Can't decide on my first Android

[dvandam]

I am in desperate need of a new phone and I want to get an Android device. Currently I'm with AT&T, so my options are rather limited, but I'm not exactly shot in the butt about the hassle of switching providers just to get a particular phone. I tried out the Moto Droid and Incredible at the local Verizon store, and I felt like the Incredible would be the better option. I wasn't a fan of the Droid's keyboard and I found the Incredible to be more responsive and preferred the way that Sense looked over the stock Android UI.

I've read that the HTC Desire is coming to AT&T, but information on this has been severely lacking. No date has been set and I've heard more information about this phone coming everywhere EXCEPT for the US. Also, since AT&T has been open about locking down Android phones, I feel like I'd HAVE to root a Desire just to get basic functionality out of it (remove what I want, install what I want within reason) as opposed to enhancing existing functionality.

As I said, I'm not big on switching providers, but I will if I have to. That said, my preference in providers from most to least would be Verizon by far, and then Sprint then T-Mobile.

I'm starting to get the feeling that the Nexus One is my best option with AT&T, but $529+ for a phone (I've never purchased an unlocked phone and always got the phones discounted with the contracts) is a pretty steep asking price for me. Of course, the N1 does have advantages of getting updates with the least delay, apparently having lots of rooting abilities, and still is a powerful piece of hardware. On the flip side of that, I can't go and try out a N1 at a store, and have to "hope" that I love the phone enough and that there aren't any deal-breakers that force me to return it/sell it and take a hit, not to mention require me to spend MORE money on another phone.

So given this screwy situation, what do you all think is my best option? As I said, I'd prefer to stick with AT&T, but with their Android offerings being what they are, should I just bite the bullet and jump ship to get more of the latest and greatest Android phones?

 

[t-readyroc]

Stick it out through the Summer if you can. I'm on AT&T & have been waiting since last Fall for a decent Android offering, but there are lots of rumblings of Summer launches.

 

[takeshi]

Currently I'm with AT&T, so my options are rather limited, but I'm not exactly shot in the butt about the hassle of switching providers just to get a particular phone.

Switching for a phone is always a bad idea. You should always select the carrier first, based on real world coverage where you need it.

 

[Bnice]

I am in desperate need of a new phone and I want to get an Android device. Currently I'm with AT&T, so my options are rather limited, but I'm not exactly shot in the butt about the hassle of switching providers just to get a particular phone. I tried out the Moto Droid and Incredible at the local Verizon store, and I felt like the Incredible would be the better option. I wasn't a fan of the Droid's keyboard and I found the Incredible to be more responsive and preferred the way that Sense looked over the stock Android UI.

I've read that the HTC Desire is coming to AT&T, but information on this has been severely lacking. No date has been set and I've heard more information about this phone coming everywhere EXCEPT for the US. Also, since AT&T has been open about locking down Android phones, I feel like I'd HAVE to root a Desire just to get basic functionality out of it (remove what I want, install what I want within reason) as opposed to enhancing existing functionality.

As I said, I'm not big on switching providers, but I will if I have to. That said, my preference in providers from most to least would be Verizon by far, and then Sprint then T-Mobile.

I'm starting to get the feeling that the Nexus One is my best option with AT&T, but $529+ for a phone (I've never purchased an unlocked phone and always got the phones discounted with the contracts) is a pretty steep asking price for me. Of course, the N1 does have advantages of getting updates with the least delay, apparently having lots of rooting abilities, and still is a powerful piece of hardware. On the flip side of that, I can't go and try out a N1 at a store, and have to "hope" that I love the phone enough and that there aren't any deal-breakers that force me to return it/sell it and take a hit, not to mention require me to spend MORE money on another phone.

So given this screwy situation, what do you all think is my best option? As I said, I'd prefer to stick with AT&T, but with their Android offerings being what they are, should I just bite the bullet and jump ship to get more of the latest and greatest Android phones?

Stay where your at and get a phone with the carrier your with.

 

[dvandam]

Stick it out through the Summer if you can. I'm on AT&T & have been waiting since last Fall for a decent Android offering, but there are lots of rumblings of Summer launches.

I don't know about that.. Do you really see AT&T launching a big Android offering around the same time as the next iPhone? I don't see them launching a Desire or other high-end Android phone to take away from Apple's thunder..

 

[t-readyroc]

Depends on whether or not they stick to their original press release, I guess (which said 1H '10). But, iirc (correct me if I'm wrong here), the iPhone will be announced next month, but availability won't come until September'ish?

**Edit - correction; looks like the 3GS was available a couple of weeks after announcement at WWDC

 

[dvandam]

Depends on whether or not they stick to their original press release, I guess (which said 1H '10). But, iirc (correct me if I'm wrong here), the iPhone will be announced next month, but availability won't come until September'ish?

**Edit - correction; looks like the 3GS was available a couple of weeks after announcement at WWDC

Also, don't forget that all the iPhones have come out in June or July, and I don't see them discontinuing this trend.

 

[t-readyroc]

Well, yeah, that's what I meant when I referenced WWDC, which is June 7-11. Similar dates for last year, with retail availability ~2wks later.

I still wouldn't rule out AT&T releasing at least 1 more Android device next month, along with at least 1 more by the end of the Summer, though...

 

[DROIDdidME]

I switched from T Mobile and opened up an account at Verizon for me and my wife. We're still waiting on our Incredibles to arrive!

 

[dvandam]

I switched from T Mobile and opened up an account at Verizon for me and my wife. We're still waiting on our Incredibles to arrive!

You won't be disappointed. If I jump to Verizon, it'll definitely be for that phone.

 

[HustlinDaily]

One great thing about AT&T is that they are the largest GSM network in the country.

As a result, you do not have to buy phones in their system, just phones that work with their system (3G 850MHz/1900MHz. 1900 being the stronger).

Acer Liquid- $360 unlocked online (what I got, works with the 1900MHz 3G only on this one. tho one that works with both and 2.1 preloaded is coming to Canada, no clue on pricing. Won't be that low.)
Nexus One- $529 unlocked+tax (if Google "operates in your area") (probably the best one)
Motorola Milestone (Euro/Canadian Droid)- $600
HTC Hero- $530
Xperia X10- $600

Best thing is, you are free of contracts and AT&T lockdowns (tho Canadian phones might have Canadian carrier bloatwares and ish).


Or you could just wait and hope for the best.

 

[DROIDdidME]

You won't be disappointed. If I jump to Verizon, it'll definitely be for that phone.

Yea we're pretty excited about it...I've heard awesome things about this phone. To be honest, even if it's half as good as people are saying it will still be leaps and bounds over the Android devices that were offered to us while we were with T Mobile...So I'm positive my wife and I will be happy campers. The better, faster network offered by Verizon is just the icing on the cake

 

[Thefoodman52]

On AT&T, you guys got the Nexus One available. Try that one.

 

[dvandam]

On AT&T, you guys got the Nexus One available. Try that one.

I'm just worried about the Nexus One because there's no way for me to try it out before I purchase it. Also, what's the deal with returning it? I read these horror stories about insane return fees, but they seemed to be more prevalent early on with the device, and according to their terms of sale, they only charge $45 (unless you forget to send back EVERYTHING.) I'm assuming I wouldn't be subject to the Equipment Recovery Fee since I'm not getting it subsidized via T-Mobile. Let's not forget I only get 14 days to run the gambit with this device. I also heard that the device has issues connecting to 3G. Is that ALL 3G networks or just T-Mobiles? I'm assuming the latter, since I can't imagine tons of people recommending a phone that is constantly chained to 2.5G.

Another thing that doesn't help is that I'm VERY impatient when it comes to stuff like this, and I'm going to be rather annoyed if I find out come late summer that nothing better was coming out for AT&T and I had to stick out with my Q9h all that time for nothing. As I said, I was holding out hope for the Desire, but the lack of news about this device (along with AT&T's infamous locking down of Android Devices) has soured my enthusiasm a bit. That said, if I throw down $529+ for this thing, and then it turns out if I just waited 30 days and could have gotten a Desire for $200 with a new contract, I will be quite the unhappy camper unless the N1 proves to be SOOO much better than the Desire that I don't care, and from what I've read, the Desire is one of the Top 3 Android phones out there.

 

[dvandam]

After much debate and soul searching, I decided to stick with AT&T and get the N1. I wasn't shot in the ass about switching providers as I mentioned, and while Verizon and Sprint did have their benefits, I had cost concerns about the former and coverage concerns with the latter, two issues I don't really have with AT&T. I didn't even consider T-Mobile because their 3G coverage in my state is so bad that it resembles AT&T's 3G coverage from 2+ years ago. Also I was able to reduce $30 a month off my current AT&T bill, so saving $360 a year does ease my up front costs a little bit. It's also good that I'm not extending my contract in order to do this. The free overnight shipping is quite sweet as well.

One last question. When I get the phone, how do I get it up and running? Do I just pop in my sim card from my old AT&T phone and I'm good to go, or is there more to it than that?

 

[HustlinDaily]

Yup pop in your old sim card, link it to go your Google account and all is good.

 

[safeplayer22]

Nexus One if you want a phone NOW. the $529+ is well worth it. Remember you will be contract free and that means if you don't like the nexus one anymore, you can sell it in the future (probably still for a decent price) and switch carrier without any problems.

 

[dvandam]

Yup pop in your old sim card, link it to go your Google account and all is good.

Cool. Also, when it comes to charging it the first time, do I just need to charge it until the phone says it's fully charged, or do I need to do an overnight/24 hours thing for the first charge?

 

[HustlinDaily]

For my Acer, first charge was 8 hours. Instructions will tell you how long it should be. More than likely it will be overnight.

 

[dvandam]

The instructions just say:

"Before you can use your phone, you must charge it fully, until the status light turns green"

To me, that could be something like 2 hours. Is that really sufficient? I hope that it is, since I will be very anxious to try out this phone as soon as possible.

 

[IOWA]

Id say drop att. Worst 3g network of the big 3.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[HustlinDaily]

He bought a Nexus so he has to stay on AT&T.

Honestly, I haven't had any of the 3G coverage problems on AT&T (except at my house but I use WiFi there). Coverage throughout Houston is pretty good (and out was good in Cali back when I used to live there).

Besides GSM is better than CDMA. Much easier to drop in a sim than have networks flashed over.



Sent from my Liquid using Tapatalk

 

[IOWA]

GSM actually is not better than CDMA.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[Thefoodman52]

Indeed. They both have their... issues.

 

[HustlinDaily]

Not better per se but more convenient. As previously stated, I have fast 3G in every area I have lived at.



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