The HTC Thunderbolt is the most expensive phone ever built

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Jul 2011 4:23 User comments (8)

According to a teardown from IHS iSuppli, the popular HTC Thunderbolt is the most expensive phone ever built.

The LTE smartphone, when disassembled, has a total cost of $262.

For comparison's sake, the Verizon iPhone 4 has a teardown cost of $171.35.

Please note that teardowns do not take R&D and shipping costs into account.

iSuppli says the most expensive component is the Qualcomm MDM9600 4G LTE chip, which cost $40 per device.

Adds the company:

It remains to be seen whether the next Apple iPhone set for introduction in September will support 4G LTE. However, if it does, two things are clear. First, the iPhone's minuscule printed circuit board (PCB) will have to grow in size in order to support the first-generation LTE baseband processor as well as all the supporting chipset.

Second, the next iPhone's BOM value certainly will increase substantially compared to the iPhone 4 if LTE is implemented in the same manner as in the HTC Thunderbolt.

Qualcomm's second-generation slimmer LTE chipsets will be ready by early 2012.

More details here: iSuppli

Tags: Verizon HTC Smartphone iSuppli thunderbolt

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8 user comments

110.7.2011 23:12

biglo30

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I wish we could actually get phones at that price lol.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 10 Jul 2011 @ 11:18

211.7.2011 00:00

3MUK

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Originally posted by biglo30:
I wish we could actually get phones at that price lol.

lol more like dream

311.7.2011 12:34

hearme0

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2012 Qualcomm chips will be 'quad core' supposedly. Nothing like being able to talk on the phone, while playing a game, while texting and IM'ing all while wiping your ass and driving at the same time. Good GOD! Help us all re-prioritize.

411.7.2011 14:23

adre02

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Originally posted by hearme0:
2012 Qualcomm chips will be 'quad core' supposedly. Nothing like being able to talk on the phone, while playing a game, while texting and IM'ing all while wiping your ass and driving at the same time. Good GOD! Help us all re-prioritize.

On a brighter note, insurance companies will make more money while losing more money paying out death claims....

DISCLAIMER - sarcasm speaks.

511.7.2011 19:54

Azuran

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Originally posted by hearme0:
2012 Qualcomm chips will be 'quad core' supposedly. Nothing like being able to talk on the phone, while playing a game, while texting and IM'ing all while wiping your ass and driving at the same time. Good GOD! Help us all re-prioritize.

Don't worry. Someone will make an app for that.

613.7.2011 22:25

lxhotboy

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I guess since the phone was so expensive that why they put that crappy 1400mah battery in with it. That's all they could afford. LOL..

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 13 Jul 2011 @ 10:28

715.7.2011 08:56

ozdavo

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$40 for the 4g LTE CHIP! Wholesale; in quantities in the millions! They have got to be f$@kin joking!

820.7.2011 06:30

braaad

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hahahaha $265 thats really cheap! our phones over here are from 20-2000 dollars

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The HTC Thunderbolt is the most expensive phone ever built

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