So, this or the Droid?

[johninbigd]

Mystery HTC Android Handset Has a Name and a Carrier | The Unlockr

This has a speedy processor, but I'm not convinced it's faster than The Droid, even with the 1 GHz processor. I bet it's screaming fast, though. I'm tempted to get the Droid because I like the idea of having a keyboard in landscape mode. However, I *love* the Sense UI. It makes me drool.

What do you all think?

 

[AdamHC]

I think you would be able to 'root' your phone (hate the name lol, i dunno what it means in other countries but in Australia it means have sex with), and then install a ROM which has Sense on it or something. I would think someone would find a way. Keeping Droid as an option.

I'm thinking of getting a droid if it comes in GSM.

 

[tallelf78]

don't know if this helps ya but looks like a GSM version is in the works...

Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video)

and yes i'm having the same dilemma as the OP. I have a hero on sprint and i'm not as thrilled as i thought i'd be. i have issues answering calls if i'm doing other tasks on the phone when they come in, just seems to lag sometimes.

love the idea of the qwerty/slide keyboard on the droid but a 1ghz processor on the dragon makes me think it will be able to do more and do more faster!

damn choices!

 

[AdamHC]

Mmhhh now im saying droid definitly after seeing the video. Apparrently speeds of the Droid and the Dragon will be very similar despide the huge difference in clock speeds. The Droid has a 3.7" screen making web browsing etc a lot easier. And the interface does looks pretty decent, but if you like sense that much I'm sure somebody will port it or whatever. Plus a hardware keyboard, software keyboards are fine until you get outdoors, then its hard to write.

 

[wonderbread]

Apparrently speeds of the Droid and the Dragon will be very similar despide the huge difference in clock speeds. The Droid has a 3.7" screen making web browsing etc a lot easier. And the interface does looks pretty decent, but if you like sense that much I'm sure somebody will port it or whatever. Plus a hardware keyboard, software keyboards are fine until you get outdoors, then its hard to write.

How is it apparent that the speeds of Droid and Dragon will be "very similar"?

I am considering the same factors as OP but will likely go for DROID cause HD2 (same processor as dragon) hands-on review videos don't blow me away with UI responsiveness and I think I'm done waiting.

 

[AdamHC]

How is it apparent that the speeds of Droid and Dragon will be "very similar"?

I am considering the same factors as OP but will likely go for DROID cause HD2 (same processor as dragon) hands-on review videos don't blow me away with UI responsiveness and I think I'm done waiting.

From what people are saying APPARENTLY even though the Droid's clock speed is only 550Mhz (or whatever, I can't remember exactly), the architechture behind it makes it run very fast. From what people are saying you can't base your entire theory on which is faster on it's clock speed.

I think maybe the Droid will be faster because it has something like 5 cores/processors/whatever they are to deal with specific tasks whereas the Snapdragon has 2 1ghz cores to deal with everything. This is to the best of my understanding, I may be wrong about details.

 

[CRPercodani]

They use different architecture but both are about the same, its not like your computer that has dual cores and whatnot. The biggest factor is gonna be sense and if it bogs down the dragon like it does the hero. Also how much ram will the dragon have? That will make a big difference. For me its not a option, I hate virtual keyboards even with a 4" screen like the dragon's. Too many fingerprints and not as accurate.

 

[AdamHC]

They use different architecture but both are about the same, its not like your computer that has dual cores and whatnot. The biggest factor is gonna be sense and if it bogs down the dragon like it does the hero. Also how much ram will the dragon have? That will make a big difference. For me its not a option, I hate virtual keyboards even with a 4" screen like the dragon's. Too many fingerprints and not as accurate.

I thought that some firmware updates to the Hero sped it up, making it a lot more usable than it was at release. Much like the HTC Diamond's TOUCHFLO feature. When it was originally released I found it useless.

 

[Mykpfsu]

They use different architecture but both are about the same, its not like your computer that has dual cores and whatnot. The biggest factor is gonna be sense and if it bogs down the dragon like it does the hero. Also how much ram will the dragon have? That will make a big difference. For me its not a option, I hate virtual keyboards even with a 4" screen like the dragon's. Too many fingerprints and not as accurate.

I thought the biggest problem with the Hero being laggy (which from what I heard is not all the time and further cleared up in the Eris) is due to the older processor under the hood. I dont see how the Droids processor will be as good as the Snapdragon as both are similar to the Cortex-A8. But I would say look at the HD2 and see if that is slow as that phone rocks sense with the Snapdragon.
I just see the HTC cleaning up Droid's fumbles (camera, some parts not as user friendly) with the Dragon/Passion. Sure the Droid will be a good phone. I just see if I got one the HTC will have 1 or two features I wish the droid had.

 

[wonderbread]

but does the HD2 have a dedicated graphics processor like the DROID and iPhone do?

I've seen videos of HD2 and witnessed some laggyness just navigating around Touch FLO. Definitely killer phone though, the huge screen is great. Wonder if it fits in the pocket though.

 

[Rastaman-FB]

but does the HD2 have a dedicated graphics processor like the DROID and iPhone do?

I've seen videos of HD2 and witnessed some laggyness just navigating around Touch FLO. Definitely killer phone though, the huge screen is great. Wonder if it fits in the pocket though.

hd2 does not fit in pocket well, it also is quite thin and flimsy so you could easily snap it if you sat down with tight jeans

its also winmo, winmo is lag at its best
tbh i wasnt overly impressed with the hd2 and i played with it hands on

 

[Aerimus]

don't know if this helps ya but looks like a GSM version is in the works...

Motorola DROID spotted in fine GSM form (video)

and yes i'm having the same dilemma as the OP. I have a hero on sprint and i'm not as thrilled as i thought i'd be. i have issues answering calls if i'm doing other tasks on the phone when they come in, just seems to lag sometimes.

love the idea of the qwerty/slide keyboard on the droid but a 1ghz processor on the dragon makes me think it will be able to do more and do more faster!

damn choices!

The issue with multitasking is a CDMA issue. CDMA can not do data and voice at the same time. So you likely will have similar issues with Verizon from what i've read anyway.

 

[tallelf78]

The issue with multitasking is a CDMA issue. CDMA can not do data and voice at the same time. So you likely will have similar issues with Verizon from what i've read anyway.

multitasking between the browser, maps, and email (all data services) doesn't work well either (the phone is just too slow)...its all a moot point cause i grabbed the moto droid on Friday and haven't looked back...!

 

[rdalcanto]

Speed will probably be similar. The decision between Droid and Passion should be easy. Do you like a physical keyboard or not? I thought I wanted a physical keyboard, but after going into the store three times, I just can't get used to the keyboard on the Droid. I'm much faster with the Droid's virtual keyboard in landscape mode. So I'm waiting for the Passion.

 

[pucklax7]

Speed will probably be similar. The decision between Droid and Passion should be easy. Do you like a physical keyboard or not? I thought I wanted a physical keyboard, but after going into the store three times, I just can't get used to the keyboard on the Droid. I'm much faster with the Droid's virtual keyboard in landscape mode. So I'm waiting for the Passion.

Three weeks in and I can nearly type as fast on my droid physical as I can with my Berry...

 

[db83]

I'm trying to decide this as well. I ordered my phone upgrade today to the Motorola Droid. It will either come tomorrow or the day after. Then I read about the HTC dragon/passion. Better hardware is making me regret ordering the moto droid. I wonder if it is actually going to be a better phone. I like a physical keyboard, but if the keyboard on the passion is like the keyboard on the iphone, that'd be good enough for me. Plus, I've heard that the Motorola Droid's keyboard isn't all that great. ARGH! I don't know. I can either accept the droid or refuse the shipment to cancel. No idea what to do.

 

[Android_LIFE]

The physical keyboard on the Moto Droid, is not as bad as I've read in reviews.
Its quite usable. Not perfect, but usable. I like it more than I thought I would.
(I thought I was going to HATE IT)

Although I must say I prefer the Virtual Keyboard in Landscape Mode.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[db83]

well, I'm not comparing the keyboards all that much right now. I could probably live with both. they will both be better than the samsung omnia i910's touch screen.

it's the processor speed, and memory size that is really what catches my eye. don't know how much that would improve performance though.

 

[db83]

Someone on another forum said that the Snapdragon also has a separate dedicated GPU.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Snapdragon is a SOC like the OMAP3 in the Droid and has a GPU, called Imageon.

 

[db83]

so in that sense, the HTC passion should have superior hardware compared to the motorola droid. So... can anyone speculate how much of a performance boost this will create? Is it worth waiting in limbo for it?

 

[YankeeDudeL]

As I stated in the Passion subforum, I'm typing this from my Droid, so that's a win in my book. I'm sure the next android phones like the Passion/Dragon/Lock Ness Monsterand SE x10 will be a little quicker, they're coming out a lot slower. I look at it like this: I have an awesome phone that will be obsolete in two years. Conveniently enough, I'll have an upgrade by then.

And don't let anyone fool you, the keyboard is fine. I came from the all touch LG Dare, yet I actually prefer the physical keypad (not that there's anything wrong w/ the virtual one).

 

[PetiePal]

I'm in the same boat:

-I can upgrade in January for my New Every Two and get $50.
-I could also upgrade today via a VZW website promotion but pay full 199.99 for the Droid. Lasts until 12/31. I was initially waiting on a mid-December Dragon/Passion release but....delayed!

I like the Droid, played with it about 3 times. The keyboard isn't that bad my only concern is that the spacing is a little weird and I kind of wish the spacebar was on the left and right like my LG Voyager. (Or at least make the spacebar a lot longer, it would be more intuitive for dual thumb entry). Also the top row of keys is a little TOO flush with the top slider portion, but again you would get used to it easy. The touch text entry is VERY accurate and I was surprised how well I was doing typing.

I don't want to have a bunch of regrets though in a month, so I think I'm going to wait till January and see what the Dragon/Bravo is all about...then make my choice. Wish I could do that today!

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I'm in the same boat:

-I can upgrade in January for my New Every Two and get $50.
-I could also upgrade today via a VZW website promotion but pay full 199.99 for the Droid. Lasts until 12/31. I was initially waiting on a mid-December Dragon/Passion release but....delayed!

I like the Droid, played with it about 3 times. The keyboard isn't that bad my only concern is that the spacing is a little weird and I kind of wish the spacebar was on the left and right like my LG Voyager. (Or at least make the spacebar a lot longer, it would be more intuitive for dual thumb entry). Also the top row of keys is a little TOO flush with the top slider portion, but again you would get used to it easy. The touch text entry is VERY accurate and I was surprised how well I was doing typing.

I don't want to have a bunch of regrets though in a month, so I think I'm going to wait till January and see what the Dragon/Bravo is all about...then make my choice. Wish I could do that today!

Can't argue w/ waiting and making an informed decision. I was very impulsive and bit at the Droid the first day. It's been over a month now, and I fall a lil more in love w/ it.

I think when the Lock Ness Monster comes out (I can't help it, it's a perfect name for it), it'll be a great companion to the Droid. Ultimately, I think the question will be whether or not you want a physical keyboard. And the Droid has a great virtual keyboard (even the single handed one is great). The new Droid update actually improved the speed and camera issues, and we'll be getting another one next month.

I considered maybe returning my Droid before the 30 day window, but as we got nothing concrete (on purpose, I'm sure) I decided that I wouldn't get strung along and I would go ahead and enjoy what I have. If you've waited this long, I'd say your doing yourself a service in waiting to compare em both in hand.

 

[PetiePal]

Yeah I like the touch keyboard on it! But the cold months ARE upon us so unless I'm sewing conducive thread into the tips of my gloves a touch keyboard won't help TOO much