• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Is our phone being left behind?

Todd M

Android Enthusiast
Apr 7, 2010
271
39
In the 712
Is the Incredible being left behind? I know all the news lately has been Droid X, and deservedly so. I remember the same thing happening when the Incredible rumors were out there, so I am fine with that.

However, in all the trade publications, even the 2.2 rumor mill (I know the Inc is slated to get it) the Incredible is rarely mentioned. Also, with the production issues between HTC and Samsung, the Incredible still isn't shipping and the X will probably be out before they get them back in production.

I feel like VZW will drop the Incredible (and all references to it) as soon as the X hits the street. But, that's just my humble opinion.

Hope mine lasts for 16 more months. I LOVE my Incredible, and it has been treating me great. I just hope it's not a relic already... :thinking:
 
my gut feeling is there's a good chance you're right.

it's frustrating because, after seeing all the support from HTC and developers for phones like the touchpro, one of the main reasons i decided on the incredible was i didn't think it would become an orphan phone very quickly. i went through that painful experience once already with the omnia - fortunately, the omnia was popular enough in europe that accessories were widely available.

that said, if i can get a couple docks, a tv out cable, and an extended battery, even if the incredible does become an orphan, it'll be one that i can live with comfortably until my next upgrade. i LOVE the amoled screen, i love that my blacks are BLACK. i'm not wild about the pentile matrixing, but i can live with it.

so come on with the docks and tv out cables, HTC, or i will be VERY put out.
 
Upvote 0
I thought the Droid may be forgotten too, but here are reasons it probably is not:

1. Verizon are still airing commericals on TV for the Inc. The Inc was on a few channels yesterday and every day prior (that I recall). added: Verizon would not pay for this expensive airtime if they were dumping it. People in their marketing would likely be fired for wasting money on a dead device.

2. The size of the device is more friendly to more people than X. X will cater more to media fans.

3. By the time X releases, supply channels will be filling again with Incredibles, but with the Sony LCD displays.

A lot of folks will appreciate the clearer text on the LCD. Sony makes very good LCD displays.

BTW,

As fast as the tech is moving, all phones are relics- as soon as released ;)
 
Upvote 0
I thought the Droid may be forgotten too, but here are reasons it probably is not:

1. Verizon are still airing commericals on TV for the Inc. The Inc was on a few channels yesterday and every day prior (that I recall). added: Verizon would not pay for this expensive airtime if they were dumping it. People in their marketing would likely be fired for wasting money on a dead device.

2. The size of the device is more friendly to more people than X. X will cater more to media fans.

3. By the time X releases, supply channels will be filling again with Incredibles, but with the Sony LCD displays.

A lot of folks will appreciate the clearer text on the LCD. Sony makes very good LCD displays.

BTW,

As fast as the tech is moving, all phones are relics- as soon as released ;)

i know there's at least one commercial that specifically mentions the amoled screen. guess they won't be running that one anymore.
 
Upvote 0
I dont think the phone is going to be left behind.

I think part of the reason were not hearing anything in the rumor mill about 2.2 is that htc already said were getting it 2nd half of this year, obviously thats not the most specific timeframe, but theres just nothing new to report.

there are new things to report on when the new phone is released and people are speculating about when 2.2 will come for it in relation to motorola's other phones etc. HTC doesnt really have that issue cause correct me if im wrong, but there isnt another HTC phone thats being pushed now on verizon to the degree of the incredible.

I agree with the points about the market for this phone...it appeals to people who arent looking for a 4.3 inch screen, and who like the sleekness of the phone compared the droid, or droid 2 when that comes down the pipe.

Add that to the commitment theyve made with the multiple commercials/ad campaigns, and I dont think the incredible is going anywhere. It may be learning to share the spotlight, but I think this particular phone is on its way out.

One thing that might happen, as suggested in this article which makes a few good points, (Verizon allowing Droid Incredible pre-orders to be changed into Moto Droid X pre-orders? Unwired View) is the verizon will be less likely to tap HTC for future phones because of the lack of availability theyve been able to give verizon.

I'm sure verizon has decided that it is "unacceptable" how tough it is to find their most recent "flagship" phone.
 
Upvote 0
Don't be so quick to think verizon is upset with htc. Although not ideal situation I think it is safe to say incredible has outperformed expectations. Also have you noticed people are still waiting 4 weeks to get one. I think verizon understands more tham customers do.

Having any incredible commercials when X release is getting closer should speak volumes.
 
Upvote 0
I believe you may be right BUT the size of the Droid X (and the EVO) is too big for some people. So for people who don't want to walk around with a huge phone, the Incredible is the top choice.

I didn't buy the original Droid, mostly for the reason of it's just too big for me and secondly because I wanted a better phone. Originally I bought the Eris and was under the impression it was a better phone for a while... until the Incredible came out. I was able to get a Dinc a couple months after I got my Eris and gave my Eris to my brother. I got the phone because of the size and the ease of fitting it in my pocket... one of the same reasons I went to the Dinc and didn't wait for a new Droid. I also saw the Evo at Best Buy the other day and that thing is like a freakin' iPad. Dont' get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great phone, but in comparison to the Dinc, it's just too big. It seems a lot wider and a lot taller. I couldn't ask for the size of the Dinc to be anymore perfect. I don't need to carry a PC around in my pocket. I don't need to be able to watch full length movies on it. I just want a decent looking screen at a decent size. I feel like the more we get into Android phones (or any phone for that matter) the screen is going to be getting bigger.

So riddle me this... as laptops are getting smaller, why are cell phones getting so much bigger? Thinner? Absolutely. But what's the need for such a big screen?

Anyway, I'm off track. Even if the Dinc goes the way of the Dodo, it's still the best phone I've ever had and will keep me buying HTC and Android phones in the future. I'm totally sold.
 
Upvote 0
There's no reason to drop the Incredible. It sells far too well and they've put a ton of money into advertising it. Like it or not, the Droid Incredible is Verizon's most iPhone-like phone and they love that. Verizon didn't drop the Droid when the Incredible came out, even though the Incredible was a better phone. The Droid X is more advanced than the Incredible, but it doesn't make the Incredible bad.

The Droid X also fills the much needed gap for an extra large phone on Verizon, since Sprint and T-Mobile have the Evo and HD2. There are plenty of people who don't want something that big, and for those people the Incredible is an excellent choice. Because of this, neither device can really replace each other, they fill different niches.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ikediggety
Upvote 0
The phone won't be 'left behind'. Just because other phones are being marketed doesn't mean anything. New phones are always around the corner. Nature of the beast.

But you can't expect to be breast fed for the full 2 years. This is natural for most phones. They start high priority and eventually fall down the chain. If you can't handle this, you are probably best getting an iPhone. Considering we are getting 2.2, we should be very grateful.

Verizon knows their is a massive demand for a 3.7" screen. There are A LOT of folks who will not settle for phones as large/heavy as the evo, let alone the X.

:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: NNN and jayjay1122
Upvote 0
I think the comment above:
As fast as the tech is moving, all phones are relics- as soon as released
should be emphasized. I've recently come off the bad events surrounding the Samsung Behold 2 and now quite happy with the DI, but I suppose every enthusiast should be aware that this market is moving at a hyper rate. I've never really seen anything like it before, even desktop machines did not accelerate at this pace. It is certainly incompatible with a 2 year upgrade frequency and I suspect it is being exacerbated by the walled fortresses that mobile companies have put up to corral their customers.

I suspect things will settle down once Android get closer to "feature-complete" and I think the Incredible does have legs and should be able to keep up for a good long while. As long as it will continue to run the app software, the device will stay useful, though other devices will come along and be shinier, different displays, etc. The biggest issues will occur if Android adds "must-have" features that the DI cannot support due to design. If that happens... well we'll just see. Fortunately "must-have" features are different for everyone, so I remain hopeful that the DI has the legs to stay useful to me for a good 6-9 months (though suspect by 12 months, there is likely certain to be some device that will be irresistible.
 
Upvote 0
The guy at the Verizon store told me that if I had more than 2 lines on my plan I could upgrade my phone every year. For the extra $9.99 a month, I'm actually considering doing it with an old phone and activating it on a new number. Does anyone know if this is actually true or was he blowing smoke up my ass?

he's trying to get commission off of your new line. anyone on a 59.99 plan or higher gets a yearly upgrade regardless of the number of lines on the account. The only difference between the yearly and two year is usually a $50 difference in the phone price. Also "new every two" usually gives you a few extra bucks off. He gets the same comm. on a yearly as a two year upgrade, but he gets double that for a new line (which an add-a-line is considered). you did good to check on here before adding the new line :D
 
Upvote 0
he's trying to get commission off of your new line. anyone on a 59.99 plan or higher gets a yearly upgrade regardless of the number of lines on the account. The only difference between the yearly and two year is usually a $50 difference in the phone price.

So that's how it works? I might have to talk to them then. I think my little upgrade-o-meter thing they've got on the Verizon site still says 18-19 months (though it was nice that I just launched as a customer this month and they knocked off several months for it.) I might not be at $60 though.. I'll have to check my plan.

EDIT: Yeah I've got a 59.99 plan and it's saying there's no upgrade for 19 months. Do I need to bug them about it?
 
Upvote 0
The upgrade meter is for your new every 2. What they don't promote is the early updgrade which I believe is after a year. You have to pay contract price which is heavilly discounted by 1-300 dollars usually. (199 for the dinc contract price) The meter is what qualifies you for the 100 discount TBH, I don't think I have ever taken advantage of the new every 2. It's kind of a scam since they offer mail-in rebates now. They make you take the mail in rebate and whatever the mail in is worth they subtract from the new every 2 promotion. I usually upgrade once a year, and if I really want a new phone I take one my other upgrades from the other 3 accounts I have. My family doesn't do smartphones so I can literally updgrade almost anytime!
 
Upvote 0
he's trying to get commission off of your new line. anyone on a 59.99 plan or higher gets a yearly upgrade regardless of the number of lines on the account. The only difference between the yearly and two year is usually a $50 difference in the phone price. Also "new every two" usually gives you a few extra bucks off. He gets the same comm. on a yearly as a two year upgrade, but he gets double that for a new line (which an add-a-line is considered). you did good to check on here before adding the new line :D

Is there restrictions with family plans and what not? Because like the guy above me, my meter says 16 months and my wife's isn't until February and she's dying to get a Droid. I've never heard of this...
 
Upvote 0
All I care about is accessories. I bought the Incredible over other Android phones because of the tv-out feature. Seriously, my last HTC phone had it and I hard-wired that to my car and built a carpc front end app for it. I would love to have Google Nav w/ satellite over-lay in my car's stereo.

It has been two months now and still no tv-out cable from Verizon.
 
Upvote 0
The upgrade meter is for your new every 2. What they don't promote is the early updgrade which I believe is after a year. You have to pay contract price which is heavilly discounted by 1-300 dollars usually. (199 for the dinc contract price) The meter is what qualifies you for the 100 discount TBH, I don't think I have ever taken advantage of the new every 2. It's kind of a scam since they offer mail-in rebates now. They make you take the mail in rebate and whatever the mail in is worth they subtract from the new every 2 promotion. I usually upgrade once a year, and if I really want a new phone I take one my other upgrades from the other 3 accounts I have. My family doesn't do smartphones so I can literally updgrade almost anytime!

Weird question. I have a 59.99 plan, but I have a discount on my monthly bill because of my employer. So I pay roughly 50$ instead of the full 59$. Would anyone know if I still qualify, since I am not paying the 59.99$ a month, but still have that plan?
 
Upvote 0
Weird question. I have a 59.99 plan, but I have a discount on my monthly bill because of my employer. So I pay roughly 50$ instead of the full 59$. Would anyone know if I still qualify, since I am not paying the 59.99$ a month, but still have that plan?

yes you still qualify for early upgrades and new every 2. I get a 23% disount through my company and I still get all the promos.
 
Upvote 0
Unfortunately that's the facts of life with cellphones nowaday...the moment it's out, it will be obsolete, same goes for Droid X. Once it's out and all the reviews are in..the buzz is over...then people will focus on the next phone..Samsung Galaxy (verizon version) or Samsung Epic or HTC with quad processors..etc. I used to think Computers get outdated fast but aging cycle on cellphones is making computers look relatively stable...and pretty depressing for people that are trying to have the latest and greatest. :(
 
Upvote 0
The guy at the Verizon store told me that if I had more than 2 lines on my plan I could upgrade my phone every year. For the extra $9.99 a month, I'm actually considering doing it with an old phone and activating it on a new number. Does anyone know if this is actually true or was he blowing smoke up my ass?

I think the catch is the data plan- you would need the $30 data plan for it to work.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones