The only time they try really hard to review an unreleased device is when the new iphone comes out.
I know you're being kind of facetious but...
iPhone 5 release date Sept 21, 2012, review date October 16, 2012
iPhone 4S release date Oct 14, 2011, review date October 31, 2011
iPhone 4 release date June 24, 2010, review date June 30, 2010
Before that, there weren't really reviews of devices. I know Anand gets a bad rep because he prefers iOS, but what you've said just isn't correct.
But in all seriousness, OP, this site has never made it a point to get hardware reviews out before everyone. Odds are, they didn't get a device from HTC to test as well. Also, the mobile phone reviews are coming further and further apart. I kind of have the feeling the editorial staff is trying to decide if they even want to do "reviews" of mobile devices. Just about all the articles since the iPhone 5 launch have been hands on impressions or a hardware analysis or something similar.