$1500 for a smartphone... What to buy?

Forums › Android › $1500 for a smartphone... What to buy?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

5828 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#364299 6-Aug-2010 15:29

Privoxy:

Any suggestions would be of much help

Cheers!

Best Android phones today?

In no particular order as they are all awesome:

HTC Desire
Nexus One
Samsung Galaxy S
Sony Xperia X10

These are all either on Android v2.2 (Nexus One) or soon will be. You want Android v2.2 as soon as possible if not right from Day One.

I own a Nexus One. I really like it. Latest software. Designed to be rooted and modded if you're interested in that. Nexus One is the official reference phone for Android development. Has small round trackball. Very handy for *precise* placement of the cursor on the screen. Some graphics apps require a trackball for pan and zoom. Uniques: Has noise cancellation. Back slides off easily if you're a battery swapper like me.

HTC Desire: Brother phone to Nexus One (basically), but with Sense UI, FM Radio and optical trackpad. No noise cancellation. Back of phone is a hassle to remove if you swap batteries frequently.

Samsung Galaxy S: Never actually seen one, but the specs are excellent and probably can install more apps than any other Android phone without requiring Apps2SD as it has something like 1.5GB of internal storage (not talking about the sdcard here). Most other Android phones have 288MB or less - which is quite a bit as Android apps tend to be quite small - but a phone that won't struggle for space is a phone that deserves to be considered.

The SE X10 deserves to be included because it is capable of supporting the latest versions of Android and would / will be an awesome phone with Android v2.2 - if, when.....if ever. The custom Sony "Timescape" software is very nice and deserves to be checked out. But the HUGE downside if that it comes out of the box with Android v1.6....though it is supposed to be upgraded to at least Android v2.1 in the next couple of months.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Privoxy

132 posts

Master Geek

#364321 6-Aug-2010 16:18

Cheers for all the replies people, was of much help

Dingbatt

6756 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#365149 8-Aug-2010 22:41

Dingbatt: Just be aware that Android phones are not fully 'baked' yet (IMO). So $1500 is quite a lot to drop on something as an experiment. I have a Hero (on 2.1) and have decided (probably) to skip the Desire generation and wait for the next one. Having said that I do believe that the Desire is good value at the moment as a capable entry point, as is the Nexus One, I just am unsure about the N1's physical trackball having used the Hero.

Assuming 6 monthly product updates (seems to be the norm in the mobile phone world. See Hero - Legend - Desire) then HTC are probably due to release a World phone to succeed the Desire.

Android is great particularly if you like to 'tinker'.

Just saw this, hopefully not just vapourware.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/07/htc-desire-hd-spotted-in-the-wild-with-evo-like-form-factor-and/

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#365158 8-Aug-2010 23:01

I want a HTC Desire with the HW keyboard that's as good as the HTC Touch Pro

Deadpool

54 posts

Master Geek

#365842 10-Aug-2010 13:17

With the HTC Desire does anyone know if you can update the OS software yourself? Or if HTC will be good at releasing updates for it soon after google release a new Android revision?

And what media types does it support, I know it doesn't support DivX just wondering if there is an android media player you can install that does support DivX, or if the Desire comes with software that allows you to convert media to run on your phone.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#365845 10-Aug-2010 13:23

kyhwana2: I want a HTC Desire with the HW keyboard that's as good as the HTC Touch Pro

You could run Android on the Touch Pro using Haret???

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#365851 10-Aug-2010 13:27

timbosan:
kyhwana2: I want a HTC Desire with the HW keyboard that's as good as the HTC Touch Pro

You could run Android on the Touch Pro using Haret???

Yeah, I did that before I sold my TP ;)

Couldn't use it for serious use though, battery life on it sucked.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#365852 10-Aug-2010 13:27

Deadpool: With the HTC Desire does anyone know if you can update the OS software yourself? Or if HTC will be good at releasing updates for it soon after google release a new Android revision?

And what media types does it support, I know it doesn't support DivX just wondering if there is an android media player you can install that does support DivX, or if the Desire comes with software that allows you to convert media to run on your phone.

Er yes, you can do OTA updates. (2.2 has been released for the Desire already) or you can root it and install custom roms..

Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#365856 10-Aug-2010 13:38

I think HTC also release software updates via their web site. It depends on wat the support arrangements are around your phone.

For example, this link takes you to an HTC page offering a ROM upgrade to a person with a Telstra HTC Desire (A8183 - Telecom XT flavour). A non-rooted user can happily download and apply such upgrades if their phone fits the criteria.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

ArtooDetoo

1044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#366206 11-Aug-2010 13:00

Anybody prepared to share their experience with Parallel Imported in Harris Rd? They have a few different Android models there and the prices seem to equate reasonably well with imported, currency converted, shipped devices.

Haven't seen a lot of chatter about local importers, so just thought I'd ask.

Thanks in advance for any useful info.

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

Handsomedan

7294 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#366241 11-Aug-2010 14:23

Parallel Imported are probably the best of the PI crowd.

they're the biggest and are always professional (at least they have been for me).

I've never had an issue with them.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

ArtooDetoo

1044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#366252 11-Aug-2010 14:44

Handsomedan: Parallel Imported are probably the best of the PI crowd.

they're the biggest and are always professional (at least they have been for me).

I've never had an issue with them.

Thanks for the prompt response HD. Appreciate your input. Thinking about buying a Galaxy S or Xpedia X10 depending on Android flavour availability. 1.6 seems to be the norm for the SE at the moment which means I'll prolly hold off until there's some definitive info on whether Froyo will ever be implemented.

No rush though, as the trusty E71 is still going OK. I can be patient. :)

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#366326 11-Aug-2010 16:30

Handsomedan: Parallel Imported are probably the best of the PI crowd.

they're the biggest and are always professional (at least they have been for me).

I've never had an issue with them.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#366346 11-Aug-2010 17:15

The Galaxy S is far better than the X10 if your choice is between those two.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

ArtooDetoo

1044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#366354 11-Aug-2010 17:46

NZtechfreak: The Galaxy S is far better than the X10 if your choice is between those two.

Originally I was holding out for something with a slider keyboard. Until I discovered Swype that is. So all Android phones are on the table now. The reason I mentioned the X10 is that it looks the mutts nuts as a piece of industrial design but in the end the user experience will trump the 'looks' factor.

I found a couple of i9000 reviews that are mostly glowing except for the lack of camera flash. But since the X10 is still handicapped by 1.6, there hasn't really been a review on a level playing field. I suppose there could be a rooted X10 or two out there with Froyo shoehorned in but I haven't spotted one yet.

Thanks for the recommendation though. If there's another handset out there that you recommend, have at it. I'm not being lazy - :) - just taking advantage of such opportunities to pick brains as they arise. ;)

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
owner. Galaxy S3 has gone to its new owner. Now using Galaxy Note 3. Skipping Note 4 I think...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4