At&t Android selection pro's and cons?

[Snow_Fox]

So.. If I were to get an at&t android phone (even with a contract) I really wouldn't know what to do atm. (not happening.. but, I am in a mood to discuss this).

They finally have some choice.. but, It is borderline disturbing what you get to choose from.

Htc aria-
Pros
Htc is most "loyal" to updating phones. From my observations so far.
-Very Decent Battery life.
Cons
-Midranged phone
-Small screen

Motorola Backflip - not even really going into this one..
Pros
-Update scheduled in Q3

Samsung Captivate -
Pros
-First high end phone for at&Tand it has the impressive hummingbird processor. .
-Seems to be slightly better on batteries than other super phone's, particularly the Snapdragon set.
-Hardware wise comparable to anything on the market.
-4" super amoled display which size seems to be the "sweet spot" and the display itself is suppose to be a real eye catcher.
Cons.
-Yet to be seen how well it will be updated.
-It is still on at&t so no telling where updates may get "lost" even if samsung does try to update the phone

Google Nexus One - discontinued.

Sony Xperia x10-
Pros
-Snapdragon processor has been featured in a lot of great phones and is still higher end.
-4" screen which seems to be the "sweet spot" at the moment.
-Has potential if it is ever upgraded.
Cons
-Multiple complaints the built in "Extra's" from Sony slow the phone down signifigantly.
-Android version 1.6
-Update is up int he air.



Did I miss any phone's? or any pro's cons you think need to be added? Also feel free to throw out how active the community around these phone's are.. I've heard captivate was rooted pretty quickly and rom development is pretty exciting news for it.

 

[mongstradamus]

So.. If I were to get an at&t android phone (even with a contract) I really wouldn't know what to do atm. (not happening.. but, I am in a mood to discuss this).

They finally have some choice.. but, It is borderline disturbing what you get to choose from.

Htc aria- despite not having the "umph" some of the other phone's do... is an htc.. and from what I think we've seen (my personal observations so far at least).. Htc is most "loyal" to updating phones.

Motorola Backflip - not even really going into this one..

Samsung Captivate - First high end phone and it has the impressive hummingbird processor. From what I've heard hummingbird is great on batteries.. and while it is a very impressive phone in terms of power, has great form factor and potential to last until your next upgrade without you asking "why didn't I go with that other phone".. I think a big issue for anyone interested is how well does samsung upgrade/maintain its phones? if some of you have an answer let me know but, as of now I am unaware as to whether or not the Captivate will be updated.. or even if there is a claim how loyal samsung is to it.

Google Nexus One - discontinued.

Sony Xperia x10- Most of what I've read complains that all the feature's sony added while being nice ultimately slow it down to a crawl. High potential however, like Samsung unknown if you can ever really expect to see an upgrade.

Actually in retrospect.. the only one I am holding out any hope of receiving an upgrade would be N1 and Aria.. backflip isn't considered "high priority" and at the moment I have no idea how reliable samsung and SE are about updates.

Did I miss any phone's? or any pro's cons you think need to be added? Also feel free to throw out how active the community around these phone's are.. I've heard captivate was rooted pretty quickly and rom development is pretty exciting news for it.

Right now its all up in the air with how well samsung will support the captivate, they announced an gps fix for captivate and vibrant sometime in sept, and froyo for galaxy s phones, which doesnt gurantee that captivate will be getting it soon, has to go thru att first.

From what i know bout xperia i hear its still running 1.6 now will be upgrade to 2.1 sometime in fall, the hardware to me seems a bit dated i dont know.

Aria seems like a nice midrange android phone dont know if i could deal with 3.2 inch screen seems quite small.

 

[HustlinDaily]

If the Captivate gets the GPS fix with FroYo in September like promised, then it is by far the best phone there and the easiest choice. Those are big ifs due to how Samsung handled the Behold II on T-Mobile.

As far as the SE goes, I like the hardware. Pretty much a 4" Nexus with better camera. I don't like the fact that it is on 1.6 and will probably never see 2.2.

Aria is a nice phone but 3.2" and low res is too small for me as well.

FWIW, 2.1 upgrade for Backflip coming in Q3- 2.1 for Motorola Backflip Coming in Q3 | Android Phone Fans

 

[HustlinDaily]

More proof about Backflip update as article linked above is very old- https://supportforums.motorola.com/community/manager/softwareupgrades

 

[Ambictus]

Hey fellas, long time no see...

HTC Aria

Pros:
I own one which makes it cool
Community support
CyanogenMod 6 is ported to the device enabling those with the desire to have Froyo
Lots of other things

Cons:
None from my perspective

 

[nb_mitch]

HTC Aria

Pros:
I own one which makes it cool.......
Cons:
None from my perspective

It might be a nice device, but it is small, which might be good for some, but I prefer bigger device for net stuff, so I am going with the biggest "phone" coming to the market It should be in At&t stores in the next few weeks too

Samsung Tab - Extremely HUGE phone

 

[HustlinDaily]

Samsung Tab is not a phone tho. It is Samsung's attempt at an iPad killer.

 

[nb_mitch]

Samsung Tab is not a phone tho. It is Samsung's attempt at an iPad killer.

But it IS a phone, it is just a Samsung Captivate on Steriods

 

[aconrad86]

actually it's not a phone the articles I read yesterday said that they are removing the phone function from the galaxey tab. I just got my streak and feel like it gives me the best of the tab and phone worlds. plus with it getting 2.2 by the end of the year and the under the table 2.1 update I feel like it's a good decision. plus according to an article I read the droid x and droid 2 are the only other two high end phones to get better battery life then the streak

 

[nb_mitch]

actually it's not a phone the articles I read yesterday said that they are removing the phone function from the galaxey tab.

You are correct, the US version currently is reported to be a "Data only" device I don't see how they can expect to sell 10M of them, without the phone, unless they give them away, especially with Apple reportedly coming out with their own 7" Ipad.

I am still waiting to see how it goes, but that is a huge negative for me. I have been looking at VOIP applications and it might work out, I don't really use it much for a phone anyway and might save me $40/month

 

[Snow_Fox]

I doubt they will be given away.. i forgot the details but, I remember seeing they were expected to msrp at 1,000 USD.

Now with a contract that may go down to what? 500 USD? but, thats still expensive..

 

[nb_mitch]

I doubt they will be given away.. i forgot the details but, I remember seeing they were expected to msrp at 1,000 USD.

Now with a contract that may go down to what? 500 USD? but, thats still expensive..

The official annoucement from Samsung said between $200 - $400, but left it to the carriers to price the device based on subsidies and contracts. The $1000 price you are quoted is by greedy aftermarket resellers. Once the device becomes regularly available even that price will drop. I wouldn't expect it to go above $600 even without a contract from any of the carriers.

BUT, if Samsung REALLY believes they can sell 10M this year, there is going to have to be some killer deals or it just won't happen.

 

[Snow_Fox]

if they can do 200-400 w/o contract.. I think that could really put it in the running for what they want to do with it.. free with 2 year/200-400$ w/o contract..

I've seen at&t do similar deals for netbook.

If they did that.. I think it would really put the Tab in the running..

I mean... being totally serious.. the galaxy S series is a good set of phones.. they do have a decent following and those that are impressed are blown away.. Those that are not. can stick to their iphone.