4G Android phone megathread

glennhoffmania

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My Evo is totally crapping out on me now. Randomly shuts down and then says the battery is dead even though it was fully charged after being plugged in for a few hours 5 mins earlier. I need to make it to 7/1 to upgrade. Any reviews on the SIII would be greatly appreciated once you guys get it.
 

I am an Idiot

"Duke"
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Nov 16, 2007
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The Droid 2 was such a lemon of a phone. This is going to be a massive upgrade for you.
Seriously. I got this because my previous phone (Droid X) was having all sorts of problems, and it wasn't worth the hassle. My brother had a droid 2 he never used, so he helped me out and gave me the phone. I've been using it for the better part of the past two years. I hate it with a passion. I can't wait for this new phone. I had a bit of the Smas hysteria, and thought I'd (digitally) sign the contract for the unlimited data before they took that option away. Looks like everything's going to be golden.

Knowing my luck, this phone is going to be worse than the Droid2.
 

jercra

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Jul 31, 2006
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I've had the chance over the past few days play with the new EVO and the phone is great. HTC did a really nice job with Sense this time and Sprint did a nice job making the One X better by adding a Micro SD slot and a kickstand that works for both directions. General UI performance on it is as good as I've ever used. The other big changes they made were to the camera and there is simply no comparing this camera to any other phone camera that I've ever used. If pictures are important to you then this phone can not be beat. The results are very nice but the features and performance are amazing. Pictures are taken nearly instantly and you can even rapid fire shoot any subject with multiple frames a second taken. You can find full reviews online for all of the camera features but I'm fully impressed with it. We'll have to wait and see on the non-removable battery. On just the first charge and still in "hey look at my new phone" mode the phone was at 50% battery remaining at the end of the day. I'm thinking 2 days of steady use on a single charge will be possible. It's only 3G for now until later this fall when Sprint rolls out LTE around here and when it does I can't imagine a much better phone than this one.
 

Zomp

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Let me see if I get this straight?

Verizon is getting rid of unlimited data plans, even for grandfathered in customers? So I better get a phone before they do that, yes? and it looks like the S3 is the best one until after they switch?
 

deconstruction

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Let me see if I get this straight? Verizon is getting rid of unlimited data plans, even for grandfathered in customers? So I better get a phone before they do that, yes? and it looks like the S3 is the best one until after they switch?
Sometime in mid-July is the rumor, yes. So if you want to keep unlimited, upgrade now--right. And S3 is definitely tops for the next several months.

If Verizon's new shared data plans are identical to their current tiered plans ($30/2GB, $50/5GB), then moderate-data users on family plans should actually save money every month. My wife and I use 1-2GB of data/month, but pay $60. I can see us going for the 2GB plan, and even if we went over here or there, it's stil only $10/GB. Obviously, heavy-data users have a tougher decision to make.
 

smastroyin

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Anybody want to put in guesses on how long (if any) Apple will be able to delay the S3?

They are already asking for a preliminary injunction on sales. I believe in IP, but Apple is really working hard to flex their money muscles and become a monopoly here.

In other news, I really wish that they would get some demo units here so I can hold it before I pre-order it.
 

I am an Idiot

"Duke"
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Nov 16, 2007
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I sure hope it's shipped when they say it's going to ship. Why, what's the scuttlebutt? Are they just afraid of competition, or do they have a legitimate gripe?
 

saintnick912

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Bought the HTC One X last night. Seems great so far, the only downsides for me:

- No expansion memory slot, I had a ton of mp3 on my Captivate and had to prune considerable to leave myself some space
- Can't root the current release, so I can't hide/remove all the crapware for now

But compared to the Captivate it's so much faster, the GPS actually works, it doesn't shut off randomly when on a charger, the wifi seems less noodly. and the screen is fantastic all in a package that weighs about the same.
 

teddykgb

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I don't think Apple will get a sales injunction. For the first time with the S3, Samsung stopped shamelessly copying apple's designs, packaging, etc. The IP wars are annoying and shameful, but so has been Samsung's general behavior. Everyone is embarassing themselves as a result, and I think eventually the courts are going to rule as such.
 

smastroyin

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not the first time. the nexus is hardly a shameless copy. o get it with the sII but I don't see it in any other phone.

A very important part of IP law is obviousness (for lack of better term). apple can't sue because the screen has a back light e.g. IMO a lot of the pieces in the previous suits fall into this category.
 

Foulkey Reese

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Software IP is very difficult to sort through, but it's the same beef that got the HTC One X and Evo LTE delayed.

In the Samsung case It's mostly about S-voice vs. Siri.

http://www.digitaltr...ch-in-jeopardy/
I ported S-Voice to my Galaxy Nexus and it was pretty terrible. Not sure if it's any worse than Siri, but I just can't imagine ever using it in a real life situation.
 

teddykgb

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not the first time. the nexus is hardly a shameless copy. o get it with the sII but I don't see it in any other phone.

A very important part of IP law is obviousness (for lack of better term). apple can't sue because the screen has a back light e.g. IMO a lot of the pieces in the previous suits fall into this category.
Here's just one link, but there's a lot of this little shit going on that I think Apple takes exception to. I agree with you that stuff like Galaxy Nexus and even the SII really aren't all that copied, but I think Apple gets kind of tired of what goes on and goes after their flagship stuff just to make it risky for them

http://www.reddit.com/tb/kr14a
 

smastroyin

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i work for a litigious company and certainly understand the strategy. I just get frustrated when Apple does it because people who love the living hell out of Apple tend to be the type of people that hate the hell out of any other company doing all of things that Apple does. My own personal bias. I also happen to think that there is a delicate line in terms of some of this IP between actual invention and just suppressing competition. However, it is clearly in Apple's (and their shareholders) best interests to suppress competition in any legal way. Understanding that doesn't lower my personal frustration.
 

jercra

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Software IP is very difficult to sort through, but it's the same beef that got the HTC One X and Evo LTE delayed.

In the Samsung case It's mostly about S-voice vs. Siri.

http://www.digitaltr...ch-in-jeopardy/
How does Apple have a patent on unified search? Siri does nothing that Google Voice Search hasn't done for longer than Apple has owned Siri. I don't get how S-Voice voilates a patent but Google Voice Search doesn't. I agree with Foulkey, S-Voice is terrible ported to my Note. I do use Google Voice Search extensively while I'm driving though.
 

Trlicek's Whip

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I just pulled the trigger on an S3 preorder. I was at Verizon this weekend with my gf because she had to replace her ancient first gen Droid, which finally kicked. Since I had done due diligence with the help of this thread's intel, I decided (Apple resistance in court or not) to get 'er done.

So thanks to everyone here for contributing and linking to information.

I've had the original Incredible for two years, and after a factory reset a few months ago haven't had much issues with it. I'm not a smartphone power user, so that's never the tiebreak or dealbreak in my selecting phones. Much of the icing on the S3 cake I probably won't even use that much (voice commands, fist bump data sharing, etc). As long as it doesn't embarrass itself through the life of my next two-year contract, or doesn't stop being supported by the latest OS after the first year, I'm happy.

My two years of learning Android UI started with an explosion of app-adding and heavy use, then I got minimalist, which directly tied into my getting an iPad for Christmas. So I've really whittled down, which aligned perfectly with my upgrade credit, Verizon's unlimited data policy "deadline," and this markedly pimped out phone.
 
Jul 10, 2002
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Well, I just got a Samsung Exhibit II 4G with a T-Mobile pay-as-you go plan--$30/month for 100 minutes talk and unlimited text and web (first 5 GB at 4G). I'm still waiting for the phone to charge before activating it. It may not be the best phone out there but the plan makes up for a lot. I won't even use all the 100 minutes of talk.

I forgot to mention that this was a Wal-Mart special.
I've been meaning to ask, how do you like this specific phone? How is app (loading) and web performance?
 

deconstruction

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[quote name='Trlicek's Whip' timestamp='1339436364' post='4185501']
I just pulled the trigger on an S3 preorder.
[/quote]

I just did, as well (VZW). First time purchasing a subsidized smartphone through them (bought my Eris and Fascinate on eBay), but it also might be the last!
 

OldeBeanTowne

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Does anyone have any idea when the SIII demos will be in stores to check out? Will it be before the 28th?
 

smastroyin

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Talk is that June 21 for the Incredible 4G and June 28 for the SIII in stores.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
Talk is that June 21 for the Incredible 4G and June 28 for the SIII in stores.
Techland seems to sum up what most are saying about the I4:

"There’s nothing cutting-edge about HTC’s Droid Incredible 4G LTE, a smartphone that’s coming to Verizon Wireless in a few weeks. Yet the new Droid Incredible might become one of Verizon’s most desirable phones, simply because you can hold it comfortably in one hand."

They're boxy, but they're good......



 

smastroyin

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[quote name='Omar's Wacky Neighbor' timestamp='1339842797' post='4193288']
They're boxy, but they're good......
[/quote]

Nice!
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
VZW Siii possibly pushed back a day to July 10. At first it was thought that VZW had maxed out their pre-orders for the July 9, and anyone ordering now would be getting the second batch they release the next day, but a number of websites have shot that down and are claiming that July 10 is the new release day for even the earliest of pre-orders.
 

smastroyin

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I was all set to wait until october/november for a phone but now that I have preordered even that day delay irks me.
 

OldeBeanTowne

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It looks like Sprint and T-Mobile should have the SIII in stores on the 21st. At least that's what I've been seeing reported in multiple places. I'm planning on checking it out in person then and placing my pre-order with Verizon soon after if it's not too damn big! That's the only real concern I have coming from the original Incredible, but I'm thinking I'll be able to get used to it.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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Ok, we upgraded the kids phones on our Verizon plan a month ago and the sales rep has pissed off my wife for lying about a couple of things. The details are irrelevant, we've got a mad bitch at this point.

She wants to switch our 2 phones (hers/mine) from Verizon to TMobile. My guess is some other mad bitch she works with has TM and is in her ear. I could give two shits about the lying salesman, the phone plan, etc. I've had a HTC Incredible on Vz for 26 months and its been fine.

I've got a handle on the phones at or coming to Verizon, what about TM phones. Anything over there that won't completely piss me off if I let her switch?

FWIW TM has 4G at/around our house....Verizon's 4G stops a few miles down the road. What is it with this TM 42 mbps? Is it real 4G or just something close?

Thanks in advance
 

TallerThanPedroia

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Jul 19, 2005
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Are I and that reviewer the only people who like physical camera buttons? I love it on my Droid X but they seem to have gone away. How do people take pictures with one hand with onscreen buttons?

edit: I know it's possible, I don't have weird hands or anything. But like I was at a parade recently and the physical button made it so much easier to just hold the camera up high and snap away.
 

smastroyin

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If it's better than the Nexus, which is already fine, then it will be good. The problem is that in side by side stuff they have to pick discerning features. Of course I say that without having seen it.

I probably would have gone One X if I had better experience with AT&T's network and if AT&T didn't cost me more than VZW (their plans are similar and I get a company discount on VZW) It does have the nicest screen. However, I am encouraged to hear all of the great reviews of the S3 camera (despite no button) because I rarely carry my point and shoot camera anymore and it would be nice to get slightly better photos off of the phone than I get with the X.

I will say that the dedicated camera button negative experience that I have is with my armband, since noone makes one large enough for these phones, and putting the phone in or out of it I inevitably go into camera, which can be annoying. This would be solved if someone would make some accessories that actually worked with these phones, so I'm hoping that happens if this thing sells enough.
 

Trlicek's Whip

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The knocks on the screen and S Voice Fail are non-starters for me.

The CNET review mentions the dark screen but then reveals a "lol boo hoo" moment:

Even when I changed system settings to full blast, the browser remained dimmer until I changed its individual brightness setting. In general, I appreciate Samsung's power-saving checks and balances, but checking settings throughout the phone was confusing.
Big deal. It's a new phone, you can tweak visibility, and in a few days this isn't confusing anymore. The Gizmodo review also bitched that while they were navigating in the car the sun on the screen made it unreadable. Like, say, 90% of phones that have direct sunlight bouncing off them.

As for S Voice, that's definitely not a feature I'd be using even if it was Siri and I was an iPhone user. Other people's mileage may vary, but to me voice commands are as novelty as calling from an airplane phone just to validate to your friend you're calling from an airplane phone.
 

glennhoffmania

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Have you checked out the Evo yet? I keep waiting to read something that'll make me want the SIII more but it ain't happening. I'm getting an Evo on 7/1 unless someone gives me a good reason not to.
 

Monbo Jumbo

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Have you checked out the Evo yet? I keep waiting to read something that'll make me want the SIII more but it ain't happening. I'm getting an Evo on 7/1 unless someone gives me a good reason not to.
not yet - I'll compare them both when my local sprint store has them side by side. I assume I'll go for the EVO. But as stated before, until pro clips has a car mount for them, I'm not buying anything.
 

glennhoffmania

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Thanks. But I have no plans to switch to ATT. Tried that, got burned. My only optios are the SIII or the Evo. Since the Evo and the One X are basically the same I'd assume there's no reason to switch anyway, right?
 

sox311

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Jan 30, 2004
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That's what she said.
Is there an Android APP thread? I would like to see some of you heavy Android user's go to apps.

I just got an HTC One X and I am trying to embrace myself in it, I use an iPhone mostly, but most Android apps and Google Play just feel like a hot mess to me.

The phone is great so far. Still feels too big in my hand, I for one don't want a large screen on a phone. But great hardware for those who like the big screen.
 

Dollar

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Is there an Android APP thread? I would like to see some of you heavy Android user's go to apps.

I just got an HTC One X and I am trying to embrace myself in it, I use an iPhone mostly, but most Android apps and Google Play just feel like a hot mess to me.

The phone is great so far. Still feels too big in my hand, I for one don't want a large screen on a phone. But great hardware for those who like the big screen.
There's a lot of good stuff in here: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/58528-android-apps-thread/

The size is the one thing I'm slightly worried about when I get my Galaxy SIII. I've gotten so used to the original Incredible the past two years, I'm thinking it will be tough to get used to the bigger size of the new phone.
 

jayhoz

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Jul 19, 2005
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I can't imagine going back to the incredible. It seems so useless after going to the large screen.
 

Caspir

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Have you checked out the Evo yet? I keep waiting to read something that'll make me want the SIII more but it ain't happening. I'm getting an Evo on 7/1 unless someone gives me a good reason not to.
Here is my review: Get this phone, immediately. It is fucking awesome, flawless, incredible, etc. I wish I had a comprehensive review, but seriously, it's just a magnificent device in every respect.

There's a lot of good stuff in here: http://sonsofsamhorn...id-apps-thread/

The size is the one thing I'm slightly worried about when I get my Galaxy SIII. I've gotten so used to the original Incredible the past two years, I'm thinking it will be tough to get used to the bigger size of the new phone.
I went from the Incredible to the Epic 4G Touch to the Evo 4G LTE and (as a dedicated Incredible fan boy) you will get over the size within three days.
 

smastroyin

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I guess now my question is whether I wander into a store from one of the other carriers today just to see the S3, or if I just wait the three damn weeks that VZW is going to take to get it out. (although I guess now it looks like pre-orders are going to consume all of the inventory for at least the next week, so stores won't have the phone for another week or two).