Picking my first Android w/ Verizon

[NoShftShck16]

Ok, so I have had Windows Mobile since the Omnia came out (biggest mistake I've ever made). Unfortunately the phone sucked and well, I already new WinMo did too.

I have Verizon and I'm growing more and more fond of HTC. The phones I were considering were:

HTC Desire (N1 minus Google) (if available on Verizon)
HTC Nexus One
HTC Eris
Motorola** Droid

Obviously I am not going to get much info on the Desire. But those of you who have these phones and on Verizon (with the exception of the N1 until later), what do you think of them? Are there solid underlying issues with any of them? What is your suggestion besides these for an Android phone on Verizon (even if they are unreleased phones)? **With my WinMo phone I was very involved with flashing ROMs and customizing it as much as I could, so I am looking for phones with similar abilities. All of these are rooted (as far as I know at least, again with the exception of the Desire).

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[sc4fpse]

You list the HTC Droid and the HTC Eris as two separate phones. There is only one HTC "Droid," the HTC Droid Eris. The other "Droid" is the Motorola Droid.

I'd say away from the Droid Eris. It was a decent handset when it was released last year, but its specs are becoming less and less impressive. Although, there has been some interesting development as of late, but I'd still stay away from it.

If you're interested in customizing your phone with custom roms, the Droid is the way to go. It's development community is by far the largest. Compared to the Droid Eris, the specs are more impressive.

If you're looking for the latest, I'd hold off until the Nexus One, unless you want a physical keyboard with the Motorola Droid. The Nexus One seems to be Google's baby right now, although numbers-wise, it's been a flop. Still an impressive handset, specs wise.

I don't know much about the Desire, so I can't offer any insight there.

To sum it all up:

- HTC Droid Eris: Weaker handset, already somewhat outdated. You'd probably be better off shying away from this one.
- Motorola Droid: Best handset for community development and customizing.
- HTC Nexus One: Probably the best bet if you're looking for a newer handset with the most impressive specs.
- HTC Desire: No idea.

 

[Bill]

What about the Incredible?

http://androidforums.com/htc-incredible/53623-htc-incredible-specs-evergreen.html

Bill

 

[NoShftShck16]

is the Incredible going to be offered for Verizon? I've heard talks about it but unfortunately those people also said it would be downgraded from the 1 gig processor to 768. Numbers could be wrong, and they could possibly be just rumors. In my experience (noted by my downclocked i910 from Samsung) Verizon loves to ruin awesome phones.

 

[Bill]

is the Incredible going to be offered for Verizon? I've heard talks about it but unfortunately those people also said it would be downgraded from the 1 gig processor to 768. Numbers could be wrong, and they could possibly be just rumors. In my experience (noted by my downclocked i910 from Samsung) Verizon loves to ruin awesome phones.

The Verizon logo is plastered all over the phone so I would assume so. From what I heard is the the processor is underclocked which should not be an issue for you if you root it.

What about the desire what are thos specs and are you sure it is coming to Verizon.

Bill

 

[NoShftShck16]

The Desire is the Nexus One minus Google. It has all the same functions minus the dual mic but unlike the N1 it is loaded with a fully functional multi-touch on 2.1 right out of the gates AND HTC Sense. Granted the N1 got the multi-touch upgrade but I've heard issues with it. I am a die hard Google fan so the biggest things pushing me to the Desire (if it came out for Verizon) would be the price difference, how I could buy it and HTC Sense. Hardware specs again are identical minus the dual mic.

 

[Bill]

The Desire is the Nexus One minus Google. It has all the same functions minus the dual mic but unlike the N1 it is loaded with a fully functional multi-touch on 2.1 right out of the gates AND HTC Sense. Granted the N1 got the multi-touch upgrade but I've heard issues with it. I am a die hard Google fan so the biggest things pushing me to the Desire (if it came out for Verizon) would be the price difference, how I could buy it and HTC Sense. Hardware specs again are identical minus the dual mic.

For some reason I thought the rumors where saying this phone is slotted for Sprint. Is that not the case? What are the rumors saying when it will be available.

I would also assume the desire would be priced around the same as the moto droid which is similar to the N1 right?

If the desire and N1 come out the same time it appears the biggest difference will be that upgrades should be quicker on the N1. I say should be because we have yet to see evidence of how quick up dates will come on Googles phone. At this point all the other phones are only about two months behind.

Bill

 

[NoShftShck16]

I'm beginning to think the Motorola Droid is the best option. I would love the N1 but if it has the same restrictions that it does with T-Mobile (you have to start a new plan to get it and it cannot be added to existing family plans) then it is already out of the question. Also, it seems like there is a decent following of developers/community surrounding the Droid which I hadn't realized or expected for whatever reason. I am due for an annual upgrade in April meaning I can get the phone for retail minus rebate without screwing with my plan. We shall see what Verizon has to say after the N1s drop date.

 

[USofPlutarchy]

I'm beginning to think the Motorola Droid is the best option. I would love the N1 but if it has the same restrictions that it does with T-Mobile (you have to start a new plan to get it and it cannot be added to existing family plans) then it is already out of the question. Also, it seems like there is a decent following of developers/community surrounding the Droid which I hadn't realized or expected for whatever reason. I am due for an annual upgrade in April meaning I can get the phone for retail minus rebate without screwing with my plan. We shall see what Verizon has to say after the N1s drop date.

I'd just wait a week to see if Verizon makes any N1 announcements. For some reason I thought the Desire was GSM and not coming to Verizon....

 

[Bill]

I'm beginning to think the Motorola Droid is the best option. I would love the N1 but if it has the same restrictions that it does with T-Mobile (you have to start a new plan to get it and it cannot be added to existing family plans) then it is already out of the question. Also, it seems like there is a decent following of developers/community surrounding the Droid which I hadn't realized or expected for whatever reason. I am due for an annual upgrade in April meaning I can get the phone for retail minus rebate without screwing with my plan. We shall see what Verizon has to say after the N1s drop date.

I think by April you may have a new choice or two make besides the droid. The droid is a great phone but there are some new models coming out soon that will be better specs. Unless of coarse the physical keyboard is a high priority for you.

Bill

 

[NoShftShck16]

To be perfectly honest, i would prefer a phone without a keyboard (i wouldnt mind having one again, but it would not make or break any phone) but I really can't put up with this Omnia for that much longer. Id like to upgrade as soon as possible once April rolls around.

 

[takeshi]

I would love the N1 but if it has the same restrictions that it does with T-Mobile (you have to start a new plan to get it and it cannot be added to existing family plans) then it is already out of the question.

IIRC, the restrictions only apply to the subsidized N1.

 

[NoShftShck16]

so basically the N1 will be $530 for anyone on an existing Family Plan with Verizon? Also someone mentioned other options by April. I find it hard to believe the Incredible will be launched by April and other than that I've heard nothing about upcoming phones in relation to Verizon other than the N1.

Now that they've begun rolling out 2.1 upgrades to the Droid it is seeming more likely...but god damn I love that N1

 

[Knitewulf]

Personally i'd go with the Nexus One or Motorola Droid.
Depends on if you like keyboards or not.
The eris is far behind in the updates. The Droid is 2.1 and so is Nexus one. You can root easily and make the phone whatever you want. I own a droid and am perfectly happy with it. Couldn't ask for a better phone.

 

[macprv]

I would ask u first this; do you care for the latest version of the OS?... only the nexus one and droid are google experience, and those two would be the best option, then i would ask, phisical keyboar or not?.. if not the N1 is the way to go!

 

[NoShftShck16]

2.1 is now on both so that issue is settled. Physical keyboard, absolutely zero preference but only when it comes to the Droid. I feel like the G1 is too thick with the keyboard and never really liked it. I'm glad the Droid went anorexic.

Here is the argument in my head...

Lasting Effect:
The N1's hardware are going to be on top (processor in particular) for a good time now. I'm a little worried about how quickly other phones will adapt the same processor and leave the Droid in the dust. Keep in mind, this is a year or two down the road.

Loyalty:
I love HTC, I've never owned either a Motorola or an HTC device before but I've heard such good news about HTC and outside of the Droid not the same for Motorola. Especially with the sliding keyboard addition making it potentially less robust.
I LOVE Google. I am the exact same way with Google than those crazy Apple people are. But hey, its Google...I mean come on. Apple and Steve Jobs can burn in hell (especially after this patent lawsuit).

Price:
I can upgrade no problem to the Droid. I love Google but I would like $530 to stay in my pocket more.

 

[macprv]

2.1 is now on both so that issue is settled. Physical keyboard, absolutely zero preference but only when it comes to the Droid. I feel like the G1 is too thick with the keyboard and never really liked it. I'm glad the Droid went anorexic.

Here is the argument in my head...

Lasting Effect:
The N1's hardware are going to be on top (processor in particular) for a good time now. I'm a little worried about how quickly other phones will adapt the same processor and leave the Droid in the dust. Keep in mind, this is a year or two down the road.

Loyalty:
I love HTC, I've never owned either a Motorola or an HTC device before but I've heard such good news about HTC and outside of the Droid not the same for Motorola. Especially with the sliding keyboard addition making it potentially less robust.
I LOVE Google. I am the exact same way with Google than those crazy Apple people are. But hey, its Google...I mean come on. Apple and Steve Jobs can burn in hell (especially after this patent lawsuit).

Price:
I can upgrade no problem to the Droid. I love Google but I would like $530 to stay in my pocket more.

or you could just wait for the release of the N1 for verizon with an upgrade discount like tmobile does?

 

[NoShftShck16]

or you could just wait for the release of the N1 for verizon with an upgrade discount like tmobile does?

Therein lies the problem. T-Mobile won't allow upgrades for existing family plan members. For a new 2 year contract for new clients it is $179 i think, for existing clients it is $279 (only for individual plans).

I've heard rumors of that restriction coming from T-Mobile not Google. I would hope if thats the case that Verizon will try to avoid that to prove it is once again the top carrier with some of the best phones.

 

[dmodert66]

Lasting Effect:
The N1's hardware are going to be on top (processor in particular) for a good time now. I'm a little worried about how quickly other phones will adapt the same processor and leave the Droid in the dust. Keep in mind, this is a year or two down the road.

I'm not so sure about that. Most people who are rooted are running their phones at 1 Ghz (with little or no overvolt). Many people are getting 1.2 Ghz with overvolt. Some are even trying to reach 1.5! The highest I've seen the N1 clocked to is 1.11 Ghz. Seems Moto underclocked the Droid big time, while the N1 utilized most of what the snapdragon has to offer...

I am running at 1 Ghz myself and it's smooth as butter...

 

[NoShftShck16]

I'm not so sure about that. Most people who are rooted are running their phones at 1 Ghz (with little or no overvolt). Many people are getting 1.2 Ghz with overvolt. Some are even trying to reach 1.5! The highest I've seen the N1 clocked to is 1.11 Ghz. Seems Moto underclocked the Droid big time, while the N1 utilized most of what the snapdragon has to offer...

I am running at 1 Ghz myself and it's smooth as butter...

What are you running 1 Ghz on? A Droid? If so my problems might be over

 

[NoShftShck16]

So I thought I was settled, Droid if N1 was too pricey. But nooo, HTC has to wow me again with leaks of the official drop of the Incredible on Verizon.

8 MP camera that records 1080p?!
Downclocked Snapdragon (lame but still above Droid)

Since its not coming from Google, I can imagine there will be a subsidized version??