, would not work on gsm network with sim card right?

[masalma]

I asked four days ago and was told a no contract price was $349+tax, it was one of those Bell islands at the mall. Halifax, NS

[mfpreach]

I asked four days ago and was told a no contract price was $349+tax, it was one of those Bell islands at the mall. Halifax, NS

Maybe it isn't called 'BELL WORLD' anymore, I remember it used to be.
Anyways its just a Bell Corporate store, not a dealer.
Like I said it could be just my local location trying to clear stock.

[MikeMurphy]

I too have an HTC Touch and would recommend it to anyone even remotely geeky.

The beauty of the device is the UNLIMITED DATA for $10mo (used to be $7.50mo) which I do not believe is offered on any other Bell phone.

Add nfsfan rom and its a solid device on the cheap. Has GPS, but is missing wifi if that even matters with unlimited data.

For $99 it seems like a great deal. I would buy another to tide me over until a good Bell Android phone arrives.

[Snowy]

At a guess clear out for the HTC HD2 (The Touch 2), which seems to be due out in the next few weeks :)

[story]

It has always been on prepaid. I got in at $7 a month and there's no more system access fee now.

The bad: minimum refill is $15 for 30 days or $25 for 60 days. So regardless if it's $7 or $11 (w/ system access), I still pay the same amount.

The good: I keep the line suspended until the last day before the line is inactive but Bell will always give me $10 for free to keep me active. Which is good since I already have a good tethering plan with Rogers. I can keep this as a backup until I need to take advantage of free tethering w/ NFSFAN rom

[temporary user]

I too have an HTC Touch and would recommend it to anyone even remotely geeky.

The beauty of the device is the UNLIMITED DATA for $10mo (used to be $7.50mo) which I do not believe is offered on any other Bell phone.

Add nfsfan rom and its a solid device on the cheap. Has GPS, but is missing wifi if that even matters with unlimited data.

For $99 it seems like a great deal. I would buy another to tide me over until a good Bell Android phone arrives.
Unlimited data? I thought this works with the unlimited web browsing option that we have with dumb phones?

[brunes]

Unlimited data? I thought this works with the unlimited web browsing option that we have with dumb phones?

It does except this is a smart phone so you can do ANYTHING, not just web browsing. You can stream video, music, you can get your email, native twitter or facebook apps, anything you want.

This is the only smart phone bell allows on the unlimited web browsing plan. Been rocking mine for a year now and no regrets at all.

[speedway84]

Might pick one up as a spare. I worry what will happen if mine ever gets lost or broken. unlimited mobile 'browsing' is the best :)

[nounou23]

Got all excited... but no go for New Brunswick :)

[Psycho77]

Great little phone at that price.
Be sure to flash NSFAN's ROM. It makes the thing 150 times better. Well worth figuring out how to do it even if you are not a computer geek. There are step by step guides on the net.

NFSFAN, just in case someone google it :)

And yes with Windows Mobile 6.5 instead of 6.1 the new HTC TouchFlow 3D 2.0 etc. It make the device so fast and so great :)

[NeoSlasher]

Bah... all this talk of NFSFan's rom is making me want to give the tethering thing a shot... but last time I tried to do the tethering thing, I failed, and I received a bill for $2000. But I want to tether so badly ._.

Anyways, my touch is in shambles, I'll call up my local Bell World and see if they have the touch for this price. Thanks op!

EDIT: I didn't fail while trying to tether with NFSFan's rom, I tried to tether with some other random app I found.

[story]

PDANET works too. Never got a bill for it.

[charoo]

I too have an HTC Touch and would recommend it to anyone even remotely geeky.

The beauty of the device is the UNLIMITED DATA for $10mo (used to be $7.50mo) which I do not believe is offered on any other Bell phone.

Add nfsfan rom and its a solid device on the cheap. Has GPS, but is missing wifi if that even matters with unlimited data.

For $99 it seems like a great deal. I would buy another to tide me over until a good Bell Android phone arrives.

+1!

Great phone and pretty durable.

When they first came out about three years ago, I had your typical "Windows" issues, but if do the firmware upgrades and if you switch to nfsfan, you are smiling!

I would pick up a replacement at $99 for sure!

OP if you can provide any more info on the place where you bought it, that would be great!

[Fire]

Off topic... Just want to clear before I get one.

I am thinking about to run voip client on it, just wonder when the phone is on ready status, can you get call from voip client? Does the phone active only from the real phone call?

[mjl_toronto]

Too bad it's only CDMA. My GSM Touch broke a year ago and I miss it a lot.

[RedFlagRobot]

Has anyone other than the OP been able to get this deal?

[brainwash]

I called the Markham, Ontario Corporate store and they knew nothing about the Touch clearing (and they had no stock). They also didn't know anything about a new model coming out soon (HTC Touch 2?)

[dmdsoftware2]

EDIT: I didn't fail while trying to tether with NFSFan's rom, I tried to tether with some other random app I found.

That's why you were billed.

I've been using for 2 years, and so have all my co-workers - no charges to date.

[dmdsoftware2]

Off topic... Just want to clear before I get one.

I am thinking about to run voip client on it, just wonder when the phone is on ready status, can you get call from voip client? Does the phone active only from the real phone call?

VOIP doesn't work from the phone itself. Fring never worked. It is blocked at the network level.

[dmdsoftware2]

It has always been on prepaid. I got in at $7 a month and there's no more system access fee now.

The bad: minimum refill is $15 for 30 days or $25 for 60 days. So regardless if it's $7 or $11 (w/ system access), I still pay the same amount.

The good: I keep the line suspended until the last day before the line is inactive but Bell will always give me $10 for free to keep me active. Which is good since I already have a good tethering plan with Rogers. I can keep this as a backup until I need to take advantage of free tethering w/ NFSFAN rom

Problem with the prepaid logic is that they can pull it at any time, like when Bell finally gets their HSPA network up with the iphones, then they will likely pull the prepaid and grandfather the contract pricing. Bell used this phone back when the iphone came out with Rogers to compete with those who wanted a functional web browsing device - $5/$7.50 surf plan vs Roger's $35 data plan.

[underpants]

Called Bell World Burlington (Walker's Line) this morning.

No contract price is $350.

This is a big YMMV.

The mobile browser on this phone is total bargain. I'm still waiting to see if I can pick one up for cheap.

Good luck everyone.

[djino]

PDANET works too. Never got a bill for it.

+1

Been using PDANET since I got the phone in December 2007 with my $7 unlimited mobile browser, never been charged once for tethering.

Had this plan since Day 1 (Dec '07):

$30 Complete 30
- 200 Daytime Minutes
- Evenings/Weekends from 6pm to 8am
- CID/Voicemail/Conference/Call Forwarding Included
- Includes System Access Fees/911
$7 Unlimited Data
$5 250 Outgoing Text / Unlimited Receive

Total is $47 Tax included

djino
":D"

[Boardman]

I asked four days ago and was told a no contract price was $349+tax, it was one of those Bell islands at the mall. Halifax, NS

I believe the kiosk you're talking about is an Alliant kiosk and not a Bell Mobility one. Even though they use the BM network Alliiant won't always honour deals Bell has running. I went through this when I moved from ON to NS and was an ON Bell Mobility customer. Let's just say I'm now a Telus customer and it's all good - nationwide.

[temporary user]

Called a few Espace Bell stores in Montreal and all except one say that the phone is discontinued. The one that still had is in stock (Anjou) was 349$. :(

[mfpreach]

+1!

Great phone and pretty durable.

When they first came out about three years ago, I had your typical "Windows" issues, but if do the firmware upgrades and if you switch to nfsfan, you are smiling!

I would pick up a replacement at $99 for sure!

OP if you can provide any more info on the place where you bought it, that would be great!

II said, I got it at mayfair mall victoria.
I apologize, it must not be system wide, just the manager of that store. Sorry for getting all your hopes up I haven't verified this however it appears this way. :(

[kdub]

I am in Vancouver. I just called the Mayfair mall Bell store , but I only got an answering machine. I left a message and hope they will call me back. I asked if they still have the $99 deal on the Touch phone and whether I can pay shipping and have them ship to me in Vancouver.

[MikeMurphy]

VOIP doesn't work from the phone itself. Fring never worked. It is blocked at the network level.

Skype works on my HTC Touch w/NFSfan rom. The only problem is that its through the speakerphone.

On a side note I visited bell yesterday and fiddled with the Omnia 2. Very cool stuff coming down the pipe, but the HTC Touch is a pinnacle of value.

[Vampslay]

Bah... all this talk of NFSFan's rom is making me want to give the tethering thing a shot... but last time I tried to do the tethering thing, I failed, and I received a bill for $2000. But I want to tether so badly ._.

Anyways, my touch is in shambles, I'll call up my local Bell World and see if they have the touch for this price. Thanks op!

EDIT: I didn't fail while trying to tether with NFSFan's rom, I tried to tether with some other random app I found.

2 questions How do they know your tethering and how would you accumulate a bill that large... I thought there were maximums for data charges

[JAC]

2 questions How do they know your tethering and how would you accumulate a bill that large... I thought there were maximums for data charges

If you tether without a cooked ROM they will know. NSFAN ROM needed.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=525011&highlight=NFSFAN+bell+htc+touch

[champdood]

Crap, I just bought a Telus one of these today. Although it looks like it's very YMMV.

Might have to try this ROM and see if I can move over to Bell anyway, tethering would be great to have!

Also, anyone had any experience installing the ROM + WM6.5 update? Easy enough or a long and grueling process?

[JAC]

Might have to try this ROM and see if I can move over to Bell anyway, tethering would be great to have!

Bell won't authorize a non-Bell phone.

[masalma]

Bell won't authorize a non-Bell phone.

well if you have a Bell ESN for the touch you can change it :P

[JAC]

well if you have a Bell ESN for the touch you can change it :P

LOL, nice. Did not know that.

[migo]

This looks pretty sweet, UBC offers a $17.30 plan that covers my usage with only a 12 month contract, and $100 for the phone with $10/month extra for UMB looks very good.

[wahyinghung]

Pretty good deal probably trying to clearing out these cdma phones and make way for more gsm/hdspa phones

[migo]

well if you have a Bell ESN for the touch you can change it :P

Don't they check the ESN on the back under the battery?

[ytjade]

Crap, I just bought a Telus one of these today. Although it looks like it's very YMMV.

Might have to try this ROM and see if I can move over to Bell anyway, tethering would be great to have!

Also, anyone had any experience installing the ROM + WM6.5 update? Easy enough or a long and grueling process?

Is the telus one at the same price. Do they offer unlimited mobile browse?

thanks

[Azenha]

If you tether without a cooked ROM they will know. NSFAN ROM needed.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=525011&highlight=NFSFAN+bell+htc+touch

Does the NSFAN ROM work with the GSM version of the HTC?

[drunkgoat]

Does the NSFAN ROM work with the GSM version of the HTC?

No. But you may want to check on xda if there is a custom gsm rom for your phone. I think your phone may be called the "elf" or elfin".

[migo]

Is the telus one at the same price. Do they offer unlimited mobile browse?

thanks

No, and no. If the Telus one were at the same price it would be another isolated instance. They temporarily offered unlimited data for $15 but that was unofficial and is no longer available officially or unofficially.

To the other question, yes, there is a ROM for GSM Touch phones as well.

[simoncho]

Thanx OP. I picked up one on Friday at Mayfair Mall in Victoria. Two left.

[toalan]

I would give the phone a 6.5/10, the weakness is in the WinMo OS, build quality and speed is quite good. Once you flash it with the nfsfan firmware and get unlimited data, this phone becomes a 9/10. Bell's coverage is pretty bad, my connection always drops.

[rks]

Hi
I called some stores in calgary and my fiancee called some stores in vancouver. Apparently the price is showing as $349 still :S


Big YYMV

[alanbrenton]

I would give the phone a 6.5/10, the weakness is in the WinMo OS, build quality and speed is quite good. Once you flash it with the nfsfan firmware and get unlimited data, this phone becomes a 9/10. Bell's coverage is pretty bad, my connection always drops.

Toalan, try and upgrade to the 6.5 ROM v1 (Oct 2 release date). I believe you still had 6.1 installed and use Bluetooth to connect. I have rarely experienced drops, maybe once or twice in a month while using the usb connection.

[moturismo]

Which location?

Thanx OP. I picked up one on Friday. Two left.

[simoncho]

This deal is only at the Mayfair Mall Bell store which is located in Victoria. On the receipt it states it is a manger's in store special.

[cityhunter420]

Question.: What other Bell phones use the unlimited mobile browsing like the HTC touch plan?

[couponhunter2009]

Careful with the data plans that they put you with when you get the HTC touch. Just purchased one, was told I was going to get unlimited data included in the contract and bell has now been billing me $35/month for the basic plan including GPS which leaves me to argue with them every month.

[nounou23]

Question.: What other Bell phones use the unlimited mobile browsing like the HTC touch plan?

I think the samsung Instinct and the new samsung Impact :).. i'm thinking of getting the impact.

[migo]

I snagged the last one.

Thanks OP!

[MikeMurphy]

Careful with the data plans that they put you with when you get the HTC touch. Just purchased one, was told I was going to get unlimited data included in the contract and bell has now been billing me $35/month for the basic plan including GPS which leaves me to argue with them every month.

The "plan" they were supposed to put you on was the Unlimited Mobile Browser. GPS is free, unless you ordered the silly Bell Maps program.

This is the only smartphone they allow UMB on, which makes it GREAT, but also prevents you from forwarding the unlimited data onto your next smartphone..

[dmdsoftware2]

I think the samsung Instinct and the new samsung Impact :).. i'm thinking of getting the impact.

Neither allow for tethered data.

[DylanH]

Have been using my original Touch on Telus for the past week because I'm waiting on a replacement Touch Pro 2. It doesn't compare to modern phones but this was a great phone for it's time. I love how light it is compared to the Pro 2.