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I cannot for the life of me decide which HTC phone to buy, previously I've had the following:
O2 XDA - Decent at the time
Blackjack II (Samsung) - decent phone
HTC TyTN II - Awesome business platform but too bulky
Nokia E71 - Best of the lot but hated Symbian OS (missed Win Mobile)
I want to buy one of the new HTC phones but I cannot for the life of me decide which one, it needs to last me a good 18 months and something I'll settle with and enjoy everyday I use it, stuff I'll be doing with it:
1. Emails - Googlemail, Microsoft Exchange, Hotmail
2. SMS - Will really need an unlimited SMS contract
3. MMS
4. Decent Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn integration
5. Opera browser
6. Windows Mobile 6.5 (looks great)
7. Live messenger
8. Movies
9. MP3/Music
10. PDF's/Docs/Powerpoint (view only, not much editing)
11. Remote Desktop/Putty in worst case scenario
12. Shared internet
Ok what do you guys think?
Stunno I know you asked in another thread about the TP2, what do you think about it honestly now the novelty has worn off (if it has!)?
I cant imagine the Diamond 2 being up to the task of loads of typing, but I really like the look of it, but the more I look at what I need the TP2 ticks every single one of those boxes.
At the same time I'm loving the look of the HTC Hero (android) and would wait for that if it could also tick the above!
Damn this is hard to choose.
Also what the best place to get this phone in the UK? I was thinking MPD, is it worth phoning Vodafone after I have bought one to try to improve the contract? (I think some of you guys have done it)
But ultimately which damn phone should I buy! lol cheers
Gonna get one ordered tonight hopefully if I can decide.
Doubt you'll get any bad feedback in here about the Rhodium.
As far as I can tell everyone is extremely happy with theirs so far (par the odd faulty unit owners )
By far the best HTC Device I've ever owned (Par my Uni but it's a very close call)
Read through Shingers thread (if you haven't allready), it really is a stunningly impressive work of art, the hardware and OS integration is a first for HTC, the stock Rom is amazing, the screen is bright, vibrant and crystal clear, the keyboard has nicely spaced well sized keys (although not as good as Unis) and the tilt function feels much more solid than the Kaiser.
Forget the Topaz, the Rhodium blows it away
Cheers,
Beasty
I cannot make your decisions for you but my thoughts so far are:
Looking back over my Winmo phones, the one that I remember most fondly is the Wizard (Tmobile Vario). I loved that phone! Don't know why, it was big heavy and slow, but it didn't seem to matter at the time (I was gutted when I dropped it on a concrete floor and shattered the screen)
The TP2 is better in every way than the Wizard, and is the best Winmo phone that I have used, although it isn't perfect yet. I have a Vodafone branded phone and have had a few niggles due to the branding, or rather due to the removal of the branding. Oh and I have other niggle, my email always shows a new email even when there isn't one!
My only criticism would be that it is BIG! Which may be just because I have upgraded from a Diamond, which was tiny. If they could get the screen, keyboard and battery life in the Diamond's form factor I would sell one of my kids for it! (Actually I wouldn't. It would take two of them to get the phone )
I have only tried a few of the applications/uses that you have listed
1. Email, Exchange, Gmail work perfectly
8. Divx TV episodes work fine with Coreplayer
9. Only used the TF3D player and have had no problems at all (I don't mind the stock headphones, I must have funny shaped ears)
I've had a play on the G1 and am not a fan of the OS, yet, it seems thrown together somehow. But then again I'm not a great fan of Linux either for similar reasons
I think my Voda contract worked out cheaper than MPD (although I have the dreaded branding)
My advice?
Go to a Vodafone shop and try one! If you can live with the size then this seems to be the best phone out there at the moment
Really interesting question....
I would add, if you are LUCKY enough to find a shop that has a TP2. I went looking today, and
a) VF Business Centre: No demos, only to order.
b)Orange: No Stock yet although not discrimination tween business and personal customer.
c) T-Mobile - Nothing yet; End of July.
I am also looking for a professional device with very similar reqs to yours. I was looking at the Tytyn11, but took too long over it and so the TP2 seems a logical choice. However it is VERY NEW and it still has s/w compatibility issues like LogMeIn support etc. I have heard some of the issues are related to the high res screen. However, having talked to a number of people the TP2 does seem to be a de facto business device so I am thinking that if I am going to commit to a 24 month contract then I am better off doing it with something like the TP2 which I can grow into as the problems get solved rather than get something that will be obsolete asap.
I have also looked at MPD and fine and dandy if you want a unbranded phone, but the deal is not as good as VF's IMO especially when quidco included. Also I question whether I would get a replacement mobile as quickly from HTC as VF. Perhaps I would ......
And finally the keyboard.... If you need this then that rules out a lot of options. I do.
Just thoughts, and best of luck matey...
Back to my glass of wine in the courtyard enjoying the warm sun go down !!!
Sam
Thanks all
Stunno, appreciate you replying to my questions.
I'm still undecided, I would love to buy the TP2 and get it tomorrow but I'm still not sure, the keyboard is a big deal - I think I'd definately use it heavily, I did with my old TyTN 2.
Yesterday I went to two different Voda shops (business) and none had it in stock, one girl didnt even know what it was (lol).
Right now I'm down to these:
1. iPhone 3GS - bit of a gimmick though and too expensive, but I got to try it and although the functionality looks quite thin (I had an Ipod Touch so the interface novelty wore off) its a nice phone, dont think it will suit my needs.
2. HTC Hero - I like android and what its trying to achieve, I also love Linux (my job) but I do NOT like the way the device is shaped - nightmare in the pocket.
3. HTC Diamond 2 - The more I look at the reviews the more this phone is top of my list, BUT the only issue is the touch keypad, I just think it wont be good enough, I dont know.
4. Samsung Omnia HD - Amazing phone, but not a big fan of Symbian, was almost tempted to buy this until I read about the codec issues with the sound recording and Samsung stance on fixing it.
5. Samsung Omnia Pro - ????
Decisions decisions, so many damn phones!
Final question, did anybody here order from MPD on a Friday (contract) and get the phone saturday???
SuperAdvan said:
Thanks all
Stunno, appreciate you replying to my questions.
I'm still undecided, I would love to buy the TP2 and get it tomorrow but I'm still not sure, the keyboard is a big deal - I think I'd definately use it heavily, I did with my old TyTN 2.
Yesterday I went to two different Voda shops (business) and none had it in stock, one girl didnt even know what it was (lol).
Right now I'm down to these:
1. iPhone 3GS - bit of a gimmick though and too expensive, but I got to try it and although the functionality looks quite thin (I had an Ipod Touch so the interface novelty wore off) its a nice phone, dont think it will suit my needs.
2. HTC Hero - I like android and what its trying to achieve, I also love Linux (my job) but I do NOT like the way the device is shaped - nightmare in the pocket.
3. HTC Diamond 2 - The more I look at the reviews the more this phone is top of my list, BUT the only issue is the touch keypad, I just think it wont be good enough, I dont know.
4. Samsung Omnia HD - Amazing phone, but not a big fan of Symbian, was almost tempted to buy this until I read about the codec issues with the sound recording and Samsung stance on fixing it.
5. Samsung Omnia Pro - ????
Decisions decisions, so many damn phones!
Final question, did anybody here order from MPD on a Friday (contract) and get the phone saturday???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add to the mix - Omnia 2 has started to get some coverage...
Yeah I noticed that too mate, the Omnia Pro?
Coming July, but still, there are many many bugs with the HD version (it maybe Symbian based but...) which puts me off.
I think I am going for the TP2, though my brain is telling me to wait a month or two.
without being device specific what I see is the need for you to do a lot of typing so i would recommend something with a great keyboard. Rhodium certainly has that
SamJolly said:
a) VF Business Centre: No demos, only to order.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To order, yes, but if you call up their upgrade line and be doubtful at them, they'll tell you that if you're not happy with it you can send it back within 7 days with no quibbles... That might only be relevant to current customers mind, and distance selling regs don't apply if you go to a store. I called them up just over a week ago since I was out of contract and had one delivered the next day. A friend got the HTC Magic on the same deal the same day, and another friend has an iPhone so we were able to compare the three phones over a number of days of real use. I kept the TP2... It works well enough, there are a couple of very minor niggles, but most of those are to do with Windows Mobile (and being new to it so expecting things to work in a slightly different way) rather than the phone itself.
Steve.
SuperAdvan said:
Thanks all
Stunno, appreciate you replying to my questions.
I'm still undecided, I would love to buy the TP2 and get it tomorrow but I'm still not sure, the keyboard is a big deal - I think I'd definately use it heavily, I did with my old TyTN 2.
Yesterday I went to two different Voda shops (business) and none had it in stock, one girl didnt even know what it was (lol).
Right now I'm down to these:
1. iPhone 3GS - bit of a gimmick though and too expensive, but I got to try it and although the functionality looks quite thin (I had an Ipod Touch so the interface novelty wore off) its a nice phone, dont think it will suit my needs.
2. HTC Hero - I like android and what its trying to achieve, I also love Linux (my job) but I do NOT like the way the device is shaped - nightmare in the pocket.
3. HTC Diamond 2 - The more I look at the reviews the more this phone is top of my list, BUT the only issue is the touch keypad, I just think it wont be good enough, I dont know.
4. Samsung Omnia HD - Amazing phone, but not a big fan of Symbian, was almost tempted to buy this until I read about the codec issues with the sound recording and Samsung stance on fixing it.
5. Samsung Omnia Pro - ????
Decisions decisions, so many damn phones!
Final question, did anybody here order from MPD on a Friday (contract) and get the phone saturday???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't mention the N97 for some reason. When I was deciding on my upgrade I ended up with a straight choice between the TP2 and the N97 as I had decided that a keyboard was a must.
The TP2 won out because of several points WM being the most obvious (I've had loads of WM phones and am used to it) and Tomtom being the clincher ( I have a shockingly bad sense of direction which, incidentally, has been made much worse by Tomtom but at least I don't get lost now)
If it is down to TP2 v TD2 then it is simply a choice between keyboard v size
There are loads of shops with the TD2 in stock. Give it a go
EDIT: Vodafone gave me 7 days to return the phone if I didn't like it. IIRC Order by 2pm for delivery next day
I just received my TP2 yesterday. I brought it from MPD on payg voda which was £453 - it comes unlocked and unbranded so I chucked my o2 sim right in.
I as well as many others had a tough choise to make - I research everything to death before I buy them, and I have to say on most occasions when I do commit and buy, its a disappointment.
However now using the TP2 it has exceeded all my expectations from all reviews I read and video's I watched (probably 100+).
The stock rom is fantastic, very fluid, very productive and hides nearly all the standard windows mobile interface (only having to see it when using explorer).
I don't expect I can change your mind by this post, but what I will say is that once you actually have it in your hand you will understand why everyone here rants on about it. I compared it to my friends HD last night and the rom beats the HD rom in terms of speed and features, and the quality of the product itself is astounding.
Couple this with the future release of WM6.5, flash 10 for WM in Oct (beta), and HTC Sense release - you have a phone that should last you 18 months - after all, I don't think we will see WM7 on phones till the end of next year, so then is when you can upgrade again.
I haven't tried the TD2 or Samsung HD i900 (or whatever they called it now), but picking between this and the TD2 comes down whether you need a keyboard, or if you like things as small and compact as possible.
Let us know how you get on - keep trying to find a place to try it out
Sounds good - I am very tempted to just pay out for the SIM free as you did since most of the contracts on there incurr extra charge for daily surfing, my existing T-Mobile contract is up for renewal and does NOT incurr extra surfing charges, its also only £22!
I am tempted to renew it and see if I can get a better deal on unlimited texts and buy the phone SIM free from MPD or Expansys.
Definately the Rhodium... or wait for the Omnia Pro
SuperAdvan said:
Sounds good - I am very tempted to just pay out for the SIM free as you did since most of the contracts on there incurr extra charge for daily surfing, my existing T-Mobile contract is up for renewal and does NOT incurr extra surfing charges, its also only £22!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
£450 or so for an unlocked handset equates to a lot of surfing!
My phone was free on 30/month (ex VAT), including 500Mb data which should be enough for my needs
Only downside is a 24 month contract
Steve.
i think htc hd is the best choice for know it has thin body 3.5 mm audio jack good battery bigger screen than all
Getting a new phone at end of August, one that will need to last me two years. I know a phone usually goes out of date within a year but I'd like a phone that will make a decent attempt at staying in, via updates or whatever.
I'm really attracted to the Desire, but it is already 6 months old and I am worried that the hardware is already out of date. Should I get the Desire or should I start looking at some of the newer phones to continue the next two years?
If you think I should look at other phones, please suggest them. I also have my eye on the SGS, but the dev community behind the Desire (and the lack of apparent bugs on it, the SGS is fraught with them) keeps pulling me back to the Desire.
Chances are, there will be an 18 month contract out in August, so it might not be too bad.
Id recommend the Desire, but then again, better Android phones might be out by then so only time can tell.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Hmm, I'd rather stick to a 24 month plan as it is generally cheaper to do so.
Of course, if another amazing phone comes out in the next month then I'd reconsider, but as for now that's unlikely and choice for me is really coming down to the Desire vs the SGS.
I really like the community behind the Desire, and if people are going to stay behind it for a long time to come, I will most probably get the Desire. On the other hand, if the Desire's life is 'coming to an end' with the Desire HD and SGS coming out, and if people think the SGS is the 'next big thing', I might just get the SGS instead.
I think a 24 month plan would leave you stick with the same phone for too long.
1.5 Ghz Snapdragons are scheduled to be released till the end of the year, and dual cores are expected in the first half of next year.
1 Ghz snapdragon is still the high end category, but not for too long.
If you really want the Desire, wait a little more, and you might get one with a super amoled screen.....
Personally, I'd choose one of the new or upcoming droid(s) now.
TerrAme0 said:
If you really want the Desire, wait a little more, and you might get one with a super amoled screen..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There won't be any super amoled Desires, HTC are going to use a SLCD. (or a similar name)
My bad if I've missed more recent news about it since I read that
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
So would you recommend getting the SGS, ride out the bugs and wait for better updates?
I'm still a student and the phone I get will have to last me two years. Unless I win the lottery, of course.
I havent really heard of any new phones that are "Major game changers" recently, Unlike the desire which I had discovered well before it was even called that! I think all the companies have brought out there major hardware for this year anyway, X10, Galaxy S, Desire, Nexus One, Only other thing I can think of is Dell Streak and Motorola's new phone, When ever that comes to the UK if at all judging by the Milestone delay.
Stick with desire IMO
I can't speak for the Desire but I do have an SGS and am fairly happy with it. To me it seams, yes, there are many bugs still and it's far from perfect, and the dev community for SGS isn't so big yet. However, there have been a massive amount sold already and they expect a lot more sales, so that is bound to grow.
Also, it seems Samsung is working their ass off to get things fixed, and are dev-friendly (easy root, APIs, etc) We have new leaked firmwares now every few days. But will it fix everything? I had to face the same decision 3 weeks ago and went SGS.
So what to advise ? I wouldn't at the moment. If the SGS were operating perfectly I would definitely advise it over the Desire (I personally fell for the specs), but such is not the case.
The best advise I can give is, you still have a couple of weeks... postpone the decisions until more information is available, and SGS has had more fixes
Hi, Vodafone do it on 18 month for £35, 600mins, Unlimited txt and 1GB data which isn't half bad! (i think) lol
Chainfire said:
The best advise I can give is, you still have a couple of weeks... postpone the decisions until more information is available, and SGS has had more fixes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input, probably the best I've had in a while. I definitely got that impression about Samsung and how they seem to be acknowledging the dev community. If this is truly the path they are taking and the community is willing to take the bait (why not, it's a great piece of hardware) then the SGS will definitely be a great phone.
I suppose I'll take a break for 3 weeks and reaccess the situation then. My brain is still thinking a LOT about this though and it's hard to shut it off!
Thanks all, though more input is always welcome.
EDIT: Nvm.
HTC Ace
I have the Desire, and it's great. Rumoured HTC Ace (aka HTC Desire HD) coming in October ... bigger screen, more on board storage, HDMI out, same 1Ghz processor.
As much as I love my phone (even more now that it's rooted to Froyo), I would be tempted to hold off a couple of months to see what appears.
so I pretty much decided I'm getting the HTC Desire over the Nexus one, but now with the Desire HD's release about 1 month away I'm debating whether or not to wait.
To be honest I'm in love with the HD's huge screen and looks, but looks alone don't cut it for me. I plan to jump on board the modding/rooting community as soon as I can (just starting out atm) and the Desire is the better choice when it comes to that since its been rooted and messed around with already.
I just worry that I will have to wait a very long time for the Desire HD to be rooted successfully, or it will turnout to be hard to hack and play with like the Nexus one and Desire as I want to try my hand at some hacking myself.
what do you think I should do?
Thanks in advance
EDIT: ok thanks everyone for the replies, I've pretty much decided to go with the Desire. I need a phone I can play around with right away so the Desire would be the better choice. Maybe in the near future when I need a new phone android phones will be more out of the box hacker friendly (hints @ HTC)
If I were you I'd take the HD, but after hTC's stunt with the T-Mobile G2, I'm not so sure at all. If you really want to customise your phone properly, then your best bet would be the Desire.
I'm after the HD now, as i'm a phone whore. So if you want a Desire £230 if you fancy it, unbranded, used but never damaged. Screen mint, phone mint. PM if your interested.
diablous said:
I'm after the HD now, as i'm a phone whore. So if you want a Desire £230 if you fancy it, unbranded, used but never damaged. Screen mint, phone mint. PM if your interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the offer, but i'm still trying to decide between both phones. do post back and tell me how the HD was though
h3llb3nd4 said:
If I were you I'd take the HD, but after hTC's stunt with the T-Mobile G2, I'm not so sure at all. If you really want to customise your phone properly, then your best bet would be the Desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what stunt? and i am leaning more towards the desire at the moment because its more customizable. i'll look around the Desire HD forum for more info, maybe that will help me decide.
ByteFalcon said:
thank you for the offer, but i'm still trying to decide between both phones. do post back and tell me how the HD was though
what stunt? and i am leaning more towards the desire at the moment because its more customizable. i'll look around the Desire HD forum for more info, maybe that will help me decide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here you go
http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/10/06...epair-if-rooted-modding-community-cries-foul/
Desire!
definetly a Desire. A guy at work got one today and i was well jelous until i saw it in the flesh.
The screen is bigger but the resolution isnt much higher than the desire resulting in a big average screen.
Obviously the cloud features are a benifit but no doublt a custom rom will turn up with them on sooner or later.
Aye. supposedly we're going to get the HD sense package for our desires in December too! w00t.
Sent from my HTC Desire - XDA App, rooted and free of market restrictions
I think you should go for Desire. Spending more money just for HD features when your use is mainly for modding - ahhh... doesnt make sense to me
geejayoh said:
... free of market restrictions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, what do you mean by Free of Market Restrictions? (sorry for going offtopic)
I have a Desire and wanted a Desire HD. Until I noticed, it's not the hardware I want. It's the software.
I think the design of the Desire is better.
I also like the physical buttons more. (My mom got a Wildfire, I had using it cause I always accidently hit the capatative buttons).
I think the size is perfect. Sometimes I feel like I wouldn't mind if the Desire was bigger. At other times when using with 1 hand, I find it a bit big.
It's the nw HTC Sense that I noticed I REALLY want. And I'm gonna get that anyway. Officially or modded.
kekkle said:
I have a Desire and wanted a Desire HD. Until I noticed, it's not the hardware I want. It's the software.
I think the design of the Desire is better.
I also like the physical buttons more. (My mom got a Wildfire, I had using it cause I always accidently hit the capatative buttons).
I think the size is perfect. Sometimes I feel like I wouldn't mind if the Desire was bigger. At other times when using with 1 hand, I find it a bit big.
It's the nw HTC Sense that I noticed I REALLY want. And I'm gonna get that anyway. Officially or modded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I share your exact same views, I really wished HTC would make a smaller sized flagship phone...
h3llb3nd4 said:
here you go
(link)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yeah, i heard that this feature was on the motorola Droid, had no idea HTC did that same thing to the G2. While the phone will most likely be sold here unbranded and unlocked, since I got Legend which was exclusively sold by vodaphone unbranded and unlocked, i think it will most likely be a built-in hardware feature regardless of whether or not its exclusive to a certain carrier. that seems to be the on going trend right now with HTC and other manufacturers.
___
at the moment the Desire seems to be the better choice for me, i was considering the HD version based purely on physical looks. after seeing the HD2 in person i loved the huge screen and i thought the Desire HD will be like a buffed up android version of the HD2. i know the Desire will eventually get the updated Sense UI so i have no worries regarding the software.
As for the camera, 5MP is good enough for me when i want to take pictures on the go, otherwise i bring along a real camera with me. I don't think phone cameras are good enough to replace an actual camera just yet.
ByteFalcon said:
so I pretty much decided I'm getting the HTC Desire over the Nexus one, but now with the Desire HD's release about 1 month away I'm debating whether or not to wait.
To be honest I'm in love with the HD's huge screen and looks, but looks alone don't cut it for me. I plan to jump on board the modding/rooting community as soon as I can (just starting out atm) and the Desire is the better choice when it comes to that since its been rooted and messed around with already.
I just worry that I will have to wait a very long time for the Desire HD to be rooted successfully, or it will turnout to be hard to hack and play with like the Nexus one and Desire as I want to try my hand at some hacking myself.
what do you think I should do?
Thanks in advance
EDIT: ok thanks everyone for the replies, I've pretty much decided to go with the Desire. I need a phone I can play around with right away so the Desire would be the better choice. Maybe in the near future when I need a new phone android phones will be more out of the box hacker friendly (hints @ HTC)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to jump on the band wagon here cos im in the same boat, and this thread has thrown a spanner in the works!!
Ive currently got a rooted hero but lack the power from a 1ghz amongst other things....ive played in length with the Desire and genuinely love it, but its knocking on a bit now so am tempted to hold out for the Desire HD as the price is only £100 diff.
What are we saying about the new HD ? Is it likely to going to be a ball ache to do what the desire already does well.....dont get me wrong ill wait for the dev work to catch up but obviously if theres **** hard coded designed to prevent rooting is it gonna be worth it?
also im going unbranded this time....if that makes a difference (aside from the obvious lack of network restrictions!)
I'd suggest wait till the community has successfully rooted the HD, then decide
aww I was gonna go buy the Desire tomorrow, now I can't decide again haha
I can call HTC's distributor here and ask them when exactly the device will release here and how much it will be for. When i was comparing between the Nexus and Desire the price was almost the same but now there is obviously going to be a significant price difference.
I guess for me now it all comes down to the price and customization ability.
I've checked the Desire HD's forums and there seems to be a temporary root solution for it at the moment. Looks like they are still working on it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=812358
Before starting off, I would just like to say I did search for topics similar to this but they were fairly old and dont have much relevance since phones are changing rapidly these days due to roms, updates, firmware etc. So I just wanted to get some advice on what I should do.
I currently have a samsung galaxy s and I have had a few issues with it so im planning on selling it. The phones still functions almost perfectly but there are some issues with my particular phone so lately I was thinking if I should get a DHD instead. I have had my eyes on it from a looooong time even before it was introduced but I didnt get it due to lack of availability, barely any roms and at the time it was around $700-$800 with insane shipping times. So I got the vibrant for $250 and I snatched it up. Now i can get the desire HD for around $450-500 and im thinking if I should make the switch. I just would LOVE the 768mb ram and 4.3 screen and recently I have been using phones with large screens and cant go back to "tiny" 3.5" screens anymore. From my research the only issues with the DHD are camera quality and battery, but it seems to be getting better with newer roms and Im sure soon they will get even better. So are there any other issues which make the DHD not recommendable?
I am also aware that MWC is right around the corner and we will definitely see some crazy dual code, 1080p shooting handsets. But I think many if not all of the good handsets wont be available right away and once available, they will cost a good premium. If the good sets will be available by summer, that would be no good for me since Im thinking of getting rid of my vibrant SOON. Also any other phone alternatives you guys think might be worth checking out. NOTE: I dont keep a phone more than 2-3 months sometimes less or more depending how much I like the handset(had nexus1 for ~5 months, n900 for less than 1 month) so I can always sell the DHD once something very nice is available. Also Im wondering, anyone regret buying the desire hd and wish they had bought a different phone and current dhd owners, any phone you guys have in mind which you are looking to replace the dhd with. thanks so much for your thoughts.
My advice would be to wait. While the desire HD is a fantastic phone, mobile world congress is just around the corner in 3 days now, theres going to be some kick ass announcments about new phones.
I’ve defected from Windows Mobile and the Rhodium over to Android and the HTC Desire Z (code name Vision). About a million years ago (late December, actually) Jackos asked that I write a review/comparison of the device, for which I am happy to oblige. Unfortunately, a newborn baby, holiday travel, and work travel have conspired to delay me from writing such a review. But I’m finally taking the time to fulfill the promise. Jackos thought such a review would be useful for those that are looking to upgrade from the Rhodium, so hopefully that is still relevant. Based on a recent thread, I would think so! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949121
The move to a different OS was certainly something that I’ve been debating for some time. But as we all know (and possibly unwilling to admit), Windows Mobile is outdated and nearing the end of its useful life. Windows Phone 7 so far is a big disappointment to me. The OS seems very limited in many of the same ways the iPhone is, with reviews at various websites and comments by users verifying this notion. One article I read about WP7 was that the OS is not a good choice for power users. Android was looking more and more attractive to me. To me, it carries on the spirit of Windows Mobile in terms of customization. Things are not accessed quite the same way as Windows Mobile (there is no registry), but there is still tons of customizations, mods, and hacks available.
Being the owner of the Tilt (Kaiser) and Tilt2 (Touch Pro 2, Rhodium), I’ve become a big HTC fan, and wanted something similar, with a hardware keyboard. The Desire Z has a very similar form factor to the Rhodium, with a hardware keyboard, nearly the same screen size, and similar dimensions. I found out that Bell Canada released the HTC Desire Z in November, with 3G bands compatible with ATT's network. I decided to take the plunge. Not an easy pill to swallow, as an unlocked, unsubsidized device like this goes for a premium price of around $600 (and obviously not for everyone). But what the heck, its a been a good year, and I decided to get myself a Christmas gift. Of course, if you are in Canada, Europe, or on T-Mobile, you have access to specific versions for those locations and carriers at a much better price.
Let me tell you guys, this device is amazing. The build quality is excellent, the phone feels very high end, with most of the body being a gorgeous brushed aluminum, accented with some slightly grippy/rubbery “soft touch” plastic (also nice looking, and does not cheapen the appearance). The feel of the phone is much nicer, and seems more sturdy then the Rhodium.
The camera is 5MP with a LED flash, and yields somewhat better photos than the Rhodium. The screen is gorgeous. While the iPhone “Retina” and Samsung AMOLED displays get all the hype, the super LCD screen on the Desire Z is still very nice. Direct comparisons I have read rate it only slightly below the quality of the iPhone or Galaxy S displays. Touch response is excellent, and registers multi-touch very well.
Much has been said about this phone’s unique “Z Hinge”. See the Engadget review, if you aren't familiar with the Z-hinge: http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/11/25/htc-desire-z-review/
Some have complained about the phone not staying firmly enough in the keyboard open or closed position, or have expressed concerns of the durability of the hinge. Personally, I like the hinge and how it is designed to open easily with the flick of your thumb. But if you’re in doubt, you might want to play around with it in person before committing to buying the phone.
The keyboard itself is very good. But strangely, not quite as nice as the one on the Touch Pro 2. The the keys are slightly smaller (and one less row of keys), and do not have quite as much “travel” when pressing the keys. It feels like a slight step backward from the Rhodium, but still one of the best keyboards around. Having come from the ATT version of the Rhodium (which replaced the row of numbers with random symbols and punctuations), the missing 4th row of keys is not a big deal. But owners of other Rhodium variants will no doubt miss the number-dedicated row of keys.
Another piece of hardware that is strangely not as good as the Rhodium is the speaker. The speaker on the Desire Z is not quite a loud as on the Rhodium, but the difference is fairly minor, and most people will probably overlook this. The 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome addition, and good riddance to adapters and special headphones that were needed on the Rhodium (at least the GSM version).
At the time of the phone’s release, this was one of the fastest Android phones available (although there is a new generation of dual core Snapdragons coming soon). Don’t be fooled by the fact that the CPU is clocked at 800 MHz. This is a newer generation of Snapdragon than the 1 GHz ones found on phones such as Nexus One and the EVO, with a different fab process and faster GPU also. The Desire Z benchmarks faster than those phones, as well as the Galaxy S, Droid X, and others. The CPU can also be easily overclocked to 1 GHz without over-volting and affecting battery lift; and much higher than that with over-volting.
Battery life seems somewhat shorter on the Desire Z compared to the Rhodium. I was often able to get 2-3 days on a change on my old Tilt2. On the Desire Z, I usually have to charge every night. I can maybe get through a day and a half; but at least a day with all but the heaviest usage. And to be honest, I’m using the phone much more than I did my old Rhodium, so that is a factor as well.
I've played around with Project Android on my trusty old Tilt2, so Android is not completely new to me. It took me a bit getting accustomed to where some things are located, but that is true with switching to any new phone OS. The OS is overall pretty user friendly. It just takes a little while to dedicate to memory where some settings and other things are located. And there is certainly a learning curve once you are ready for customizing/modifying. There is lots of new terminology, process, and tools to learn if you want to “root” (gain super user rights to access system files) and flash a custom ROM, or do other system modifications.
Knocks on Android for not being as "smooth" as the iPhone seem largely unfounded to me. The Desire Z is super smooth, and of course has tons of customization and functionality that the iPhone will never have. And if you coming from Windows Mobile, you are going to be blown away by the smoothness and stability of the OS. The only real performance weakness I’ve seen so far is switching from portrait to landscape on the homescreen, particularly when you have lots of widgets loaded.
Using the phone is a pleasure. Browser rendering is fast, with the stock browser working very well, and Flash enabled. I’ve been previously in denial that capacity touchscreens are a good thing, but multi-touch pinch-to-zoom really does make browsing a joy. Text selection (such as for cut/paste) is aided by a zoom feature that activates with a long touch on text, and also by the optical trackpad (which allows moving the cursor by single characters).
I already keep my contacts, email, and calendar on Google. So the Google integration is awesome for me. I just entered my Google login and password, and it synched all that stuff in a couple minutes. If you are not a Google user, things might be slightly annoying, as the OS will try to steer you toward creating a Google login. Google Navigation is built-in, and will give you point-to -point directions, with audio cues, and first person perspective. It works better than the tools on Windows Mobile such as Google Maps and Bing. It works so well, in fact, that I've often been using Google Nav instead of my Garmin Nuvi GPS unit in the car.
I knew moving to Android would open up a lot of software options, and in this I was not disappointed. There are tons of useful applications and games on the Android Market, and the list is constantly growing. Software developers have embraced Android, which is a refreshing change coming from Windows Mobile. Yes, there is a ton of fluff and junk in the Android Market. But most of the major applications you can think of have a quality Android version.
I’m not a developer. So I can’t comments on the development potential of this device and Android versus Windows Mobile. But so far there is pretty good developer support on the Desire Z. And many have claimed that developers will support this phone for a long time, as they seem to favor devices with a hardware keyboard. There are several stable custom Froyo (Android 2.2) ROMs available, including Sense and non-Sense options, as well as CyanogenMod (a popular and highly customized Android ROM). Gingerbread (Android 2.3, the latest version, just released) ROMs are in the works, with alpha/beta versions already available for testing. Personally, the stock ROM has been so stable and usable for me, I haven’t really been that tempted to flash a custom ROM yet, versus a Windows Phone, where a custom ROM is virtually a necessity.
I’ve babbled on for much too long. In short, if you are looking to upgrade from the Rhodium to something with a similar form factor, the Desire Z is highly recommended. Here’s a quick summary of the Desire Z versus my old Rhodium:
Pros
OS is light years ahead of Windows Mobile (smooth, stable, fast)
Awesome build quality, with a sturdy feel
Better display
3.5 mm headphone jack
Great selection of quality applications
Slightly better camera (5MP) with LED flash
Cons
Keyboard not quite as good
Speaker not quite as good (minor)
Shorter battery life
Z Hinge durability may be an issue
P.S.: If you like the review, please click the "Thanks" button below!
I really appreciated reading this review. I'm a Tilt 2 user, that hasn't found anything new out there to make me want to give up my Rhodium and I have the same feelings regarding Windows 7, so I'm very hesitant to give it a try. Android is completely new to me, but from what I've read, it seems like the natural progression for those of us on Windows Mobile.
I'm on AT&T, so I will keep a watch on this phone if AT&T decides to release their version down the road (but I won't hold my breath ). I've never used unlocked devices either so, unless they come down in price, I won't be experimenting with this model for a while.
Thanks again for posting this. I look forward to reading more about your experiences with this device.
Have fun!
Debbie
Thanks for the review. I enjoyed reading it. Well done, sir!
For a conclusion: Was it worth the money if upgrading from Rhodium?
DebbieNY13 said:
I'm on AT&T, so I will keep a watch on this phone if AT&T decides to release their version down the road (but I won't hold my breath ). I've never used unlocked devices either so, unless they come down in price, I won't be experimenting with this model for a while.
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Click to collapse
Having finally lost iPhone exclusivity, AT&T seems to be starting to release some decent Android devices, such as the HTC Inspire (Desire HD variant). I'm skeptical they would release the Desire Z, but maybe they will release a future HTC device with a QWERTY keyboard. One can only hope.
If the keyboard is not an absolute requirement, the Inspire looks like a very nice phone. Larger display than the Desire Z, 1GHz processor (faster then the Z), and a slightly better camera. I've actually been finding myself using Swype more and more, and the keyboard less and less. So that has me rethinking the whole QWERTY keyboard thing, a little bit. Although I still use it from time to time for longer texts and emails.
BTW, if you like the review, please click the "Thank you" button!
Jackos said:
Thanks for the review. I enjoyed reading it. Well done, sir!
For a conclusion: Was it worth the money if upgrading from Rhodium?
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Click to collapse
You're very welcome.
For me, spending the money was worth it. It was a lot of money to spend on a phone, but I absolutely love it. I tried to stick with WM as long as I could. But everything just works so much better on the Desire Z. I knew it would be a big improvement, but all my expectations were exceeded.
If you are in a market where your carrier offers this phone for a subsidized price, its a no-brainer.
Very nicely written
I have a TP2 now, also considering the Desire Z since it has a (rare these days) hardware keyboard.
Seeing how the DZ performs (especially when overclocked, wow!) does make me feel quite confident it's somewhat future-proof performance wise.
I do love the tilting screen of the TP2 very much, especially when I'm at the computer and using the TP2 for MSN or FB chat or something like that. Like having a miniature laptop
Have you ever missed the tilting screen of the TP2?
When my contract expires next month I can get a free DZ if I extend my contract.
I'll go to the T-Mobile store tomorrow and see if I can play around with one
ericino said:
Very nicely written
I do love the tilting screen of the TP2 very much, especially when I'm at the computer and using the TP2 for MSN or FB chat or something like that. Like having a miniature laptop
Have you ever missed the tilting screen of the TP2?
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Personally, I was finding myself using the tilt feature on the TP2 less and less. Lots of times, I found it easier to just slide the phone open, write a quick text, then close it quickly, without having to mess with tilting the screen up and down. But of course, this is a personal preference.
The only times I've been missing the tilt screen is while watching video. With the TP2, I could tilt the screen up, then place the phone down on a table to watch. HTC should have added a kickstand, like on the Desire HD. It would have been a very easy to add, and super useful.
Perfect review!
I'm also considdering the DZ, and the review almost answered all my question.
But I still have one question: What do you do if you want to navigate without being online?
So if you're abroad and don't want the rediculous roaming costs, how do you navigate?
I now use TomTom really a lot, and I don't know what to use when I switch to the DZ.
TomTom has all the maps on the memory card, is there a good replacement for Android? With regular updates?
ronh said:
Perfect review!
I'm also considdering the DZ, and the review almost answered all my question.
But I still have one question: What do you do if you want to navigate without being online?
So if you're abroad and don't want the rediculous roaming costs, how do you navigate?
I now use TomTom really a lot, and I don't know what to use when I switch to the DZ.
TomTom has all the maps on the memory card, is there a good replacement for Android? With regular updates?
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Click to collapse
There is a paid Android app called Copilot, which is supposed to be pretty good, and does what you want. But I haven't personally used it. There are others, as well.
Also, the Euro version of the Desire Z has a feature of the "new" Sense called HTC Locations, which has a 30-day free trial, than once you pay the monthly fee or buy a lifetime license, you can navigate using maps downloaded to the SD card. Unfortunately, Locations and the Car Panel were removed in the Bell Canada version of the DZ. Likewise, the T-Mobile G2 does not have it, as it is Sense-free. But the feature can be obtained by flashing the stock Euro ROM to either the Bell DZ or the G2. I haven't done this, and I have no idea how well Locations works in the US. But comments by DZ users in the UK and Europe indicate they seem to like it.
i too miss my tilt 2, especially the tilts sliding kb. thats why i come back to these boards every now and again.
i got an evo back in august. i never thought id get another smart phone without a keyboard since i have had the 8125 8525 8925 and tilt2. its been a much easier transition than i thought moving to a phone with a giant screen let alone switching to a different os
almost anything i could do with wm i cant do with android only better. android is way more reliable and the tilt2 was a touch underpowered.
as soon as someone comes out with a 4.3inch lcd with a sliding kb that will be my next phone
off topic, don't believe the hype about the evo battery being weak, i get 24-40 hrs per charge, average is probably around 30 hrs and that's with 2 weather apps, face book, 4 emails accounts and Google searches off and on all day with gps location and blue tooth on. i also have a stock rom, although its rooted.
btw tc excellent read.
oh and as far as gps, i too was curious about the navigation, google nav is the best gps nav app i have ever used, but it does rely on a cell phone data connection, i think it gets enough of the info cached ahead incase you loose signal but if it needs to reroute and you dont have signal you are dead in the water. so i went on to try a few stand alone gps apps and i ended up going with aura, it looks pretty and it works but i dont like it, but its a good backup to have incase i dont pay my bill, lol, or loose signal.
Redpoint i hate to rain on your parade, but i went and seen that you have quite a few threads some of which are here in the Pro Tilt 2 forums regarding this new phone you are in love with, why not go to the forum for that phone ?
here make it easier for you...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=594
Sorry the tilt is a great phone although it is getting dated, but that is no reason for what you are doing ....
F2504x4 said:
Redpoint i hate to rain on your parade, but i went and seen that you have quite a few threads some of which are here in the Pro Tilt 2 forums regarding this new phone you are in love with, why not go to the forum for that phone ?
here make it easier for you...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=594
Sorry the tilt is a great phone although it is getting dated, but that is no reason for what you are doing ....
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I was specifically asked for a comparison between the Touch Pro 2 and the Desire Z; for TP2 owners who may be interested in upgrading. If it was a straight up review of the DZ only, and no mention of the TP2, I would agree with you. But as you can see from reading my review, I make ample comparisons and references to the TP2, so I believe its appropriate here. The DZ is also a very logical upgrade from the TP2 versus just about every other phone on the market, due to its very similar form factor and same manufacturer.
You said I "have quite a few threads" about the DZ. But this is the only thread I started. I posted a reference to this review on 2 other threads started by others. Those threads were started by users looking for an upgrade similar to the TP2, so that actually reinforces my decision that this forum is the correct location for the review/comparison.
I did debate it for a while (of where to post), and your comment is not unreasonable. But I didn't see the Desire Z the best place to post it. The huge majority of the users on the Desire Z/Vision forum already own the phone, and they don't need to see a review for it. If the moderators don't agree with my judgment call, they can move the thread.
And you linked to the forum for the Desire, not the Desire Z. They are completely different phones.
Considering what HTC 7 Pro has become, looks like the Desire Z is the only one phone coming from HTC to replace the TP2. What a pity!
I'll wait until something new comes out to replace my PPC. TP2 still does a great job for me.
Thanks again for the review.
potna said:
i got an evo back in august. i never thought id get another smart phone without a keyboard since i have had the 8125 8525 8925 and tilt2. its been a much easier transition than i thought moving to a phone with a giant screen let alone switching to a different os
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It true, with Swype, I actually find myself using the screen keyboard much more than I would have thought. In fact, for my next phone I may seriously consider one without a hardware keyboard . . . maybe. But I personally can't stand typing on-screen without Swype.
potna said:
oh and as far as gps, i too was curious about the navigation, google nav is the best gps nav app i have ever used, but it does rely on a cell phone data connection, i think it gets enough of the info cached ahead incase you loose signal but if it needs to reroute and you dont have signal you are dead in the water. so i went on to try a few stand alone gps apps and i ended up going with aura, it looks pretty and it works but i dont like it, but its a good backup to have incase i dont pay my bill, lol, or loose signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had that same thought about having a nav program that doesn't need a data connection, so I have a backup in case I am in an area with dodgy coverage, or for foreign use. I might check out something like Copilot, which is only $5 for the US maps (and interestingly $80 for Europe!).
I would like to thank you also for the comparison and ask you about what I haven't read elsewhere.
Is there ability for teleconferencing inDesire Z?
Besides the mentioned problem with the DZ's speaker there were a few times that the feature was (even more than welcome) life-saving while using my rhodium. That, and the Excel files editing.
Also, (a "pro-" feature, not mentioned elsewhere) what about video out?
Am I asking for too much?
Redpoint:
I too have made the upgrade, from TP2 to G2 (Desire Z). Your findings mirror mine almost exactly.
Just in case any one is curious, I'll add my 2 pence.
I still kind of miss the resistive touch screen (think gloves or stylus for precision), but the cap screen is über responsive, and as you said, multi touch is pretty sweet.
I do not miss the complete lack of development of applications for WM. At least at any corporate or popular apps level.
I do miss the great MS Office and Outlook integration. Android does play nice with Exchange, though.
FWIW: Tmo G2's do have a Office compatible suite that should work for docs and xls, but I didn't get a chance to use it. I flashed to a new ROM too fast
I still have the TP2, and will likely futz with it some more, but the G2/DZ is a worthy successor.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
calrification on pro2 vs DZ
Sir/s,
i would like to know if DZ has the following functionalities:
1. exchange sync of email, calendar and contacts.
2. when you download exchange email, is it in html format?
3. can DZ record 2 way voice call? (not via speakerphone)
Above are the features that im frequently using on pro2.