Need some help picking a phone

[Malak]

I am on Verizon and won't be changing carriers any time soon. I'm looking at smart phones that can act as a mobile hotspot. I like having a physical keyboard, but the Droid X looks pretty sweet. I text more than talk. So I guess I'm stuck between Droid X and Droid 2, or other. I thought I heard comments about Droid X being much better than the Droid 2 but I honestly don't know enough about phones to see a difference besides a keyboard. Anyone handle these phones?

 

[jamesmcuk]

I am in the Uk so the model names may be different but I cannot recommend enough the HTC Desire - Yes the battery sucks like on most smart phones but its just amazing. I believe there is a Desire Z which has a keyboard too.

 

[s44]

Same insides, only real difference is bigger screen vs. hardware keyboard. You'll have to play with Swype and the various Android keyboards on the X to see if you'll miss the hardware one for texting. Try going to a store?

I prefer my Samsung Fascinate to both (the Super AMOLED screen is drool-worthy), but it really needs to be rooted and tweaked for optimum function.

Better phones are coming this year, but it looks like it'll be some months before anything but the iPhone arrives on Verizon. The HTC Thunderbolt may appear before then, but it's basically a Droid X with 4G -- faster, but you may not be able to get an unlimited data plan for it, which given your tethering needs may screw things up.

 

[s44]

I am in the Uk so the model names may be different but I cannot recommend enough the HTC Desire - Yes the battery sucks like on most smart phones but its just amazing. I believe there is a Desire Z which has a keyboard too.

Yeah, but the Droid Incredible (basically the US version of the Desire) has particularly bad battery life even in the category. Lots of nice custom ROM options though.

The Desire Z is supposed to come out here as the HTC Merge, but there's zero point in waiting for that instead of getting the Droid 2.

The Thunderbolt I mentioned is a CDMA/LTE version of the Desire HD.

 

[Bateluer]

OP, I'd be waiting for the rest of their LTE phones they just launched at CES to go on sale, March-May time frame seems what everyone is agreeing on. Even if you don't want one of the LTE phones, the older models are going to get deep sixed. May be able to get one cheaper, or they'll disappear from the market quickly.

 

[Malak]

Where's the best place to find info on the new phones coming?

 

[jamesmcuk]

probably with a google of "Phone specs leaked" with a date limit of 1 month or so.

Other than that in the UK the providers have a page for "Soon to be Released" Phones

 

[Rottie]

Smartphone with physical keyboard? I know...BlackBerry!!!

 

[Raduque]

Smartphone with physical keyboard? I know...BlackBerry!!!

Lol, blackberry. When did they get wifi tethering?

For the OP, I'd get the Droid2 or wait for the verizon variant of the HTC G2/DesireZ if you require a keyboard.

 

[Malak]

Got the droid x, loving it so far. Posting this from the phone