Droid Bionic or Samsung Galaxy S II?

[droidfan1]

The GS2 looks mighty fine. It's gonna be good to have choices.

Just need them to come out already.

 

[rushmore]

VZW is pressuring all OEMs to lock their roms down, so moot point, perhaps for all.

 

[jroc]

^I think the Xoom and its unlockable/relockable bootloader is a silver lining. We just have to see how this plays out in the coming months.

 

[redraider1]

VZW is pressuring all OEMs to lock their roms down, so moot point, perhaps for all.

No they are not. Moto does that on their own if it was verizon why are moto's phones locked down on sprint and at&t also? Come on its on the manufacturers. Samsung unlocked the droid charge you think if verizon was pressuring as you say they would let their droid line be unlocked??

 

[shadowdude777]

^I think the Xoom and its unlockable/relockable bootloader is a silver lining. We just have to see how this plays out in the coming months.

The Xoom is also a tablet, and a device that you buy off-contract. I'm guessing Moto/VZW look at it differently, for some reason? I can't figure out WHY they look at it differently, of course.

The unlockable bootloader is the best setup that's been introduced yet. It satisfies the whole "we're keeping you safe!" argument Moto/VZW put out there, and it lets people actually do things with their phones if they want to.

 

[rushmore]

No they are not. Moto does that on their own if it was verizon why are moto's phones locked down on sprint and at&t also? Come on its on the manufacturers. Samsung unlocked the droid charge you think if verizon was pressuring as you say they would let their droid line be unlocked??

The issue going around the background is wifi tether. VZW wants people paying extra for the function. If pressure is relieved, it will be due to the LTE market and the proliferation of the snoop IC in the chipsets.

This is a reason some people are already reporting getting caught. The LTE chipset has a built in policing function.

 

[droidfan1]

So say that tethering = people can be caught doing it on LTE phones.

Does that now mean that all new LTE phones will have unlocked bootloaders?

No. But it helps.

 

[redraider1]

The issue going around the background is wifi tether. VZW wants people paying extra for the function. If pressure is relieved, it will be due to the LTE market and the proliferation of the snoop IC in the chipsets.

This is a reason some people are already reporting getting caught. The LTE chipset has a built in policing function.

What the hell are you talking about? I said bootloaders are locked on all carriers what does that have to do with lte? Or even verizon for that matter since they are locked on at&t and sprint too.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

The other day, I played with my friend's HTC Sensation. In case you're wondering, it's everything it's been hyped up to be. I didn't get to play with it extensively, but it's everything you could want in a phone. As it was the first day, I have no idea about battery life, but it is one amazing device.

This really ups the ante for me. One thing I truly desire is my next phone to be as fluid as the Sensation. That's something I've not seen from any device running Motoblur, even the dual core DX2. Unless what's on the Bionic is completely diff than even that new version, I'm going to be highly disappointed. And I have more confidence that the SGS2 will be closer to that fluidity. However, there's def numerous threads in their forum about unexpected lag, too. Let's face it, Sense is truly the gold standard for custom UIs (but I, like you, would still take vanilla Android any day).

 

[YankeeDudeL]

Something I am wondering after a few conversations that have been going in a couple threads here: what is the likelihood that these phones will drop anytime soon?

It sounds like the SGS2 should drop first. I mean, we know the specs on it (just not if it's 4G or not). We had the supposed release date leak (which proved inaccurate...mostly). And it's been out overseas for two months.

If the Bionic is going to come out afterwards (and even closer to the iPhone 5 release), then doesn't it have to beat the specs of the SGS2? Sure, if the SGS2 isn't 4G, then it has a leg up. But even then, wouldn't it have to be at least 1.2GHz dual core, 1GB RAM? If they did up the screen to 4.5", wouldn't they have had to up the battery, too? I mean, the last one was supposed to be 1900 mAh.

Ok, here's a real interesting one, although not a likely scenario at all (but what the hell, it's fun). What if the Bionic has specs that completely blow everyone out the water. Something like 1.5GHz dual core. Hell, even with an unlockable bootloader. Now what if you took that phone and released it side by side with the iPhone 5? Would be a good way to finally show apple that we're not only here to stay, we're here to take over.

Ok, back to Earth now. lol

 

[jinwons]

The other day, I played with my friend's HTC Sensation. In case you're wondering, it's everything it's been hyped up to be. I didn't get to play with it extensively, but it's everything you could want in a phone. As it was the first day, I have no idea about battery life, but it is one amazing device.

This really ups the ante for me. One thing I truly desire is my next phone to be as fluid as the Sensation. That's something I've not seen from any device running Motoblur, even the dual core DX2. Unless what's on the Bionic is completely diff than even that new version, I'm going to be highly disappointed. And I have more confidence that the SGS2 will be closer to that fluidity. However, there's def numerous threads in their forum about unexpected lag, too. Let's face it, Sense is truly the gold standard for custom UIs (but I, like you, would still take vanilla Android any day).

You better look at Sensation vs SGSII dogfight by Aaron at phonedog. SGSII is definitely faster, smoother on UI, browsing. TouchWiz 4.0 on SGSII is light years ahead of older TouchWiz. As people start using Sensation heavily, I'm sure that complaints on lags on Sensation will pop up soon. And what's up with ony 1Gb internal memory in Sensation?

edit: Part of reason why Sensation is slower than SGSII is that 3rd gen dual core snapdragon is still based on Cortex A8 architecture vs A9 in Exynos or Tegra2. Benchmarks show that difference.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

You better look at Sensation vs SGSII dogfight by Aaron at phonedog. SGSII is definitely faster, smoother on UI, browsing. TouchWiz 4.0 on SGSII is light years ahead of older TouchWiz. As people start using Sensation heavily, I'm sure that complaints on lags on Sensation will pop up soon. And what's up with ony 1Gb internal memory in Sensation?

Thanks I'm checking it out now.

 

[jinwons]

There is very slim chance that HTC variant like Sensation/Evo3D would land on Verizon any time soon. This is because of difficulty in pairing 3rd gen dual core snapdragon with LTE radio. The battery life will be even worse than already bad Thunderbolt with 2nd gen single core snapdragon. They will need 4th gen snapdragon 8960 to go with LTE, which will be much later than this summer.

 

[Asterdroid]

There is very slim chance that HTC variant like Sensation/Evo3D would land on Verizon any time soon. This is because of difficulty in pairing 3rd gen dual core snapdragon with LTE radio. The battery life will be even worse than already bad Thunderbolt with 2nd gen single core snapdragon. They will need 4th gen snapdragon 8960 to go with LTE, which will be much later than this summer.

Doesn't dual-core have better battery life than single core?

 

[jinwons]

Doesn't dual-core have better battery life than single core?

In theory dual core phone should have better battery life. But reality is that it's slightly worse because android OS is not fully optimized for dual core phones yet. This will change once Ice Cream is released.

 

[Bearly]

For me the ultimate phone will be something like the Sensation but using Qualcomm Krait: dual core and LTE (second generation).

 

[jinwons]

For me the ultimate phone will be something like the Sensation but using Qualcomm Krait: dual core and LTE (second generation).

IMO, there is no such thing as the ultimate phone. There will always be some better phones on the horizon at the moment you buy any phone.

 

[jroc]

^Yea...that would be the ultimate phone....for that week...lol

 

[rushmore]

I think that due to the generally weak or average releases so far this year (no offense), about 90% of current people waiting will get whichever device is released FIRST.

The other 10% will hold out for the Bionic, due to 4G (assuming the SG2 keeps its slim build- sans the 4G).

Just my guess.

Added:

I reluctantly lump the DX2 in the weak or average releases due to the random reboots, audio pops and low ram issues.

 

[rushmore]

What the hell are you talking about? I said bootloaders are locked on all carriers what does that have to do with lte? Or even verizon for that matter since they are locked on at&t and sprint too.

They are directly related. A locked down device that also can not be rooted is rather hard to use non approved tethering.

I do not recall being rude to you before, but there you go.

 

[Teegunn]

I think that due to the generally weak or average releases so far this year (no offense), about 90% of current people waiting will get whichever device is released FIRST.

The other 10% will hold out for the Bionic, due to 4G (assuming the SG2 keeps its slim build- sans the 4G).

Just my guess.

Added:

I reluctantly lump the DX2 in the weak or average releases due to the random reboots, audio pops and low ram issues.

I fall into the category that is most likely to get the phone that comes out first. It could be 5 years before I have 4G here in the middle of Montana anyway, so 4G is basically worthless to me. Right now I expect it to be at least mid August before either of these phones drops on Verizon however.

 

[Whatstreet]

I have discovered that the Samsung Galaxy S2 supports USB hosting, which means that it can read USB storage devices. I really want this feature, but if the SG2 does not have LTE, I'll have to wait. USB hosting won't help as much without 4G.

 

[rumblee1]

I've had phones since the beginning. Mostly Motorola and a few Samsung. While both were excellent and performed quite well, moto still has an edge in build quality. Add in Lte and you must choose moto. but, both moto and Verizon are driving me crazy with delays. I've made up my mind that if the Bionic release isn't announced by July 15, and the Gs2 isn't out yet, I'm going with the droid charge.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I've had phones since the beginning. Mostly Motorola and a few Samsung. While both were excellent and performed quite well, moto still has an edge in build quality. Add in Lte and you must choose moto. but, both moto and Verizon are driving me crazy with delays. I've made up my mind that if the Bionic release isn't announced by July 15, and the Gs2 isn't out yet, I'm going with the droid charge.

My g/f has had so many probs with her DInc, she was in desperate need of a new phone; it was just something that couldn't be put off, she had to replace it. So the other day I went ahead and got her the Charge. For our money, it was simply the best choice Verizon had, and it's not one we're likely to regret.

Personally, I love it. It was the first time I held a phone in my hand, compared it to my rooted Droid and said, "This is completely a better phone". Now, my g/f is was very reluctant after her last experience with her DInc, plus it's such a large phone for a girl. For the past few days it was, "I like it, I just got to get used to it". Well, just last night, we were eating dinner with friends and she pulled it out to show them (the phone, they've already seen, nevermind). After she put it away she ever so softly said to me, "I love my phone".

So if you can't wait, I think it's safe to say that the Charge is a great option. It'd be the one I'd go for if I couldn't.

 

[rushmore]

We are probably looking at August/September for either device, so folks that do not want to play more waiting games are probably better suited to pick a current device. I notice the Charge is slower than my Incredible, but can see where others could care less.

Would still have the DX2 but the low ram (without a need for root and iffy hacks), audio pops and random reboots were common and happened even with a restore to stock and minimal apps. I think the GB update for that device will be around when these two devices release, so see no current point in getting the DX2 again.

I am counting on the Bionic being what the DX2 should have been, along with more storage, more ram and more stable firmware. Added: LTE is a nice bonus too (if it behaves).

As far as the SG2, my guess is a 10% chance it has LTE, since a fatter design would compromise Samsung's plans for uniformity of add-ons. They also REALLY want the SG2 to be considered as THEIR iPhone, so standardization is very important.

I messed the GS2 for an hour while on vacation across the pond and was impressed. Main issue folks in England have been reporting is weak wifi signal. Took my Incredible with me, but CDMA does not work there, so used free wifi where it could be found. Incredible wifi works well, so better than nothing