As we already reported this morning, it looks like the HTC One A9 pricing has changed and the initial $399 is only a promo offer. HTC announced the MSRP will go up to $499 in just a few weeks and that’s already going to light a fire under some users. If you think a $100 price hike is something, Sprint seems to think the A9 is worth more and is advertising the device at a whopping $696. That’s pretty much flagship device pricing for not so flagship device specs. Unless Sprint’s site had a placeholder price that never was updated selling a $399 device for nearly $300 more seems like highway robbery.

UPDATE 10/28/2015: A Sprint spokesperson responded to our email with the following statement.

Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

Sprint offers customers many options to purchase the HTC A9 device including Sprint Lease – the most affordable way to obtain a new device. With Sprint Lease customers can get the HTC A9 for $20/month with a 24 month lease. And, they get two months of lease payments on us. Customers also have the choice to pay with installment billing, full retail price or sign a two-year agreement. We are giving customers choices so they can get the device they want in a way that makes the most sense for their pocketbook.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUED

We hope that the listed price for the device is simply an error on Sprint’s part and we’ve reached out to the company for comment. HTC’s website shows the A9 up for pre-order through Sprint for $399 though so if you do plan on buying the A9 from Sprint, we would suggest you use the HTC site to order. In the meantime, we’re curious if any of you have already order the A9 through Sprint and if you indeed did pay the $696 asking price here. Perhaps the promo price is calculated at checkout? Even so, the MSRP shown here is still $197 above the HTC suggested $499 price tag.

Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Facbook and Twitter if you ordered the A9 from Sprint through their website and what you ended up paying.