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Getting my first Android phone, can't decide which one is best for me. Help!

Zerg

Newbie
Sep 18, 2010
46
0
Hello everyone, I'm going to be purchasing my first smart phone coming up in about a week with Verizon. I currently have a dinosaur Motorola Krzr. But I'm having a little bit of trouble deciding on which new Android phone would best meet my needs. So if someone could possibly guide me in the right direction or make some recommendations based on my needs, it would be much appreciated. :)

What I like to do.
1) I'm a news junkie. So I really like to read, browse news sites and forums to stay up to date on news. Watching videos on youtube would be nice. I know that the X has the bigger screen which is nice, but how efficient and easy is the Incredible at browsing the net and watching videos? I don't want to be squinting to try to read and watch.

2) Text Messaging / typing. I am pretty active on a lot of forums, so typing fast and accurately would be nice. I also enjoy text messaging a lot. I've never used a slide out qwerty keyboard on a cell phone or a touch screen keyboard. So I'm not sure what is better/faster/more accurate.

3) Camera for taking pictures

4) Talking / general phone use

Things that are not that important to me.
1) Games / ROMS. I don't really ever see myself playing games on my cell phone.

2) Social Networking. I don't really use facebook or twitter. Although I have thought about getting facebook.


**TLDR** Android 2, Incredible, or X for me? What is the fastest for texting/ typeing? Does the larger screen on the X make it that much more efficient than the Incredible for watching videos / reading / browsing? Or is Incredible still able to browse / read / watch videos easily without squinting or troubles?
 
Wait for a newer phone, one is probably gonna come out soon like 1 or 2 months.
A newer phone is always going to come out soon, you can never really have the 'newest'.

Since you like to watch youtube, read a lot, post on forums etc. I would suggest the X. The screen is great for that and Swype should be right up your alley for typing/messages/posting. I don't have one but a few friends at work do and it really is a fantastic phone. If I had to get a phone today I would seriously consider it (even though I prefer a keyboard, have a Droid now).

Go to VRZ and 'play' with them all, side by side, and see what you prefer.
 
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Hello everyone, I'm going to be purchasing my first smart phone coming up in about a week with Verizon. I currently have a dinosaur Motorola Krzr. But I'm having a little bit of trouble deciding on which new Android phone would best meet my needs. So if someone could possibly guide me in the right direction or make some recommendations based on my needs, it would be much appreciated. :)

What I like to do.
1) I'm a news junkie. So I really like to read, browse news sites and forums to stay up to date on news. Watching videos on youtube would be nice. I know that the X has the bigger screen which is nice, but how efficient and easy is the Incredible at browsing the net and watching videos? I don't want to be squinting to try to read and watch.

2) Text Messaging / typing. I am pretty active on a lot of forums, so typing fast and accurately would be nice. I also enjoy text messaging a lot. I've never used a slide out qwerty keyboard on a cell phone or a touch screen keyboard. So I'm not sure what is better/faster/more accurate.

3) Camera for taking pictures

4) Talking / general phone use

Things that are not that important to me.
1) Games / ROMS. I don't really ever see myself playing games on my cell phone.

2) Social Networking. I don't really use facebook or twitter. Although I have thought about getting facebook.


**TLDR** Android 2, Incredible, or X for me? What is the fastest for texting/ typeing? Does the larger screen on the X make it that much more efficient than the Incredible for watching videos / reading / browsing? Or is Incredible still able to browse / read / watch videos easily without squinting or troubles?

Welcome to the forum Zerg!

There really isn't one phone that is better than another. It really comes down to personal prefrence.
I was torn between the D2 and INcredible. The X wasn't really on my radar because of the size.
I just got the D2 a few days ago. The phone is great and i love the fact the I have a keyboard if I ever need it. I rarely use it (I had the D1), but for longer messages/emails i like to pull it out.
Otherwise I love Swype.

CAmera isn't as good as the X or Dinc, but good enough for me.

I dont know how it stacks up to the others as far as web browsing, but i have no complaints.

Good luck, and hope you continue being a part of the forum after you get your phone.
 
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I am on the same boat here. It has been awhile since I have been here. I have spent 5/6 months on an HTC Touch Pro 2 and 1 month on a BlackBerry Pearl. I still will probably get the HTC MyTouch 3G Slide but was wondering if there was a newer MyTouch or other HTC Android phone with a keyboard coming out soon for T-Mobile USA.

My preferred usage:

Texting
Social Networking apps
I.M. apps
Email
Camera
Music Services (Amazon MP3 Store)
Movies/TV (MobiTV, etc)
3.5mm headset
MicroSDHC compatibility
Phone
 
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I do a lot of the same things as you, and I've been really happy with my D2. The screen is plenty big, and I really like to have a real keyboard to bang out emails and texts on. I even use it to type in search names/terms.

I think it's the best choice for Verizon. Don't get the Fascinate unless they remove Bing as the default search. I use the dedicated search key all the time, and I would be pissed if it went to Bing instead of Google. I've never used the X or the Incredible, but everyone seems to think those are great phones too.
 
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I think I'm leaning towards the Incredible. Some things that worry me about it that I have read are the battery life and Camera. Can anyone that has one talk about the Battery life and camera. Are those really bad or things that I should be concerned about with the Incredible?
 
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I think I'm leaning towards the Incredible. Some things that worry me about it that I have read are the battery life and Camera. Can anyone that has one talk about the Battery life and camera. Are those really bad or things that I should be concerned about with the Incredible?

Not sure about the camera. My understanding is that it was great.
However, the battery is terrible.

I had an HTC Eris and the battery would sometimes not last through half the day. As soon the the INc came out, a lot of Eris owners jumped ship, and then confirmed the battery was just as bad.

You are going to have the same problem on just about every smartphone, so dont let that be the determining factor. But some are worse than others.
Plan on always having a car charger in your vehicle, and if you can, have a charger at your work to keep it charged.
Also, you can invest in a more powerful battery that will add hours of use.
Check out Sedio.com for batteries.
 
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I would honestly reccomend the Droid X if that's an option, but yes, the battery on the Incredible is anything but incredible. The phone's quite incredible, yes, but.... you get my point.

The Droid X is a nice choice along with the Droid 2. I would say, personally, drop by your local big red store (verizon) and just mess with the phones. Mess with the Incredible, try playing with the X, jam out some big messages with the Droid 2. The phones are on display for a reason, and it's not like someone is going to judge you for trying something out before you buy it; chances are you're about to spend a little over $200! I can't think of anyone (aside from filthy rich people) that doesn't try something out before they buy it. Heck, I'm definitely going to test drive my first new car before I buy it. No way in blue hell would I just go get something without trying it first.


TLDR: The Droid X is best for reading because of the screen. The Droid 2 might be best for typing if you can't use touch screen only. Try out all of Verizon's Droid lineup in-store when you have the chance: not only on the day you're about to buy.
 
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why is no one recommending the fascinate?



Because it's samsung and its got bing.... That's 2 strikes:p

Seems like a good phone. Maybe it just needs to be around longer. I got my d2 on thursday. although I kinda knew what I wanted, I let the sales rep do his thing. He just briefly showed me the fascinate. he was basically showing the X, d2 and dinc a his big 3.
Maybe that'll change over time. But right now the fascinate is getting no love
 
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Because it's samsung and its got bing.... That's 2 strikes:p

Seems like a good phone. Maybe it just needs to be around longer. I got my d2 on thursday. although I kinda knew what I wanted, I let the sales rep do his thing. He just briefly showed me the fascinate. he was basically showing the X, d2 and dinc a his big 3.
Maybe that'll change over time. But right now the fascinate is getting no love

Im actually eligable for upgrade on the 25th and cant wait and do not know what to get.... currently have a samsung rogue. Whats wrong with samsung? Is bing that bad?
 
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Im actually eligable for upgrade on the 25th and cant wait and do not know what to get.... currently have a samsung rogue. Whats wrong with samsung? Is bing that bad?

Nothing wrong with them. It was more of a joke.
It really comes down to personal preference. I just prefer Google over Bing. Also have never quite liked samsung phones I've had in the past.

But that fascinate does seem pretty slick.
Make the best out of that 30 day return policy. Get the phone you want, but dont feel like you're stuck with it if you're not convinced after 2-3 weeks.
 
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can you actually explain this 30 day policy? Its not my two year upgrade.. its one year so I pay 20 dollars? I think and then i am eligible to buy any phone for the 2 yr contract price? I had no idea there was a return policy.. I can pick out a phone and if i dont like I can return? I am soooo split between the Dinc, X, and fascinate.
 
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I just got home from Verizon. I went in to play and mess around with the phones and see what I liked. I came away wishing that the X had the Incredible's UI. I really liked the UI of the Incredible. I really like the size of the X. Although it was a little big I still thought that was really nice to have that extra size for when you browse the web or get on youtube. If the X had the UI of the Incredible I would be sold right now. Any chance of that ever happening haha? That would be really nice.
 
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can you actually explain this 30 day policy? Its not my two year upgrade.. its one year so I pay 20 dollars? I think and then i am eligible to buy any phone for the 2 yr contract price? I had no idea there was a return policy.. I can pick out a phone and if i dont like I can return? I am soooo split between the Dinc, X, and fascinate.

Any phone you buy, whether it's an upgrade or you pay full price, you can return within 30 days. No questions asked. (think they recently implemented a restocking fee, but you might be able to get around that).
You can either choose a new phone, or go back to your old phone and you will be eligible for an upgrade again.
Like if nothing ever happened.

I am currently within my 30 days on my D2. Although i dont plan on returning it, i am keeping that option open if another phone(or member here) convinces me.:cool:
 
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Excuse my ignorance, but what does that mean? =)

It means sometime in the near future, a dif. version of the droid x, which will be made universal (not just the United States) will replace the droid x. This version will have a smaller screen size and a 1.3 ghz core opposed to the X 1 ghz.

of course, these specs are rumors? but the droid pro is for sure going to be released.
 
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It means sometime in the near future, a dif. version of the droid x, which will be made universal (not just the United States) will replace the droid x. This version will have a smaller screen size and a 1.3 ghz core opposed to the X 1 ghz.

of course, these specs are rumors? but the droid pro is for sure going to be released.

Droid X with Sense UI would be a perfect phone in my opinion.
 
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So I'm a little confused on the whole versions and updates for the phone thing. So right now I really like the Sense UI on the Incredible. With things like the Leap feature and it's copy/paste seems to be better than that of the Droid X. Will the Droid X continue to get updates and for how long? Couldn't they just update it with those features on the Droid X? If someone could explain to me how that works, I would appreciated it.
 
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Is there anyway around Bing on the Fascinate yet? Having Google's Navigation on my X is a godsend for when I get lost.

this is a good question. i also would like to know. I am 5 days away from picking up my new phone and stil clueless on what one i want...

the fascinate seems to b the best for me i think. perfect size, good looking, fast hummingbird,
 
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