Verizon customer looking for new smart phone...

[mvbighead]

I've done some perusing in this section, and can't seem to find the obvious Droid vs. iPhone4 stuff that I figured would be abundant by now, so figure to ask those in the know.

First and for most, I am not a fanboy of Apple, and for the most part dislike iTunes and almost anything Apple mostly based on the pure snob factor, but... if they make the best phone... they make the best phone.

I find myself being a Googler, so figured a Droid (not sure which one) would be an ideal fit for me, but can't seem to settle on a particular model, and have found arguments swaying more towards iPhone4 instead of Droid (any model).

So I ask you ATOT, if you were in the market for a Verizon smart phone, which would be your top choices? Is there a particular date to wait for to get a 4G phone or new to be released phone that will be better than something purchased now? My buy date is on or after March 8th, so I have some time to get this figured out.

 

[foghorn67]

When the Thunderbolt comes out, give it a shot. See a working store demo and play around with it a bit.
What area are you in? Go to the VZW website and see if you are in LTE (4G) coverage.
Compare it to the iPhone and weigh in on it.
Check out all the Droid phones for that matter. They are all a bit different.

Android vs. iPhone???

Two totally approaches to a smartphone. Both are wonderful devices.
The only thing I would hesitate a bit on is knowing the iPhone 5 is coming in June. Almost a sure thing. What isn't so sure, is what carrier it will be on. Both? Only one first?
Also the successors to the Droid X is immanent. Also the Droid Bionic and the HTC Incredible 2 (or Super, something like that).

 

[KDOG]

I"m in the same boat. Getting ready to get my own account and new phone. I'm considering the Thunderbolt when it finally comes out...


Does the Thunderbolt have a dual-core processor? I can't seem to find out.

 

[rcpratt]

I"m in the same boat. Getting ready to get my own account and new phone. I'm considering the Thunderbolt when it finally comes out...


Does the Thunderbolt have a dual-core processor? I can't seem to find out.

No, it doesn't.

I'd wait until the Thunderbolt (finally) comes out and go play with some phones at the store. I wouldn't buy an iPhone 4 at this point no matter what, but if you like iOS better you can hold out for the 5.

 

[gsaldivar]

If possible, I would wait for dual-core Android and avoid Samsung like the plague.

 

[shortylickens]

In all honesty you will have to try one then the other to decide which you like best. If you are pretty sure you dont want the iPhone, pick that one up first and keep it a week. Cancel service before your trial expires and go for an Android.

 

[Castiel]

Have a droid X and I would dump it in a heartbeat for an I phone if apple didn't mandate a 2 year contract for one. The Droid X2 and thunderbolt are coming. Just be patient

 

[deputc26]

The successor to the Incredible is going to be called the Incredible S. Frankly I wouldn't buy a non dual core phone at this point. I'd wait for the Bionic.

 

[Bman123]

Dont waste your time with the iPhone 4 I played around with one for a while when I jailboke it and it's just a 3gs with a different case and a better screen/resolution. Total waste of money and its yours for 2 years. There is so many android options right now it would be stupid to buy a iturd

 

[boomhower]

Bionic or iPhone 5.

 

[KDOG]

Droid X2? Whats the specs on that one? Will it be 4G/LTE?

 

[s44]

Honestly, the difference between non-smartphone to smartphone is *so* much bigger than the difference between any current smartphones (including the dual-core ones) that you really shouldn't wait more than a month. The Bionic (first dual-core on the horizon) looks to be 3+ months' wait.

Motorola Droid X:
+ Big screen size (4.3"); no significant issues out of the box
- Encrypted bootloader means no custom kernels; no front-facing camera (FFC); big

Samsung Fascinate:
+ Best Android screen (4" Super AMOLED); fastest phone on custom firmware
- Lag and functionality issues if you don't root/flash; no FFC; light (needs case)

HTC Thunderbolt (out this week?):
+ Same nice big screen (4.3" LCD) as X; 4G-capable; FFC
- 4G may kill battery, isn't available everywhere, and may not be unlimited; ridiculous price; big

Apple iPhone4:
+ Small (3.5") but high-res (960*640) screen; nice battery life; FFC
- No Swype, custom launchers, or doing/buying anything Steve doesn't approve; reception issues w/o case

If the Thunderbolt doesn't drop fast in price I'd actually suggest getting a Fascinate, Incredible, or X secondhand (Craigslist! -- just make sure to check for a clean ESN before paying) and saving your upgrade for a Tegra2/OMAP4/Kal-El/whatever multicore. *Especially* if you're not in an early LTE market.

 

[s44]

Droid X2? Whats the specs on that one? Will it be 4G/LTE?

Apparently not. Engadget says it will be basically an overclocked Droid X with more RAM but nothing else new. Considering how crappy an upgrade the Droid 2 was over the original, I believe it.

The only other announced LTE besides the Bionic is, I think, the ugly Samsung i510 (basically a Fascinate with LTE, better screen, and better cameras).

 

[gsaldivar]

I'd actually suggest getting a Fascinate, Incredible, or X secondhand (Craigslist! -- just make sure to check for a clean ESN before paying) and saving your upgrade for a Tegra2/OMAP4/Kal-El/whatever multicore. *Especially* if you're not in an early LTE market.

Good advice.

I wouldn't want to start a 2-year contract on a single core phone right now.

 

[jamesbond007]

I just purchased the iPhone 4 for Verizon and I could not be happier. I was coming from an HTC Touch Pro 2 with Windows Mobile 6.5 so just about anything would be a better replacement. I didn't think I would be an apps kind of guy, but I have to say that there really is everything available for whatever you want to accomplish on it.

I find the Evo and Incredible (the ones my friends have) to be very slow and there is no comparison to the iOS in terms of fluidity when navigating the phone and Internet. The Android OS seems very broken in terms of seamlessness between the applications as well. My friend's Evo footprint is too large for a phone, IMHO.

At the end of the day, the ease of use, HD video, high resolution screen, and sheer speed of the iPhone 4 leaves me smiling each and every day.

 

[Castiel]

Apparently not. Engadget says it will be basically an overclocked Droid X with more RAM but nothing else new. Considering how crappy an upgrade the Droid 2 was over the original, I believe it.

The only other announced LTE besides the Bionic is, I think, the ugly Samsung i510 (basically a Fascinate with LTE, better screen, and better cameras).

I've read it will be a dual core

NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core 1GHz processor
1GB RAM
QHD LCD Display - 540 x 960 Resolution (Same as Motorola Bionic)
3G Only - No LTE/4G
8MP Rear Facing Camera (No Front Cam)
Froyo (Android 2.2) - Could get Gingerbread (Adnroid 2.3) before launch
New Moto Blur (Same as Droid Bionic)
FM Radio
Locked/Encrypted BootLoader
Launch in Q2 of 2011
No Hardware Camera button

 

[KDOG]

Ahh. Just looked up the Droid Bionic. Man, I wish they'd move up that release date!

 

[kaerflog]

Dont waste your time with the iPhone 4 I played around with one for a while when I jailboke it and it's just a 3gs with a different case and a better screen/resolution. Total waste of money and its yours for 2 years. There is so many android options right now it would be stupid to buy a iturd

This is laughable.
Just the better screen/high resolution is worth the change.
- Has camera flash.
- Better battery life.
- Better camera.
- HD recording.
- Front camera.
- Gyroscope
- Better looking phone.

But I woud agree that its not the right time to upgrade.

 

[mvbighead]

So Thunderbolt, Bionic, and iPhone5... hmmm, looks like every phone I should be looking at is another month or more out. At this point, I suppose I would be leaning towards dual core as everyone is suggesting, so it appears the Bionic is what would be the best.

According to http://androidcity.org/?p=1977, the release date is expected to be mid to late April of 2011, so a bit more than a month and a half out. Pretty sure I can live with that. Upon checking the coverage map though, it appears 4g is not yet available in my area (Omaha, NE). So, a question then comes, will the phone simply work in 3G with 4G capability sitting there waiting until it is available in my area? Or will I simply be unable to acquire the phone without a 4G network in my area? I would have to guess that I could still purchase it and simply use it on 3G, but I am not 100% certain, so I'll leave that question open.

I am definitely leaning towards a dual core based phone though, and am still open to further suggestion. I really appreciate everyone's input so far, as I am definitely getting much closer to figuring out what I really should be looking for. Granted, I have not been a smart phone user (Samsung Rogue A960), so this is going to be a major upgrade regardless of the way I go, but I would much rather spend hundreds for a new device than hundreds on something that is not exactly new or cutting edge.

And, before I forget, one last item that I am looking for is the ability to tether the phone for internet use with a laptop. This is not a requirement mind you, but something I would like to be able to do if I am in an area where WiFi isn't available, but phone coverage is. I would prefer to do this with something along the lines of an app like PDAnet (just read about it yesterday) and avoid spending $20 a month for the Verizon mobile hotspot package. Is this something easy to do? And should I expect that the Bionic will be able to do it?

 

[jamesbond007]

And, before I forget, one last item that I am looking for is the ability to tether the phone for internet use with a laptop. This is not a requirement mind you, but something I would like to be able to do if I am in an area where WiFi isn't available, but phone coverage is. I would prefer to do this with something along the lines of an app like PDAnet (just read about it yesterday) and avoid spending $20 a month for the Verizon mobile hotspot package. Is this something easy to do? And should I expect that the Bionic will be able to do it?

I jailbroke my iPhone 4 and installed a program called MyWi. Works well and it was just one fee.

To my knowledge, a 4G/LTE phone will be backwards compatible so if you go from a big city that has 4G service and come to my neck of the woods, which will likely be the last place on the planet to get 4G, it will still operate just fine in 3G mode.

In regards the the iPhone 5, it is tough to say if Apple will indeed release a new one this year and if it will be on one carrier or the other or even both. It's all speculation at this point, but anything can happen and it shouldn't be expected that a 5th generation phone will be released. Of course, I am sure they will come through and likely release one, but 4G is still a very new service and is only available in some areas of the country.

On second thought, the iPad 2 could be the next iteration of the iPhone series!

 

[mvbighead]

I jailbroke my iPhone 4 and installed a program called MyWi. Works well and it was just one fee.

To my knowledge, a 4G/LTE phone will be backwards compatible so if you go from a big city that has 4G service and come to my neck of the woods, which will likely be the last place on the planet to get 4G, it will still operate just fine in 3G mode.

In regards the the iPhone 5, it is tough to say if Apple will indeed release a new one this year and if it will be on one carrier or the other or even both. It's all speculation at this point, but anything can happen and it shouldn't be expected that a 5th generation phone will be released. Of course, I am sure they will come through and likely release one, but 4G is still a very new service and is only available in some areas of the country.

On second thought, the iPad 2 could be the next iteration of the iPhone series!

Definitely good to know. Thanks.

 

[mvbighead]

Just a question for those, given the long wait time, I was wondering what the people of ATOT would suggest I look at (via Craiglist) to get into an older Droid style phone without re-upping my agreement. I very well may be giving the older phone to my wife, or simply re-selling it when a newer phone comes available. So, looking to spend less than $200, what model would you all suggest?

EDIT: I have to admit, I am quite excited about the Bionic, but have an itch to at least get into a Smart phone partially because my wife is in desperate need of a new phone, and would be getting my old phone whenever I upgrade. If I own this phone for 3-6 months and then upgrade, I would either re-sell or upgrade my wife's phone (from the Rogue to the older smart phone) depending on what the contract will look like for the two phones. Thanks!

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Just a question for those, given the long wait time, I was wondering what the people of ATOT would suggest I look at (via Craiglist) to get into an older Droid style phone without re-upping my agreement. I very well may be giving the older phone to my wife, or simply re-selling it when a newer phone comes available. So, looking to spend less than $200, what model would you all suggest?

EDIT: I have to admit, I am quite excited about the Bionic, but have an itch to at least get into a Smart phone partially because my wife is in desperate need of a new phone, and would be getting my old phone whenever I upgrade. If I own this phone for 3-6 months and then upgrade, I would either re-sell or upgrade my wife's phone (from the Rogue to the older smart phone) depending on what the contract will look like for the two phones. Thanks!

Just get the Thunderbolt. It will be out in a week and you'll barely notice the performance difference vs the Bionic. I don't think its worth the hassle to get a CL phone then have to sell for the small performance difference between the phones. But I am probably picking up the Thunderbolt next week so if you really want to go this way I'd sell you my Droid 1.

 

[Castiel]

OP,

Buy a Thunderboilt at BB with a 1 year plan and when the bionic comes out just trade it in.

 

[mvbighead]

Dammit you guys are making this difficult.

I suppose one thing I could do is upgrade to the Thunderbolt, and then give my wife that when the Bionic comes out and her phone is upgrade eligible in November. I may have to do some wheeling and dealing with a Verizon rep to see just how good of a deal I can get as who knows what I am missing.

Decisions, decisions. Personally, I quite like the idea of a dual core phone, as it is easy to see the difference made to desktop PCs. Not sure I want to spend 299 on a phone I plan on upgrading within the year.