Droid Incredible or wait?

[Axon]

Hey all,

Been looking to switch to an Android phone. I'm currently rocking an Iphone 3G, which now feels a little long in the tooth, but more or less gets the job done. The greater speed of the Incredible, the Verizon network, and the HDMI output are features that really appeal to me. The only iphone apps I use are itunes for podcast downloading, safari browser, email, amazon kindle and angry birds.

I wonder, though, since the phone was released in April 2010, if something a little better is coming down the pipe soon? Maybe a refresh? Taking any and all advice. Thanks!

 

[aleckz]

I've been pondering the same thing, but it was more along the lines of should I get the Incredible, Droid X, or wait for something better?

 

[Pliablemoose]

If you're going to get locked into a 2 year contract, I'd go for a Droid X (because of the larger screen), although I'm pretty impressed with my Droid Incredible and recommend it highly...

My biggest bitches are battery life, I get about 10 hours (but use the crap out of my phone, using Set CPU & Kings Kernel) and the keyboard is pretty crappy...

 

[Deeko]

Frankly, other than GPU speed & the obvious physical differences between models (screen size, keyboard or not), there is really very little different from the Droid Incredible, Droid X, and Droid 2, regardless of the Di being 6 months older. If you like the Di's form factor more than the Dx, go with that.

If you can wait, you might want to. I think we'll be seeing some more powerful devices soon, eventually Verizon will get Windows Phone 7 and a new WebOS device too. You can always say that...there's always something better coming. However, in my opinion, things are getting a bit stale, we're at the end of a generation of smartphones, with the next gen starting in early '11.

 

[NutBucket]

Supposedly there's a Droid2 Pro on the way with a faster chip (1.2 or 1.3 GHz). Not sure its worth waiting for. I took the plunge with the free Fascinate last Friday and quite like it.

 

[QueBert]

D2/X have MotoBlur, Samsung's will have TouchWiz, both suck. The Incredible's fast and has Sense. Which is worlds better than stock Android, and kills both TouchWiz & MotoBlur. For that reason alone I'd go with the Incredible.

 

[Axon]

Frankly, other than GPU speed & the obvious physical differences between models (screen size, keyboard or not), there is really very little different from the Droid Incredible, Droid X, and Droid 2, regardless of the Di being 6 months older. If you like the Di's form factor more than the Dx, go with that.

If you can wait, you might want to. I think we'll be seeing some more powerful devices soon, eventually Verizon will get Windows Phone 7 and a new WebOS device too. You can always say that...there's always something better coming. However, in my opinion, things are getting a bit stale, we're at the end of a generation of smartphones, with the next gen starting in early '11.

Yeah, I've got to have the Di form factor. Keyboards are fine, I was weaned on the touchscreen and that's all I know.

My AT&T contract lasts until early December, so maybe rather than breaking it now I'll ride it out and see what pops up then.

 

[Deeko]

D2/X have MotoBlur, Samsung's will have TouchWiz, both suck. The Incredible's fast and has Sense. Which is worlds better than stock Android, and kills both TouchWiz & MotoBlur. For that reason alone I'd go with the Incredible.

The new versions of Blur and TouchWiz, in my opinion, aren't nearly as bad as they used to be. Blur on, say, the Cliq, and TW on the Behold was awful. The new ones are a lot more subtle. I thought TW added some nice stuff to the Epic - I especially liked having the power control stuff in the notification drop down. I haven't used it, but apparently the keyboard included with new Blur phones is awesome.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

at this point i would wait, my verizon contract just expired in sept and that is what im going to do. the incredible has been out a while now and i would expect a refresh in a couple months with faster chips, maybe even dual core. i looked at the fascinate yesterday and it looks really nice and it just came out. it seemed faster than the droids but i still wouldnt get it, especially with a major new android release coming soon that might not work (at least not well) on older phones

 

[Binky]

Waiting for the next big thing never seems to work. Once that thing comes out and you buy it, the next thing comes out and you feel like a double jackass. One jackass for waiting, and one for buying yesterday's tech.

You can't win. Just buy what you think is best when you want it.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The new versions of Blur and TouchWiz, in my opinion, aren't nearly as bad as they used to be. Blur on, say, the Cliq, and TW on the Behold was awful. The new ones are a lot more subtle. I thought TW added some nice stuff to the Epic - I especially liked having the power control stuff in the notification drop down. I haven't used it, but apparently the keyboard included with new Blur phones is awesome.

I agree with this. Plus it is pretty easy to switch to the stock launcher on any Android phone. You'll still have Sense/TouchWiz/Blur flavored apps (usually things like the dialer, contact list, calendar, etc.) but you are not required to use the custom launcher if you don't want to. Launcher Pro and ADW are both good alternatives. My wife and I both use LP - she has an Evo (Sense) and I have an Epic (TouchWiz).

Old TouchWiz sucked hard but new versions aren't bad at all. Widgets are crappy compared to Sense widgets though.

 

[gsaldivar]

The greater speed of the Incredible, the Verizon network, and the HDMI output are features that really appeal to me.

Just a quick note - there is no HDMI output on the DI. It's composite video out, and requires a special cable for that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJyt463AoOA

Good luck!

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Something to consider, these phones are all available unlocked for an outright purchase.

Rather then get stuck in a 2 year contract with a phone that will be obsolete in 6 months, consider buying outright and staying on your contract, and once it's done stick to month to month?

 

[AMDZen]

There's something better out now. Droid X

 

[Deeko]

There's something better out now. Droid X or iPhone4

Seems clear he wants Verizon, and not everyone wants a 4.3" screen. After having the HD2 for almost 7 months, I know I don't.

As I mentioned above, there's very little difference between the high end Android offerings on Verizon right now. Its purely a matter of screen size and keyboard preference at this point.

 

[gsaldivar]

Rather then get stuck in a 2 year contract with a phone that will be obsolete in 6 months, consider buying outright and staying on your contract, and once it's done stick to month to month?

This only really makes sense if you can't strike any kind of purchase discount and/or upgrade deal with your provider for trade-up before the end of your term...

The DI is available from Amazon for $50 + $350 early-termination fee = $400 worst case scenario. You'll be hard pressed to beat that price for a brand new unlocked DI...

 

[boomhower]

This only really makes sense if you can't strike any kind of purchase discount and/or upgrade deal with your provider for trade-up before the end of your term...

The DI is available from Amazon for $50 + $350 early-termination fee = $400 worst case scenario. You'll be hard pressed to beat that price for a brand new unlocked DI...

Amazon has their own early termination fee as well so you need to add that one as well. I am not sure how much it is but it's going to up your cost to where you would probably be better off getting one on ebay.

 

[gsaldivar]

Amazon has their own early termination fee as well

Nope.

 

[YoungGun21]

Honestly, wait til December. There are some big phones (aka Droid T2) coming in that time frame...

 

[Deeko]

Nope.

When you purchase your device with service from Amazon.com, we automatically pass along an instant discount from the carrier to you. This discount has been provided to you based on your agreement to (a) activate a new, or extend an existing, line of service for this device with the carrier, and (b) maintain this service in good standing for a minimum of 181 consecutive days. If you do not activate or extend a line of service in connection with this device, or if your service is canceled/disconnected before 181 consecutive days, Amazon.com will charge you $250 per device, plus applicable taxes.

This policy does not apply to prepaid phones, phones sold without service and Sprint devices.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...8&docId=508597

 

[gsaldivar]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...8&docId=508597

I stand corrected!

Edit: Still not a bad deal though assuming you're in for at least 6 months...

<6mos ETF price: $50 + $350 + $250 = $650
>6mos ETF price: $50 + $350 = $400

The other issue to consider is that VZW may retire unlimited* data plans in the near future. It's unclear whether this will apply only to LTE (4G) or all data (including 3G). While existing subscribers will probably be allowed to keep the terms of their unlimited contracts, new subscribers may find the unlimited option is either priced higher than before or no longer offered as an option.

Good luck!

* Yes, I know 'unlimited' = 5GB/softcap on VZW.

 

[YoungGun21]

I stand corrected!

Edit: Still not a bad deal though assuming you're in for at least 6 months...

<6mos ETF price: $50 + $350 + $250 = $650
>6mos ETF price: $50 + $350 = $400

The other issue to consider is that VZW may retire unlimited* data plans in the near future. It's unclear whether this will apply only to LTE (4G) or all data (including 3G). While existing subscribers will probably be allowed to keep the terms of their unlimited contracts, new subscribers may find the unlimited option is either priced higher than before or no longer offered as an option.

Good luck!

* Yes, I know 'unlimited' = 5GB/softcap on VZW.

For the record, there is no 5GB limit on the plan. That is a misconception that has spread like wildfire. What the terms simply state is that if you go over 5GB, Verizon can monitor your data usage. If they then find that you are doing something that doesn't agree to the terms (tethering, etc), they can terminate you. You can definitely go over 5GB, but honestly, most people don't even get close to it.

 

[uli2000]

Supposedly there's a Droid2 Pro on the way with a faster chip (1.2 or 1.3 GHz). Not sure its worth waiting for. I took the plunge with the free Fascinate last Friday and quite like it.

Eh, don't wait for the Droid Pro. It's hideous. Plus, it's not any faster than the D2 or X.

http://gizmodo.com/5656551/motorola-droid-pro-like-professionals-like-dudes-in-suits

 

[techie81]

I just bought the Incredible via amazon. Amazon seemed like a good deal due to no sales tax and free two day shipping. I also figure it is a good phone that will last me a while. I didn't want the huge screen on the X and I hate Black Berry's ( I'm moving up from a 8830). The early term fee doesn't really bother me since I tend to keep my phones for 1.5 years. Plus Amazon's ETF is before 181 days.

 

[s44]

Incredible over Fascinate at this point? Bizarre.