Best Android phone

[nocode]

I tried searching for something like "best phone" or variations but couldn't really find the answer that I'm looking for. I guess I'll start by saying that this is the first time in about 4-5 years where I'll be able to get my own phone (moving to a new job). I can basically pick any carrier since I'll be setting up a new contract and porting my phone number over. I'm thinking of sticking with either Sprint (what I'm currently on) or Verizon (reliability/previously on Verizon). I also live in NYC and I've heard AT&T is not great - although tell me otherwise.

I'm looking for a phone that is touchscreen only with hopefully WIFI capabilities and not bloated with too much hardware/carrier software. I like the EVO a lot and also the Incredible. I wasn't really a fan of the shape of the Droid X and some of the reviews for the Samsung Fascinate really drew me off. Are there any other phones that I should look into?

I may also wait out and get a Win7 phone when that is available on Sprint/Verizon. I had a chance to use a demo at a MS event and was a huge fan, but I'll leave that for a different forum

 

[CriticalCritic]

Rule #1
Do not buy a Samsung.

Rule #2
Go to the store and try out all* of the live models and get an idea about what you are dealing with... *but NEVER forget to yield to rule #1.

 

[nocode]

lol - I'll take your word on the Samsung. I see you have the EVO and it's rooted. What are the benefits of rooting? Does it basically get rid of all the Sprint software and run faster?

 

[alextop30]

Here is my recommendation on the matter at hand. I think Samsung and HTC are one of the better phones out there. With that said you should first choose a carrier in NYC I know Sprint and Verizon are pretty good. Sprint I think is a better option because of the 4G Wimax network. They were the first ones with it and they are going to be the ones to perfect it. If you stick with Sprint you have some options with phones. Epic 4G and Evo 4G I personally like the Evo a lot more even though the epic has some features which I would really love. One tip don't search best phone on the internet because you will get people's preferences not the truly best hardware on a phone. Start with the operator and move to the available phone options.

 

[lunatic59]

You are right about AT&T in the NYC area. You'll hit a lot of dead zones throughout the city, although right outside in North Jersey, the coverage is pretty good. I stick with AT&T primarily for the overseas connectivity as i travel a bit, but the coverage in the Philly area isn't so bad. The EVO seemed a little big to me, but that's my preference. The best thing to do is to do as alextop30 recommended ... go to the stores and try them out there.

All of the touchscreens will have WiFi as well as bloatware. That's part of the "Google experience", root and remove.

I got tired of waiting for WP7 to come out. I was a WinMo user and frankly didn't have any problems with it. However, once you've gone Android, it's hard going to what feels like a step backwards.

 

[CriticalCritic]

lol - I'll take your word on the Samsung. I see you have the EVO and it's rooted. What are the benefits of rooting? Does it basically get rid of all the Sprint software and run faster?

The 4 big benefits of rooting:
1 - Custom Roms (you can tweak the performance and customize various visual stuff that you can't otherwise).
2 - Free Wifi tether
3 - Full utilization of some apps that require, or are widely expanded in capability, by root (ex. apps that backup other apps are able to access "deeper" registries, and thus they can save and restore more data than they can otherwise)
4 - You can get rid of the sprint bloatware

 

[GeorgeinLA]

Get an Evo.

 

[toomuchgame441]

Yea, you really can't go wrong with the Evo, its one of the best Android devices out right now in my opinion. It has a nice large display, decent camera, very fast and responsive out of the box, and even more a d3light when you root it. I've had mine for over a month and I still can't put it down.

 

[Raftysworld]

I highly recommend the Droid 2, it's the best phone.

 

[Guamguy]

King Android right now - MyTouch 4G. Replaced the short reign of the Desire HD.

MyTouch 4G reign might even be shorter when Droid 2 Global comes out.

Galaxy Tab isn't really a phone but what I've seen of it looks very good. Contender to the Best Android without adding the word "phone" to it.

If Droid Incredible HD is true, and seriously it might, then you have another contender. I believe it will be more like the Desire HD with EV-DO, as opposed to a Verizon EVO. The main difference between the Desire HD and the EVO is two---first, the processor is 8255 vs. 8250, that's one generation leap. In real world benefits, the 8255 is faster, yet it runs cooler and more battery efficient. Second, the new version of HTC Sense hopefully with HTC Maps and remote kill.

 

[snapper.fishes]

Rule #1
Do not buy a Samsung.

Only if you are not willing to root and flash custom roms.

 

[CriticalCritic]

Only if you are not willing to root and flash custom roms.

I cannot deny that they are good for that
But you can also do that with an HTC.

 

[TheCompBoy]

I like the Samsung Galaxy S phone i got one and i have no problems with it...

 

[Eazail70x7]

Rule #1
Do not buy a Samsung.

You could have at least added a reason why not too?? (GPS issues, Super slow os updates, plasticky, etc)

I guess I just did it for you anyhow...

That said, I love my Galaxy S. Best thing out right now for my needs/desires.

 

[Frisco]

Rule #1
Do not buy a (fill in the blank).

Rule #2
Go to the store and try out all* of the live models and get an idea about what you are dealing with... *but NEVER forget to ignore rule #1.

fify

Complaints and praises for every phone manufacturer are all over the forums, everywhere. ymmv

 

[Caddyman]

droid x

/thread


/fanboyism

 

[snapper.fishes]

Rule #1
Do not buy a (fill in the blank).

Rule #2
Go to the store and try out all* of the live models and get an idea about what you are dealing with... *but NEVER forget to ignore rule #1.
fify

Complaints and praises for every phone manufacturer are all over the forums, everywhere. ymmv

1. Copy template.
2. Put in brand name.
3. ???????
4. Profit!

 

[jroc]

Like I posted elsewhere .....the best Android phone is the one that hasn't been made yet...

Or..

The one that has the cons you can live with. Figure that out and you will have the best Android phone...for you.

You wont find too many Android phones not bloated with carrier apps unless you get a Nexus 1, maybe the Droid 1, or if Google really does want a Nexus 2 made.

 

[CriticalCritic]

fify

Complaints and praises for every phone manufacturer are all over the forums, everywhere. ymmv

True, but the each manufacturer seems to have its consistent issues
HTC - Screen separation in a low % of phones on certain models.
Motorola - Messing with the bootloader to prevent rooting
Samsung - Radios that do not work AND least support/updates


If the HTC has issues, you can swap

The Motorola issues cannot be swapped... but the nature of the issue isn't something that will effect the majority of the users, and the ones that have problems with those issues usually know before they get into it.

But as for Samsung... you're stuck with it.
They install bad radios (the same type in the entire line of phones), so you can't swap to one that works.
They do not do recalls on the phones that are just... plain... unarguably... bricks, so you can assume (at least, I do) that they do not value their customers.
And of course... no matter how many times you swap you will NEVER get manufacturer updates... unless you swap to an HTC or Motorola.



I promise... I cannot simply swap manufacturer names into those positions.

Ahem... DO NOT BUY A SAMSUNG

 

[batgeek]

don't buy any Ford...you know...because they did make the Pinto. nice logic!

 

[CriticalCritic]

don't buy any Ford...you know...because they did make the Pinto. nice logic!

...? If they were still installing faulty GPS radios in their current lineup of S... AHEM, I MEAN... IF they were still installing pinto transmissions in their current F150 lineup, I would agree.

 

[Eazail70x7]

I'd rather have the gps im working with now (works decent for me), than a loose z-hinge on my phone (no offense to g2 owners). I say this to say that no manufacturer is perfect, not even htc as you may or may not believe

 

[batgeek]

...? If they were still installing faulty GPS radios in their current lineup of S... AHEM, I MEAN... IF they were still installing pinto transmissions in their current F150 lineup, I would agree.

but they changed. see...ummmm....yeah. you don't get it. there is this thing called The Future

 

[CriticalCritic]

but they changed. see...ummmm....yeah. you don't get it. there is this thing called The Future

 

[nocode]

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated as I know it's probably the most generalized question I could've asked.

Follow up question: if I flash the ROM of any of these phones, this will probably prevent me from running updates, correct? Now let's say I'm on a flash where the root program is Android 2.1 and then 2.2 comes out. When the flashed version of 2.2 comes out, does installing it completely wipe out all files/applications? Is there some sort of way to transition upgrades when you flash the ROM?