Xperia X10 vs Desire

[bluebirds]

I have such a dilemma!!!
Should I go for the X10 with its 8mp camera & mineral glass or the Desire with its sense UI & AMOLED screen.

I love the look of the X10 & the camera would be a big bonus, but I feel that the big USP of the phone is Timescape & Mediascape. The problem is that I don't really use Facebook & Twitter, so I don't feel that I will get the most out of the phone.
Also, knowing the history of SE with their updates (I've been a loyal SE owner for over 10years), I can't be confident that they will update the platform & release patches fast enough (if at all!!!)

However, I have been particularly taken with the HTC Desire & particularly the fact that its got multi-touch & is already running 2.1 & has the AMOLED screen.
The downside of this is that I'm led to believe that the screens can be a bit fragile.

I want to be convinced about the X10, but the only real plus point that I can find from it is the camera.

My knowledge of HTC is extremely limited, so any opinions that will help me make my decision will be very much appreciated.

 

[lekky]

Dont forget the processor on the Desire.

 

[grainysand]

Also, knowing the history of SE with their updates (I've been a loyal SE owner for over 10years), I can't be confident that they will update the platform & release patches fast enough (if at all!!!)

Big deciding factor unless you root. If the phone's rootable, even.

The downside of this is that I'm led to believe that the screens can be a bit fragile.

It's glass. Try not to drop it facefirst onto concrete or bash it against the wall.

My knowledge of HTC is extremely limited, so any opinions that will help me make my decision will be very much appreciated.

Popular opinion (which I agree with, mostly) is that Sense is currently the best custom UI on Android. HTC was the first to make Android phones, and remains one of the best, if not the very best, and nearly all HTC phones will always have xda developers to tinker with it and offer custom ROMs/hacks/themes.

I'm not too taken with Time/Mediascape, myself. Do you like blue a lot?

 

[saltorio]

Dont forget the processor on the Desire.

What about the processor on the Desire? It's the same 1GHz Snapdragon as the X10 uses.

 

[wankingweiner]

i would go for the Desire. The interface (sense) is far superior to media/timescape in my opinion. Its much more responsive, and i would say prettier. Desire will also for sure have the boys at xda cooking up some fresh Roms so you'll always be ahead of the pack if you decide to root.

The X10 on the other hand, despite having an extra .03" of screen space, and a better camera apparently, is running an already far outdated version of android. Sony say they will release an update but god knows how long that might take (maybe by the end of the year by which time that update might already be outdated lol). The problem with that is that many newer apps run on 2.0 and above. I also think that mediascape and timescape are overrated. It looks clunky, and a little hard to navigate.

 

[bluebirds]

I think my blind loyalty to SE has been tested with my last 2 phones (P990 & X1), with the X1 only becoming really useful after adding a custom Rom from the good guys @ XDA.
It's sad that approx 5 months after announcing the X10, it still seems far from perfect.
It now looks almost certain that the Desire will be my next phone as soon as its released.

Thanks to grainysand & wankingweiner for your constructive comments.

 

[wankingweiner]

Engadget has posted their review of the X10.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 review -- Engadget

It is a decent device, but as they state, it suffers from quite a bit of lag and strange keyboard problems.

 

[saltorio]

Not sure if the term "quite a bit of lag" is entirely appropriate:

...There's some pretty nasty initial jerkiness, though, if you haven't viewed Timescape in a while.

Speaking of jerkiness, the X10 suffers from the same issue that plagues the Nexus One: despite the blazingly fast 1GHz Snapdragon core that's aboard, portions of the interface feel barely quicker than a lowly 528MHz MSM7201A. Since we've seen similar issues on the Nexus One, we can't really chalk up the problems to Sony Ericsson's customizations, so we're not sure how or where to place the blame -- it's just inconsistent, even without having loaded any third-party apps. Things that seem like they'd be extraordinarily processor intensive (scrolling through a Timescape Spline, for instance) can be super fast, while a drop dead simple operation like opening a pop-up menu can momentarily bring the phone to a halt. We don't get it, but we're hoping it's something Google and Sony Ericsson can tighten up over time through software updates.

The initial jerkiness they mention makes sense if it's pulling data down from MySpace/Facebook/Twitter. Hopefully it would do this in the background but they don't really say.

As for lag, they same the same holds true for the N1 (and could thus very likely also be the case with the Desire).

Not saying it doesn't have issues, just trying to put in in perspective.

 

[bluebirds]

I didn't think it was too bad a review, and to be fair, most of the reviews have been fairly good.
One of my biggest problems is my lack of trust in SE to actually put right any faults that are found in the first couple of months. They have a history of tweaking a little bit before abandoning the updates way too early, leaving it up to XDA to put right what SE couldn't be bothered with.
I think I'll give it until the release of the Desire to get the opinions of some X10 owners before entirely writing it off.

 

[gogol]

Wow, I did not know that N1 has that kind of lag.

How bad is it? Is it noticeable and often occur?

Not sure if the term "quite a bit of lag" is entirely appropriate:



The initial jerkiness they mention makes sense if it's pulling data down from MySpace/Facebook/Twitter. Hopefully it would do this in the background but they don't really say.

As for lag, they same the same holds true for the N1 (and could thus very likely also be the case with the Desire).

Not saying it doesn't have issues, just trying to put in in perspective.

 

[saltorio]

Wow, I did not know that N1 has that kind of lag.

How bad is it? Is it noticeable and often occur?

Dunno. Was just pulling info from the Engadget review I quoted.

 

[grainysand]

Wow, I did not know that N1 has that kind of lag.

How bad is it? Is it noticeable and often occur?

What lag? I've only rarely experienced lag on my N1. Sure, I'm rooted now so that's become a complete non-issue, but even before there was no lag unless I decided to load up all five pages with twenty-five widgets and use a badly optimized third-party live wallpaper (the stock ones are fine; some of the ones found on the market are coded quite badly and can drop the phone's performance).

 

[deannatrois]

I was in the same position as u, found the X10 first, loved the spec and write ups.., then getting increasingly irritated by the fact that its release was put back two weeks for every two weeks in time we moved.., started looking elsewhere. I found the Desire and it overcome the biggest problem of the X10.., the relatively outdated OS version.

Together with a really woolly reply from SE saying the X10 would be released Jan to March.., a week ago.., (not overly good that they don't know their own release dates so close supposedly to release date time when Networks themselves seem to have a better idea). I too am not willing to wait on an OS update that may not happen.., so decision made, I'll go for the Desire.

AND it seems that SE have really messed up.., it looks like the Desire will be released before the X10. Think SE are looking at a loser due to their bad handling of the situation.

 

[bluebirds]

I have just this minute placed my order for the Desire through T-mobile.

 

[saltorio]

I'm still holding out for the X10, because I like what I've seen of it and MediaScape is supposed to be a very well implemented media player (though it lacks graphic EQ). Also because it's the only phone in this class that has been announced as coming to Rogers on plans.

However I am getting fed up with the constant wait. I've heard Rogers reps are getting training on it in mid-April, yet Rogers still hasn't announced a release date, and Sony themselves are dicking around, announcing over Twitter yesterday that they'll be holding a "sneak peak" party... details to come soon. WTF? Just release it already.

In the off chance Rogers gets the Desire (or Incredible) first, I'll more than likely jump on it.

 

[adam.mt]

I have just this minute placed my order for the Desire through T-mobile.

 

[bluebirds]

You can actually get that on the

 

[petjackal]

But what is T-Mobile 3G coverage like in South Wales, Bluebirds? Is it better than o2?

 

[bluebirds]

But what is T-Mobile 3G coverage like in South Wales, Bluebirds? Is it better than o2?

I am currently with o2, but have never been on T-Mobile.
I checked on T-Mobile's online network coverage checker for Bridgend, Cardiff & Newport (which is where I spend most of my time) & they all came up with very good or excelent.
I'll let you know for sure early next week when my phone arrives.

 

[gogol]

Just in today from Gizmodo:
Why We're Not Reviewing the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Yet - Xperia X10 - Gizmodo

You've probably seen some reviews of Sony Ericsson's first Android phone, the Xperia X10, which tries to do something a little different with its custom interface. We've got one, but the software is riddled with strange issues, and Sony Ericsson confirmed to us that when the phone's actually released in "Q2," consumers will be running a muchly updated OS. So! We're gonna wait to we review the phone you're actually going to pay money for.

There you go ... just wait

 

[saltorio]

Seeing as how the phone has started to ship internationally, it's not like they should be waiting long. Afterall, Q2 starts next Thursday.

I'd still like to know what "strange issues" they're experiencing. I know most reviewer got pre-release firmware on their units (bad Sony) which had some known issues that have apparently been fixed (such as lack of landscape keyboard in the SMS messenger).

 

[petjackal]

I think a lot of people in the UK are waiting for both Xperia X10 and HTC Desire to actually be released and then to see details of operators different contracts before finally deciding. It looks like many long time customers of O2 are jumping ship and moving over to T-Mobile. O2 has potentially got a mass exodus of customers - but this is their own fault because they have not provided any detailed information. A big issue has to be network coverage and with the potential for T-Mobile merging with other networks to create super networks, things look good for T-Mobile at the moment. The performance and customer satisfaction with both of these phones is going to be crucial to these companies. Marketing wise, it looks like the Desire just has the edge at the moment.

 

[puppet_master]

I've just ordered the X10 with Vodafone. As far as I'm concerned, I'm missing out on 2 things... (3 if you include AMOLED but this seriously sux in daylight so i'm not counting it) pinch to zoom and 2.1... but what I'm getting over the Desire is a bigger screen, MUCH better camera (all smart-phone cams suck apart from the X10's) and much better media implementation.

Though I may never see pinch to zoom on the X10 (although this is still unclear), I'm fairly sure SE will be pulling out the stops to get 2.1 out ASAP as they NEED this phone to succeed.

The Desire is a seriously sexy phone, but if the X10 was released with 2.1, I don't think any Android phone could stand up to it, so I would say it's AT LEAST on a par with it's rivals

-pup-

 

[saltorio]

Though I may never see pinch to zoom on the X10 (although this is still unclear), I'm fairly sure SE will be pulling out the stops to get 2.1 out ASAP as they NEED this phone to succeed.

No, lack of pinch-zoom is no longer unclear (as of earlier this week). It's official, you won't see it (or any other multi-touch functionality) on the X10, ever, as the hardware is not capable of detecting more than one finger at a time.

With that said, I agree with you comparison for the most part. Had Sony included Android 2.1 (or should they release it soon) it'll at least partly bring the X10 up on a competitive level and people will be harder pressed to take the Desire/N1 over it.

Sony already dropped the ball pretty hard, the question is can they pick it back up and run with it?

 

[crabman]

I was looking at the X10 pretty hard and while multi touch isnt a huge issue with me it was the straw that broke the camels back. I am not trying to determine the likelihood of a NAM desire with AT&Ts freqs and I will likely buy that. If that doesnt work out or will be too far down the road I am going to pick up an N1. Unfortunately I have been on the fence for quite a while and my well traveled diamond is no longer adequate for my needs so I pretty much have to get something and soon even if it isnt exactly what I want.

Edit.... BTW, I would put a desire rom on the N1 the second a fully functional and stable iteration was available.