I was told by an employee of a local GameStop (aka EB Games) that they will be receiving the Helio Oceans on May 11th. Whether they will be on sale that day or the 12th, I’m not quite clear — but look for them to hit shelves next weekend. Other reports said it would be as early as May 21st, but this is at least a week earlier. You heard it here first guys.
Updated: Further information — I did some sleuthwork on the 10th and have posted this entry also with some more info.
Now, given the response to the information I posted on this blog I discovered that there is a hunger for Helio information, so with that knowledge I’ve launched HelioBase.com.
For what it’s worth I was told that date by the Helio store too. The rep did ‘hmm and haw’ a bit and said that if it wasn’t that exact day then it would be the weekend. So there ya go.
Anyone know how much the ocean will cost WITHOUT signing a contract? I already have Helio and I don’t know what outrageous price they’re going to charge me to upgrade.
it’s $295. no discount for existing customers, no discount to upgrade.
@ Moses & beans
Actually, I just talked to a rep on the phone. Helio is going to offer an upgrade service. You’ll have to send in your current phone, and pay the difference, to get the Ocean. (Talked to the sales department — from the automated main menu: option 4, then option 1 for Ocean specific questions.)
She asked me if I would like to have them call me the morning the Ocean is available for sale, and said I could start the upgrade process then.
Unfortunatly, I asked what the trade-in value for my Drift would be, and she quoted the “new member” price of the phone which is only $145. That’s a $150 difference you’d have to pay if you wanna upgrade from a Drift.
I’m going to see if I can reason with them that if I was to try to purchase another Drift, it would cost me the MSRP $350, and that I’ve already paid the original price of $225. My phone is in perfect condition, maybe (very doubtful, but maybe) I can bargain with them to accept it as at least a $200 value.
Awesome info Ekim, I’m excited about this phone and will be switching to Helio for it.
I just called Helio to ask about the trade-in value of my Drift, and they asked me how long I’ve had it. I told them two months, and they told me I could trade it in for 40 bucks. Hardly seems worth it. Could probably do better holding onto it and selling it on eBay. I don’t believe Helio would give anything close to $150 for it.
Everything I have heard about “slide” phones is that they are easy to break and disjoin in your pocket sometimes making calls.
Basically, what I’m asking is this statement valid? If so, have there been any reports/reviews indicating how this phone may be better?
Also, how does Helio phone service compare to the other companies?
Will I beable to call Helio on the 11th or 12th to order an Ocean?
The folks who have had a hands on with the Helio Ocean all gave it very positive reviews. I haven’t heard any reports of Oceans disjoining and such though I can’t discount them.
Helio service runs on the Sprint network, so if their coverage is good for you Helio service will be good.
As for calling Helio, I think they’re going to be selling on the 21st as reported, I just know GameStop will be receiving them on this Friday.
I’ve had a Drift for several months now, and I’ve had no troubles with it disjoining and making calls. Overall the device has worked really well.
As far as service, HELIO resells a service package made up of Sprint and Verizon networks. The primary service is Sprint’s EVDO 3G network, and the device will “roam” on any Verizon network as 1X service. There are no charges for “roaming” so the transition is pretty seamless, but data access is a little slower. The HELIO package is a great network, essentially offering you the best of Sprint and Verizon without having to deal with either of those mega-companies.
Regardless of price, I intend to upgrade to the Ocean. I’ll keep my Drift too, since HELIO has a nice feature to let you switch active phones on an account easily from their website.
if helio will give you 150 for your device, your better off getting that done, cause you can always go to FYE and they will sell you a new device at the discounted price. i already have both drifts, but will get as much as possible from my white one and then replace it later.
it’s official the helio store in Santa Monica, CA will be receiving the OCEAN tommorrow morning. I know because i work there and we received a fax from coorporate today in the morning.
Babbages(Gamestop) here in Santa Rosa first said it would come Monday the 14th and to call in any time I want to find out when I can pick it up. It’s Wednesday now and they said it should be coming tomorrow at the latest. Let’s hope they’re right.
I’m currently on my dad’s verizon plan and was between getting an enV or getting my own service with Helio with the Ocean. I’ve ready many reviews and watched videos on the Ocean. I think in the end I’ll be much happier with the OCean since it’s more unique.