Looking for a new smartphone-----Verizon

[tigersharkdude]

So I am fixing to bust my BB Storm on the ground and when I do I need a new phone. I would love something with a really good speaker, the storm sucks balls. I mean my moms boost phone that cost $50 sounds better. Would also like something with a decent camera that takes decent video as well. Since I dont talk on the phone much (being partially deaf) I was thinking of the Droid X, because it suits my needs. It takes good pics/video.

Tell me what ya'll think....

[AppleBonker]

I'm in the exact same boat. I will very shortly (once funds allow) be dropping AT&T and moving to vzw. Personally, I'm currently leaning towards the HTC Droid Incredible. I honestly love the Droid 2 (mostly for the physical keyboard) but the locked bootloader is a huge problem for me. As stated in other threads, I want to be able to use my phone as a wireless hot spot and to tether directly to one computer (either wireless or wired) and the moto skin hinders that. If this is not something that concerns you, either of the new motorola phones should suit your needs. I think those two and the Droid Incredible are probably the top offerings on Verizon right now. Anyone else have any thoughts? I'm certainly not completely decided at this point...

[BusyBadger]

I'm completely happy with my Droid I love the specs on the Droid X but hate the lack of a physical keyboard. If you're ok with that you should go to a store and check one out. With the abundance of smartphones on the market now BlackBerry needs to step up their game...I've heard so many people online and irl that have been disappointed with RIM's various offerings.

[tigersharkdude]

I def. want hot spot capability and I actually like touch screen keyboards, another reason whey I was leaning towards the Droid X

EDIT: The phone will be a christmas/b-day present to myself (since they are 25-26th). It will be bought cash, unless I can extend my contract (I bought the BB in december of 09, so that should be around the right time frame)

[AppleBonker]

Sorry, all three of the phones are capable of setting up wireless hot spots. Unfortunately, all three require a $30/month (I think it's $30, but it may be $20) add-on to your monthly package. My interest in the incredible is that it can be rooted more easily and you can do this on your own without paying verizon for it. It is definitely against the rules, and it's not necessarily an easy task to root the phone. I like tinkering with computers, so I have a feeling I can figure it out. But if I screw up, it is a definite possibility that I'll brick my phone, so it's probably not for the faint of heart.

As far as the contract goes, Verizon generally signs you up for 2-year contracts when you get a phone subsidy. They offer 1-year contracts (the phone ends up costing a bit more - $70 generally) but I believe you have to ask for them. I thought they were offering early upgrade eligibility to the new motorola phones, but I could be mistaken. It might be worth investigating. Otherwise I believe the phones will cost you roughly $550 outright.

[marlin29311]

Tigre won't be paying anymore a month to have a Droid VS a BB...same price.

You should be able to do a one year early upgrade...you just pay a couple extra bucks like Apple noted.

I just read that they've rooted the Droid 2 already...and the Droid X is the size of a bloody netbook - its friggin huge. The Incredible i think is the best choice, and it's getting the Froyo update tomorrow too, so you'll have a full flash web browser.

[AppleBonker]

That is correct. I just looked and the 3G Mobile Hotspot add-on is required by Verizon to setup a mobile hot spot for both Android devices and Blackberries (at $20/month).

Both the Droid 2 and Droid X have been rooted, but they are still unable to run custom roms. I believe that is the requirement to establish a mobile hot spot without paying Verizon extra for the ability. I could be completely wrong about that, so maybe someone can chime in with better info. I don't believe I've done enough research on it yet.

[tigersharkdude]

When I get my new phone I am not going to root it, I really dont see the reasoning behind so. The only thing I really use a phone for are
camera, messaging and internet
anything else is just extra.
The reasoning behind wanting a smart phone is because I cant hear over the phone good, so I use my phone to text, and message online.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

The Droid X isn't that big if you don't have tiny p**** hands.

[marlin29311]

The Droid X isn't that big if you don't have tiny p**** hands.

It's not a hand issue, its when you put it in your pocket that it becomes the size of a tumor on your leg.

[RobPaulson]

Unfortunately, all three require a $30/month (I think it's $30, but it may be $20) add-on to your monthly package.

Otherwise I believe the phones will cost you roughly $550 outright.

[Otto.]

I would go with the Incredible. I was actually looking to get one a while ago until I remembered how much I dislike Verizon.

The Droid X is probably their "best" phone right now... but I still recommend the Incredible.

[tigersharkdude]

Who knows, its going to be around christmas before I get a new phone so Im sure there will be something out by then that kills the incredible and droid X

[Alfador]

I'm a physical keyboard junkie. I have fat bear paw hands and as a result fat fingers that don't play nice on touch screens, plus TS keyboards take up too much of the screen when in use for my liking. Considered upgrading to the Droid 2 from the Droid, but I'm waiting on someone finding a way around the bootloader lock (someone will, eventually). The bootloader thing really isn't a HUGE deal though since 99.9% of consumers probably don't give a rat turd about it or even know what it is.

[RobPaulson]

The Droid X is probably their "best" phone right now... but I still recommend the Incredible.

this is kind of a misinformed statement.

tbqh there is no 'best' phone on that network. there are the incredible, X, and 2, and they all EXTREMELY similar performance benchmarks (inc needs to be rooted and upgraded to 2.2, but the potential is there). The only way to decide which one to get is personal preference of menial things like physical keyboard, camera location/usage, and size.

but claiming one is better than the other is just ignorant.

[AppleBonker]

I don't know that someone will find a way around the bootloader. Isn't it the Moto milestone (or something) that has been out in Europe for nearly 8 months with the same locked bootloader that STILL hasn't been hacked? TBH, I think Motoblur or Ninjablur or whateverblur is on those phones is garbage. I just want vanilla Android. I'm just disappointed it is so hard to come by. I don't know that I like the SenseUI any better, but at least I know I can more easily replace it.

Tiger, I'm not sure how many awesome phones will be released by then. I'm not seeing much leaked out right now. There are a number of processor upgrades coming from those manufacturers, but I would imagine that will take a little bit of time to put into a phone and complete testing. I wont be surprised if there aren't any new "super-phones" before the holiday season.

[Alfador]

The Droid X is probably their "best" phone right now... but I still recommend the Incredible.

this is kind of a misinformed statement.

tbqh there is no 'best' phone on that network. there are the incredible, X, and 2, and they all EXTREMELY similar performance benchmarks (inc needs to be rooted and upgraded to 2.2, but the potential is there). The only way to decide which one to get is personal preference of menial things like physical keyboard, camera location/usage, and size.

but claiming one is better than the other is just ignorant.

I agree. Depends on what you want. Droid X is obviously "best" if your primary purpose is watching video on a decent sized screen. If you type and send a lot of longer winder messages like emails and forum posts, you mway prefer the physical keyboard. Incred. probably has the best camera, followed by the X and then the wimpy 5mp on the D2 that is better than the Droid's but not by a lot.

As for the incredible, 2.2 is coming out today supposedly: http://www.droid-life.com/2010/08/26/br ... -tomorrow/

TBH no one is really trying to crack the milestone. It's basically just a GSM droid with some annoying features that make it suckier IMO. Plus, that's Europe. A couple people have been working on bootloader cracks for The 2 and the X (the general thinking is also once they break one wall the other will come down as well), and they seem to be making steady, if painstaking, process.

And for what it's worth, my battery life seems to have gotten better with 2.2. I was playing with the phone all day and it laster a little longer than it usually does when it just sits in my pocket.

[C-Kwik]

So I am fixing to bust my BB Storm on the ground and when I do I need a new phone. I would love something with a really good speaker, the storm sucks balls. I mean my moms boost phone that cost $50 sounds better. Would also like something with a decent camera that takes decent video as well. Since I dont talk on the phone much (being partially deaf) I was thinking of the Droid X, because it suits my needs. It takes good pics/video.

Tell me what ya'll think....

The Droid X actually has some rather poor reviews for the camera. Particularly in regards to picture quality. The iPhone's 5 MP camera takes better pics than the DX's 8 MP camera. I have shot a few on mine and they suck. But I rarely take photos with my phone anyways so it wasn't a deciding factor.

I'm completely happy with my Droid I love the specs on the Droid X but hate the lack of a physical keyboard.

Personally, I hate all phones with physical keyboards. They tend to be thick if the keyboard is hidden or has to fight the screen for real estate on the front of the phone. While they have gotten thinner, the Droid is still thicker than I'd prefer. Virtual keyboards do tend to have their nuances, but the Droid X with its large screen makes it a bit easier. But even then, Swype makes it very easy to type on virtual keyboards (not sure they would work as well for resistive touchscreens though). It comes standard on the Droid X, but you can find it for the Incredible if you search. I installed it on my girlfriend's new Incredible and she loves it.