The HTC HD2 has been flashing away on our radar since the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5 back in early October, teasing us with its 4.3-inch hi-res touchscreen – and now the Taiwanese mobile phone kings have given up the deets on the UK launch date and price. Read on for the facts…

HTC has revealed that the HTC HD2 will start shipping on the 20th November, with a SIM-free price tag of a whopping £550 (including VAT). That’ll make it one of the priciest smartphones around – although not quite in the same league as the iPhone 3GS, which memorably appeared online in an unlocked, SIM free state for £900 a pop.

For the money the HTC HD2 delivers a 5-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and autofocus, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G for speedy mobile internet and, of course, the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, which will appear here for the first time with a “pinch to zoom” function.

So, would you be willing to part with £550 for the HD2’s huge screen and smartphone capabilities? Let us know in the comments below…