Telstra snares Android-powered HTC Desire for April launch

HTC’s Android-powered Desire smartphone will make its Aussie debut on Telstra’s Next G network next month with plans starting at $60 per month.

Telstra has brought forward the launch of the HTC Desire Android based smart phone by almost a week: it will be in Telstra stores from today 21 April.

The original HTC Desire is credited with kickstarting the explosive growth of the Android ecosystem in Australia after it launched through Telstra in April 2010. Now HTC and Telstra are trying the same trick again with the launch of the son of Desire. But in a much more crowded smartphone marketplace can they re-kindle the magic? Read on to find out.

Telstra today started selling HTC's new flagship smartphone the Sensation in Australia, pricing the handset at the top of its range, with customers to pay a minimum of $79 a month for the device on a plan.

The nation's largest telco Telstra last night confirmed launch pricing and availability for the mobile phone which many see as the successor to last year's popular HTC Desire.

With smartphone popularity on the rise, Telstra is increasing the included data and credit on some of its most popular Prepaid offers and is launching its cheapest ever Android-powered smartphone.

The first Android smartphone from Sony Ericsson hits Australia later this month on Optus, Telstra, Vodafone and Three, on contract and outright sale.

A minor iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone will soon be making its way to Australian carriers Telstra and Optus with 4G LTE in tow. Dubbed the Galaxy S III 4G, it will be the first LTE-version of the device to launch outside of Korea with the company’s very own quad-core Exynos processor on board.

Telstra today promised customers the long-awaited Android 2.2 update (Froyo) would be introduced to its flagship HTC Desire handsets within the next four weeks.