AT&T may discontinue slow-selling HTC Status Facebook phone [updated]

By on Aug 23, 2011 at 6:00 PM
mobile August 23, 2011

AT&T is reportedly considering pulling the HTC Status Facebook phone from its smartphone lineup due to slower than expected sales. The rumor comes by way of TechCrunch, which reports that it has confirmed the Status’ lackluster sales with multiple sources. AT&T is said to be preparing to discontinue the phone after just over a month on the market. AT&T’s HTC Status is an Android-powered QWERTY smartphone with a dedicated Facebook button that simplifies the process of sharing content on the world’s most popular social network. With the wide availability of native Facebook applications on iOS, Android and other popular platforms, however, consumers are seemingly content with other options and aren’t willing to sacrifice screen size for a Facebook button.

UPDATE: An AT&T spokesperson sent BGR the following statement via email: “The HTC Status is a great product and our plans for it to be part of our portfolio haven’t changed.”

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  • Anonymous

    I guess if it doesn’t look like an iPhone they’re not interested.

    • Dextroz Asdj

      actually, that shit has space to install just 3-5 apps and skype video does not support htc status – so it was shiite from the beginning. Poorly designed with little market thought into it. Retards.

      • http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

        Fragmentation……..

    • Anonymous

      It’s more like it has the same problem as the Microsoft Kin.  Great idea… if you can release it for a lot cheaper and with a cheaper plan. 

      The Kin and this phone could’ve sold well if it was offered for like $49.99 on contract and offer a compelling package which would be cheap and include unlimited data for supported apps.  (Yep, you’d have to boot loader lock the phone and then install an updated version of the Android Market which only had provider approved apps and make sure Youtube and Web aren’t one of them).  So if you can offer like 250 anytime minutes, unlimited n/w, unlimited text, unlimited data (remember it only has certain apps enabled) for like $55/month I’m sure a lot of parents will get that for their kids.

      But if you’re gonna be paying $75/month, you might as well just get an iPhone or nicer Android phone.

      • Jay

        That’s one of the smartest commentaries I’ve heard in a while. You’ve hit the nail right on the head. No one is going to pay the same monthly price plans for this phone when they can pay the same for a high end Android or iPhone. The Kin was kind of a neat niche phone, kind of like the first couple generations of sidekicks. The Kin would be a hot seller if Verizon put it on their prepaid unlimited plans for $50 a month.

      • Anonymous

        i totally agree with you, this is the second social phone that has failed and failed miserably, it comes down to cost, why pay the same for this with data, and not get any iphone or android smart phone,, this is a smart, dumb phone that is limited,, i say make the Facebook part of this phone unlimited data usage included with purchase of phone, and then work the smaller data plan for internet etc,,, i mean if that were the case this phone would def sell. unlimited Facebook uploads, text, and messaging,, included in monthly package plan,, thats compelling

  • Kamal Roz

    I could have told AT&T this phone wouldn’t sell.. I wonder how much they pay the geniuses who came up with this idea..

    • Anonymous

      The guys who came up with the idea will probably get a raise, and everyone else will be fired for failing to execute the plan.  That strategy is working real well for RIM.

  • bobc74

    Slow selling? Gee, maybe that’s because the target market for this device is continuously being bombarded by iPhone 5 rumors and speculation. 

    • Anonymous

      And ironically, they’re probably getting all those iPhone 5 rumors and speculation on Facebook.

  • Anonymous

    I guess nobody Liked it.

    • Anonymous

      Hey-o!

  • Anonymous

    There’s no such thing as a slow selling Android phone.  From what I understand Google will buy the phones that don’t seem to connect with people and give them away to the needy. 

    • Anonymous

      Is that how you got your phone?

      • Anonymous

        Yup. One of my 17 android devices.

  • Anonymous

    They should sell it for $10

    • Anonymous

      Why? Most Android phones are free!!!

      • Anonymous

        Hehehe.. you’re right

  • Turnipgreens

    I kind of figure that. Who wants a 1989 calculator as a phone. Facebook can be use on iPhone and all android phones. Thats a butt ugly phone and HTC knows better to make a phone like that and at&t knows better to sell it.

    • Anonymous

      I’m sorry partner but there’s not one single android phone that’s not gorgeous. On the other hand there’s not one single beautiful and/or stunningly gorgeous Apple product.

  • Michael Romeo

    I’m not surprised that it’s not selling.  Other smartphones in it’s price range make the Status look like a lackluster feature phone.

  • Wirelessmodz

    Oh really no more sgs2

  • Robert Turner

    whats with all the shitty beer in the pic?

    • Funnyguy

      Sol is good fucker

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506195779 Bryan Pizzuti

    Hmm, given how many people complain about Android’s lack of a hardware keyboard, I’m surprised this model isn’t selling better, at least to Blackberry refugees. Then again, white is NOT the best color for a mobile, it’s going to look SO dingy after a month or two of use. 

    • Civilgirl7

      I have the phone and have had for a few months and I put a case on it immediately. White wasnt the best choice but it is manageable. I love my Status.

  • Misterhsu

    UPDATE: An AT&T spokesperson sent BGR the following statement via email: “The HTC Status is a great product and our plans for it to be part of our portfolio haven’t changed.”

    … isn’t that what they said about the Touchpad?

  • Xkidace

    In my stores we sell them quite a bit. They might not sell to your typical android users, but they seem to sell well with its target audience (KIDS…)

  • Anonymous

    Shocked!

  • Anonymous

    I’m sorry but the idea of this handset was idiotic. Why would you make a specialized device that is so ugly and have such a small screen. The only thing this handset is good for is Facebook. You’ll pay the same for service as any of the other popular smartphones for a phone with limited usefulness. Or you could just buy one of the other more popular smartphones that are universal and do the same thing. iPhone 3Gs for example for around the same price point with a lot more capability or a Captivate, or a Torch. It was just plain crazy. Or you could just plunk down more on any carrier and get a big 4.3 or 4.5 inch screen dual core monster for the same monthly cost. It’s a no brainer. That’s what happened with the Kin. It’s too late for a limited potential device for the same continual cost as a regular high end smartphone. Consumers are not that stupid.

    This is why OS late with new devices and low app portfolios don’t fare well. Apple knew this and Google and Microsoft have caught on. This is why the two of them are going after developers so bad and Google is buying Motorola, to help cut back on so much fragmentation to keep Android from self-destructing.

  • Anonymous

    It’s a P.O.S. phone.

    • Civilgirl7

      I love mine and I am not a kid. i do use it primarily for texting and facebook. I dont like full touch screens. I hope they dont discontinue it. I think it works great for the money we paid (49.99)

  • http://twitter.com/Translatethis27 Translatethis27

    One funny thing. Samsung Bada outsells Wp7. hohoho

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