Are you an Android fanatic with your heart set on a beautiful new HTC Hero smartphone? If so, you've got a painfully long wait ahead of you. The Hero isn't coming out in the U.K. for another few weeks, and it'll be months before we see a release across the pond. Unless you choose to order an unlocked Hero now, that is.

Amazon UK now has the Hero available on pre-order for the wince-inducing price of £429.99. It comes unlocked and without a sim card. HTC also threw in a 2GB microSD card and travel charger.

Okay, so the unlocked Hero might be a tad bit on the expensive side for most people. When the Hero actually gets here a lot of people will probably be able to get it for free by signing up for a cell phone plan. T-Mobile and Orange UK are both offering the Hero free with contracts, I don't see any reason for it to be different over here. Ordering an unlocked phone will save you a lot of time, though. Pre-ordered Hero's will ship out on July 15th.