Amazon has slashed the price of the HTC One V once again, down to $139.
We last covered the HTC just last week as an attractive alternative to the new iPod touch. At $139, it is less than half the price of the fifth-generation iPod touch, but highly competitive in terms of features and performance.
While the fifth-generation iPod touch has a higher resolution screen, and faster processor, the One V features the open, un-walled Android platform, and includes built-in GPS. And, it’s a prepaid phone, which can be used either unactivated as a Wi-Fi device, or active on Virgin Mobile’s unlimited data plans that start at $35/month.
nThe One V is a cheaper version of HTC’s EVO V, itself a derivative of the HTC One platform/family. The One V, unlike the EVO V, lacks a 4G WiMAX radio. As such, it is more attractive as a Wi-Fi device, or for Virgin Mobile customers in areas where there is not 4G WiMAX coverage. Even with Sprint now owning a majority of Clearwire, it is unlikely that the WiMAX footprint will be expanded… at least, any time soon.
The One V, like the EVO V, ships with Android 4.0. While HTC has said they intend to update the entire HTC One lineup to Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, we caution users to not count on the device being updated to Android 4.1. Virgin Mobile (like T-Mobile USA) has, in the past, refused to pay-for/test/offer generational firmware updates, such as the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update that was offered for the Optimus V by LG.