Further to our leak the other day, Telstra has confirmed the launch of its new Signature range today, with the announcement of the Telstra Signature Premium device, shown above. The phone is probably worth considering for new and existing Telstra customers, because it gets access to some of Telstra’s newest network features at a fairly reasonable price.
The Telstra Signature Premium supports Voice over WiFi. If you’re at home, or out and about, and you don’t have particularly good mobile signal, but you do have a WiFi connection, then you can make your mobile calls over WiFi instead, using your same mobile number. In fact, you don’t really have to do anything. It just works, and it has seamless handover to the 4G network should you leave WiFi coverage while on a call.The Signature Premium supports the latest in Telstra’s network, including 4GX, which gives you download speeds of up to 100mbps while out and about. Of course, Voice over LTE is also included for quick call setup and higher quality voice calls.
While Telstra haven’t come out and said it, the Signature Premium is very clearly a re-branded HTC One A9, with a few tweaks no doubt to take better advantage of Telstra’s network. They have confirmed the co-development with HTC, though, and it includes the One A9’s features such as HD screen, Dolby Audio Surround and 13MP rear-facing camera with OIS.
Telstra want the Signature Premium to offer the best smartphone features at a great-value price, and so it’s available with a range of Go Mobile plans and Go Business Mobile plans or outright for $648. On a plan, you can grab it at the moment, for $0 on a $70 Go Mobile Plan for 24 months (min cost $1,680).
One can purchase the old model htc A9 16 gigs for A$500 delivered, but Telstra rebadged A9 (old model)@ $648 does represents excellent revenue for Telstra and a stupid brainless buyer.
$648! Not sure this is “great value”