We’ve talked about the HTC Hero coming to Sprint before as the carrier tries to compete against T-Mobile in the Android space. However, news of the new hardware version of the Hero–manufactured by HTC, the once exclusive Windows Mobile partner for Microsoft–has been spotted without the famous curved chin that debuted on the T-Mobile G1, which we had previously reviewed. Since then, the curved chin has appeared on subsequent HTC Android devices, like the Hero and the MyTouch 3G.

While HTC still makes Windows Mobile phones and is still the largest manufacturing partner for Microsoft, the firm has stated that it will grow its Android portfolio to consist of 50% of its phone lineup. The company’s Windows Mobile portfolio for Sprint includes the forthcoming Sprint Touch Pro2 and the Sprint HTC Snap.

The Hero will come to Sprint for $180 on a two-year agreement. The device is coming on October 11th, five days after Microsoft’s launch of Windows Mobile 6.5.

The Sprint HTC Hero, unlike the Hero that was previously released, will be made for CDMA networks. The Hero made a splash into the smartphone scene with its non-stick Teflon coating that ironically offers some degree of grip so that the phone is less slippery.

(via: Engadget Mobile)