Need Advice on Whether or Not to get Droid

[elchip]

So last Friday I went out and bought a Droid Eris.

I really like the sleek interface, and I like the fact that it has 9 'home' screens vs. the Android's 3. I like some of the default HTC widgets, like the combined clock/weather.

I really don't like the battery life. It would be nice if I could consolidate my MP3 player and phone, but with crappy battery life and 8 GB of memory, the Eris doesn't cut it.

Also, when I've played with the regular Droid in the store, it seemed to load webpages faster and such. (Maybe it was my imagination.)

So, here's my conundrum: Should I eat the $35 restocking fee and pay another $100 for the Droid? Or should I keep the Eris? I'm interested in being sold on one or the other.

 

[DrDroid]

So last Friday I went out and bought a Droid Eris.

I really like the sleek interface, and I like the fact that it has 9 'home' screens vs. the Android's 3. I like some of the default HTC widgets, like the combined clock/weather.

I really don't like the battery life. It would be nice if I could consolidate my MP3 player and phone, but with crappy battery life and 8 GB of memory, the Eris doesn't cut it.

Also, when I've played with the regular Droid in the store, it seemed to load webpages faster and such. (Maybe it was my imagination.)

So, here's my conundrum: Should I eat the $35 restocking fee and pay another $100 for the Droid? Or should I keep the Eris? I'm interested in being sold on one or the other.

I love the Droid, the bigger screen and the resolution that sets it apart from all other Android phones, it's made of metal, not some HTC plastic. Feels like a tank. No way I'm trading it for anything less.

look at the Droid boot up... so cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBuLij0l7SU&feature=player_embedded

 

[K-vette]

I had to make the same choice, Eris or Droid and at the last minute I went Droid. I don't regret it. I spent all of one night downloading and customizing songs, then changing all the ringtones. I hate the cheesy tones that come preloaded on phones. The wallpaper was next. Aside from the pinch-to-zoom feature on the Eris, that was the only feature that I felt I would miss, and having the Driod in hand - I don't.

I read one comment from someone that 'girls' wouldn't go for this phone. Well, I'm a woman and I love it. Obviously I won't be sticking it in my pocket as much as a guy, but I have - and no, the back did not fall off and it isn't much larger than the Samsung Omnia I was previously using. Or that much heavier. People need to get over size issues. It's the corners that make it formidable, it's actually not that much larger. It's also pretty sturdy.

Performance is solid, speed is great, battery is comparable to the iPhone. It blows my old Omnia out of the water. I have to get used to the touch keypad - I can't use my nails. Oh well. I'll live. I love the phone so I'm learning, fast I might add. I picked up the Omnia and thought it was broken when I tried to use the pad of my finger. Oops...

The Driod works great for me. I'm still working through everything and enjoying it. This is the first phone I've ever had that has satisfied me enough that I know in 3 months I won't be tired of it. I don't have the option of the iPhone where I live because it doesn't work here (people come up here, flash their iPhones around and then I hand them my phone to make an actual call) but I've played with their phones. Droid does what theirs does and it's mine. 'Nuff said. The final decision is all yours.

 

[jdphenom316]

The Droid is by far the best phone I have ever used. I finally am not jealous of iPhone users. I wouldn't ever leave Verizon and now I am happy to stay!! Get the Droid, you will be happy!

 

[FireRunner]

If the Eris battery is draining on you make sure you're turning off features you're not using like Wi-Fi and apps. Those things drain the battery very quickly.

 

[dannydoes]

I've never touched the Eris so I can't compare but I'll give a quick review of the features that make me happy with the Droid... I am very addicted to this phone. The internet is fast, the screen is gorgeous, and just as responsive as the Iphone. Because it's thin, the size doesn't bother me. I actually like the sliding keyboard and can type very fast on it, even with my big thumbs. The keyboard was very important to me. I've found some amazing games to play. The buttons are well placed and it will never accidentally dial or turn on. I love the feel of the phone, it gives the sense that it is a high end device. It's sturdy and appealing. It's extremely customizable and fun to do so. My only two complaints... The camera is the worst feature on the phone and an embarrassment to the manufacturer. ...and to make a call, you have go at least 5 menus deep just to get to the call log, or hit at least 3 menus deep to call from contacts.

 

[elchip]

Well, I went out and bought it. I was pissed at the Eris' battery life, and yesterday pushed me over the edge.

I do miss the Sense UI a little bit, but I'm getting over it. What annoys me the most is the fact that there are only 3 home screens (as opposed to Sense's 7) so that will get annoying as more apps are developed. At least it's easy to bring up a list of all the programs apps.

The touchscreen also seems to be a little un-sensitive. I can't find an option to change the sensitivity, is there one?

 

[virtus]

My only two complaints... The camera is the worst feature on the phone and an embarrassment to the manufacturer. ...and to make a call, you have go at least 5 menus deep just to get to the call log, or hit at least 3 menus deep to call from contacts.

Hopefully the camera will be fixed with the Dec 11 update.

To call from contacts with one click just make a shortcut to the contacts on your home screen. You can also click and hold the home screen, choose add Folders, and select "All contacts". If you want a folder with just your favorites, scroll down and select "Starred Contacts" instead.

 

[Newton1221]

i can honestly say that the droid is the best phone i have ever used, i would take it over any phone even the iphone, it has some quirks that take getting used to and it isnt the most intuitive phone ever but the way i look at it is that its like a muscle car, no its not going to have the perks of a high end luxury vehicle but if you can handle the qwerks then it'll blow the doors off anything you can put up against it, i'll be honest, this phone is not for everyone, my mom for instance was really looking into getting one before it came out but after messing with it and what not its just not for her, the phone is big, heavy, and powerful, so if you the most raw muscle and pure potential out of your phone then go for the droid, if your looking for something thats gonna be easy on you and not ever throw you a few curve balls then go with something else

 

[dw0095]

I've never touched the Eris so I can't compare but I'll give a quick review of the features that make me happy with the Droid... I am very addicted to this phone. The internet is fast, the screen is gorgeous, and just as responsive as the Iphone. Because it's thin, the size doesn't bother me. I actually like the sliding keyboard and can type very fast on it, even with my big thumbs. The keyboard was very important to me. I've found some amazing games to play. The buttons are well placed and it will never accidentally dial or turn on. I love the feel of the phone, it gives the sense that it is a high end device. It's sturdy and appealing. It's extremely customizable and fun to do so. My only two complaints... The camera is the worst feature on the phone and an embarrassment to the manufacturer. ...and to make a call, you have go at least 5 menus deep just to get to the call log, or hit at least 3 menus deep to call from contacts.

If you have space on one of the homescreens, you can add a shortcut to your favorite contacts...either direct dial their phone or bring up their contact info.
Works great. I dedicated the far left homescreen to it and it holds my top 16. Just hold your finger on a blank space and create a shortcut.

 

[dw0095]

Well, I went out and bought it. I was pissed at the Eris' battery life, and yesterday pushed me over the edge.

I do miss the Sense UI a little bit, but I'm getting over it. What annoys me the most is the fact that there are only 3 home screens (as opposed to Sense's 7) so that will get annoying as more apps are developed. At least it's easy to bring up a list of all the programs apps.

The touchscreen also seems to be a little un-sensitive. I can't find an option to change the sensitivity, is there one?

Create a folder on the homescreen and put apps in there if you run out of real estate.

 

[dw0095]

Another thing I found out today is that you can use regular stereo headphones and make a phone call listening through the headphones. I was out for a walk with the phone down by by hip walking and talking with my headphones on. The other end could hear me without a problem.

pretty cool.

 

[dmgabe]

Well, I went out and bought it. I was pissed at the Eris' battery life, and yesterday pushed me over the edge.

I do miss the Sense UI a little bit, but I'm getting over it. What annoys me the most is the fact that there are only 3 home screens (as opposed to Sense's 7) so that will get annoying as more apps are developed. At least it's easy to bring up a list of all the programs apps.

The touchscreen also seems to be a little un-sensitive. I can't find an option to change the sensitivity, is there one?

This can be solved with apps. Although most of the home replacement options are still adding droid support it won't be long before they are updated. Things like Panda home and ahome allow you to change the UI and add more home screens. You might also want to check out Beautiful Widgets, it give you the htc style clock and weather and looks amazing on the big droid screen.

 

[yukongt300ex]

If I understood the rep right, if you return the phone, wait a day, and then go get the moto droid you will not be charged a restocking fee. I think the fee only applies to an "exchange". Someone let me know if this is incorrect.

So go get the Droid!

 

[aquastorm]

From my experience the Droid Eris is the better phone/device but yes Android 2.0 is way better than 1.5 which is on the Eris. Supposedly 2.0 is coming to the Eris which takes away the major selling point for the Droid. The Droid in my opinion is a poorly designed phone with a great operating system on it.

I regret buying the Droid over the Eris because the Droid is a pain to use, hold, talk on etc... I suggest going to the store and messing around with the Droid.. Try picking it up and using the unlock button.... pull out the keyboard and type on it and notice how uncomfortable it is and nearly useless and I think you will have your answer.

 

[dmgabe]

I suggest going to the store and messing around with the Droid.. Try picking it up and using the unlock button.... pull out the keyboard and type on it and notice how uncomfortable it is and nearly useless and I think you will have your answer.

This is the best option. Everyone will feel different about the phone, for instance I don't have any trouble with either of these points mentioned above. It is really hard to tell you what is right. The droid would be my pick, better software, more powerful hardware. The UI can be tweaked to make it as much like the HTC as you like. No easy answer to you dilemma.

 

[LarryMcJ]

So last Friday I went out and bought a Droid Eris.

I really like the sleek interface, and I like the fact that it has 9 'home' screens vs. the Android's 3. I like some of the default HTC widgets, like the combined clock/weather.

I really don't like the battery life. It would be nice if I could consolidate my MP3 player and phone, but with crappy battery life and 8 GB of memory, the Eris doesn't cut it.

Also, when I've played with the regular Droid in the store, it seemed to load webpages faster and such. (Maybe it was my imagination.)

So, here's my conundrum: Should I eat the $35 restocking fee and pay another $100 for the Droid? Or should I keep the Eris? I'm interested in being sold on one or the other.

The VZW rep I spoke with may have been telling me something he shouldn't have, but he said to RETURN the Eris (which I did) and then come back after 48+ hours and PURCHASE the Droid...or any other phone...and there is no restocking fee. This can supposedly be done more than once. I'm going to try the Droid tomorrow and if I'm as unhappy with it as I was the Eris I'll get the Storm 2 to replace my current BB.

 

[elchip]

The VZW rep I spoke with may have been telling me something he shouldn't have, but he said to RETURN the Eris (which I did) and then come back after 48+ hours and PURCHASE the Droid...or any other phone...and there is no restocking fee. This can supposedly be done more than once. I'm going to try the Droid tomorrow and if I'm as unhappy with it as I was the Eris I'll get the Storm 2 to replace my current BB.

I had already cut out the mail-in rebate and thrown away the box, so I couldn't return the Eris. In fact, the only way I was able to exchange it at all is because the guy who sold me the phone said that the Eris had voice turn-by-turn directions... and it didn't. So she let me exchange it because I had been misinformed.

 

[LarryMcJ]

I had already cut out the mail-in rebate and thrown away the box, so I couldn't return the Eris. In fact, the only way I was able to exchange it at all is because the guy who sold me the phone said that the Eris had voice turn-by-turn directions... and it didn't. So she let me exchange it because I had been misinformed.

Ah...I never do that for at least a week to ensure I can return whatever product it is. The rebate isn't that important that it can't wait. Glad you were able to still return it though. Amazing how little these reps know about the phone.

 

[Droid_Junky]

I purchased Open Home. It takes a little while to figure it out, but I now have 7 screens. I found that even if you can't fill them up, just put one item on each screen. Then reboot the phone. It defaults into the regular OS 3 screens then select Open Home. All 7 screens are just as smooth as the default 3 but only if there is an item on each screen. Since I don't have Open Home as the default you can swap between the two and change the look of the phone very quickly.

I also purchased the Weather Widgets that give you the animated weather. Seems to work fine.

Snesoid is awesome if you love oldschool games.

I setup Qik last night and was streaming live video in minutes to my PC!

I've been attached to the phone non-stop since last Friday!

 

[argylecyclist]

I regret buying the Droid over the Eris because the Droid is a pain to use, hold, talk on etc... I suggest going to the store and messing around with the Droid.. Try picking it up and using the unlock button.... pull out the keyboard and type on it and notice how uncomfortable it is and nearly useless and I think you will have your answer.

No sense in remaining unhappy when you have the power to change it. Return the Droid. You'll be happier and we'll be happier because we won't have to listen to you complain again and again about the unlock button and the keyboard.

I really do hope the Eris (or whatever phone you end up with) is a better experience for you. I had the Storm 1 for a while, so I understand what it feels like to be continually frustrated with your phone.

And for the original poster of this thread. The best advice is to play with the phone and then ask a lot of questions. Watch droid videos on youtube.com as they demonstrate the user interface and a lot of the features.

 

[dannydoes]

Which weather widgets give you the animated maps? I've got weather bug, which says it has animated maps, but I couldn't get them to animate.

 

[Droid_Junky]

You have to purchase Weather widget (donate). then download the weather widgets extra. You get the animated weather but the clock does not appear to flip like on the Hero. I was hoping there were more clock options but I haven't found them yet.

 

[roastedpepper]

My mom just got an iPhone and she told me if I wanted she would get me one for Christmas. I have Verizon and I've heard pretty bad things about AT&T so when I heard about the Droid coming out I thought about looking into it instead. However I have heard rumors of major bugs with the phones. I'm a big texter and phone user so if I can't use my phone all the time it's a big issue. Has anyone had issues with the Droid? Please be honest I don't want to make a mistake getting a lemon for a phone. Also is this a good phone for a person who texts a lot? I've never had a smart phone before.
Thanks!

 

[BigBoochdaddy]

AT&T is infamous for dropped calls. I've only had the droid for a day and haven't had a problem yet. I've probably sent about 100 texts and it is great for texting.