Should I get the Epic?

nathanshootspics · Feb 12, 2011

Well, here is my dilemma. I'm currently using a HTC Hero... and I'm beginning to want to kill myself. Constant lockups, terrible battery life, lack of physical keyboard (I miss it from my Treo 755p and my Palm Pre). I really love the Epic, but I know its been out almost 6 months now, and Im wondering if its really worth it to buy now. I think the Evo Shift is okay, but I really feel like the epic is a much better device, and Im wondering if there is a likelihood that a new 4G, 4" powerhouse with qwerty keyboard will be available. I know sprint is pushing that DS p.o.s. and I havent found word on any upcoming phone lists... just looking for feedback on what I should do.

On the bright side I am a premier member, so I could get another phone again in a year.

Kelmar · Feb 12, 2011

Personally I love my Epic. I would advise that you go play with one in a store got a while. If you want timely updates, avoid this phone. Also, the beautiful screen is a battery hog.

Fyi, sprint is changing their upgrade policies so it would be worth reading that prior to deciding.

Dr Android · Feb 12, 2011

Kelmar said:
Personally I love my Epic. I would advise that you go play with one in a store got a while. If you want timely updates, avoid this phone. Also, the beautiful screen is a battery hog.

Fyi, sprint is changing their upgrade policies so it would be worth reading that prior to deciding.

This is good advice. This handset will be obsolete in 6 months so keep this in mind. I would wait until May/June all of Sprints upcoming hardware should be out in the open by then.

MannyrtFresh · Feb 12, 2011

i would say YES. get a EPIC. Personally this is the best phone ive had to date and i dont see me changing it anytime soon as long as its still working good enough for me. screen is amazing.

but i would go play with it at the sprint store and test it out first to see how you like it.

Epicurean · Feb 12, 2011

FWIW I just bought a 2nd Epic for my wife. Yes, even though it's 6 months old, no froyo, yada yada yada. To me it's still a beast of a phone.

SlyFerret · Feb 12, 2011

It's a great phone. Who knows... the update to froyo that we've been waiting for since last fall might end up being "timely" to you, if you're just getting the phone!

I wouldn't say the epic will be obsolete in 6 months. The hardware in the Galaxy S line was pretty advanced when it was released, and is still ahead of new phones being released today.

Knowing what I know now, I would still pick the epic if I could go back and do it over again.

-SF

MisterDisney · Feb 12, 2011

If it's your first smart phone, or you haven't bought a smart phone in a while, you'll be impressed with it. Just remember to charge the battery early and often and you should be very happy with it.

nathanshootspics · Feb 12, 2011

Dr Android said:
This is good advice. This handset will be obsolete in 6 months so keep this in mind. I would wait until May/June all of Sprints upcoming hardware should be out in the open by then.

This is what I'm concerned about. I know that the new set of phones is just around the bend. I don't need the shiniest new toy, but I will be disappointed if
something beter comes around. I've gone to the store numerous times and I do love the device, and froyo and such isnt THAT imperative to me. I just haven't looked at the history of sprints releases, and I was wondering if it can be expected that a new qwerty keyboard device with 4G and a 4"ish screen will probably be rolled out in June. Honestly the qwerty keyboard is everything to me.

Is it safe to say a new one will be out? Or should I dive into the epic goodness haha.

Also I'm a sprint member for 10+ years - well my dad is on our family plan, and we still are on it to save some cash for eachother. He designated me as the primary line so I have the 1 year upgrade still intact from what I understand.

This really is good advice guys, I just wish I could see into the future so I don't end up mad for being impatient.

Charles C · Feb 12, 2011

nathanshootspics said:
This really is good advice guys, I just wish I could see into the future so I don't end up mad for being impatient.

Just so you know, Mobile World Congress starts tomorrow in Barcelona. A number of mobile phone makers will be there announcing new stuff, including Samsung with the Galaxy S II apparently. Not sure if they will announce pricing, carriers, or release dates, but you will get some idea of what the next generation of phones will be like. Check Engadget or Crave or any number of other tech sites all this week, they'll probably have details as they become available.

Given that the Galaxy S II is definitely on the announcement schedule, I would definitely wait on this version of the Epic for now. Even if you decide it's the best choice for you, you will probably be able to get it cheaper once these new models are announced.

Epicurean · Feb 12, 2011

If you are ready to buy a phone now, don't wait for a phone that's coming out in summer that won't be delivered til fall. As far as good android phones with keyboards from Sprint your options are the Epic and the Evo Shift, which seems to be a chop-down version of an Evo and an Epic.

ndp506 · Feb 12, 2011

Charles C said:
Just so you know, Mobile World Congress starts tomorrow in Barcelona. A number of mobile phone makers will be there announcing new stuff, including Samsung with the Galaxy S II apparently. Not sure if they will announce pricing, carriers, or release dates, but you will get some idea of what the next generation of phones will be like. Check Engadget or Crave or any number of other tech sites all this week, they'll probably have details as they become available.

Given that the Galaxy S II is definitely on the announcement schedule, I would definitely wait on this version of the Epic for now. Even if you decide it's the best choice for you, you will probably be able to get it cheaper once these new models are announced.

My 30 day upgrade is up on Monday, so I went ahead and returned my Epic and am back with the Hero since the MWC is tomorrow... hopefully a good announcement will be made... I bought the Epic and timed it since I heard Sprint had an announcement on Feb 7th, but that kyocera crap definitely won't cut it for me... wish we had verizon phones with sprints plans...

PhonerSapien · Feb 12, 2011

Charles C said:
Just so you know, Mobile World Congress starts tomorrow in Barcelona. A number of mobile phone makers will be there announcing new stuff, including Samsung with the Galaxy S II apparently. Not sure if they will announce pricing, carriers, or release dates, but you will get some idea of what the next generation of phones will be like. Check Engadget or Crave or any number of other tech sites all this week, they'll probably have details as they become available.

Given that the Galaxy S II is definitely on the announcement schedule, I would definitely wait on this version of the Epic for now. Even if you decide it's the best choice for you, you will probably be able to get it cheaper once these new models are announced.

Here's an article that came out today:

Samsung Galaxy S II And Galaxy Tab II Leaked Information - Newark Gadgets | Examiner.com

gTwizzel · Feb 12, 2011

nathanshootspics said:
Well, here is my dilemma. I'm currently using a HTC Hero... and I'm beginning to want to kill myself. Constant lockups, terrible battery life, lack of physical keyboard.

On the bright side I am a premier member, so I could get another phone again in a year.

I had my HTC Hero for a year as soon as my contract was up I upgraded about a week ago to the Epic (do to the same issues you stated above). The difference is night and day. I messed around with a few of my friends' EVO1 but I didn't really like it too much never seen the SHIFT, don't get me wrong EVO1 is a good fast phone, but the Epic is by far the best phone I've had. The screen is so good that the images look fake, even on the dimmest setting it's way brighter then the EVO1 ( it actually hurts my eyes all the way bright). Just watch out because if you buy the phone w/ "Sprint's discount" beware of a new 2year contract. the only thing I would have liked this phone to have is a kick stand ( BodyGlove has a case with kickstand that im going to buy), an HDMI connection and better battery life (you can buy and extended one). I say buy it other then the iphone5 there isn't anything comming out worth getting IMO I've done my home work. sorry for the long reply hope it gives you some insight from a former HERO user.

nathanshootspics · Feb 12, 2011

I went for it. I bought the epic at best buy... and they actually have a special where their buy back program is free. So with my sprint premier membership I can get a new phone in a year and best buy will pay 40% of the MSRP of the phone - so 649.99. In other words in a year they will take my phone, give me a $250ish gift card, and I can buy a new phone at the upgrade price - essentially a new phone for free

LOVING this phone. As it was stated above it is night and day. Thanks for the insight everybody! Really excellent feedback.

Kelmar · Feb 13, 2011

Awesome!

Let us know if you have any questions.

Epicurean · Feb 13, 2011

Good for you!

gTwizzel · Feb 13, 2011

nathanshootspics said:
I went for it. I bought the epic at best buy... and they actually have a special where their buy back program is free. So with my sprint premier membership I can get a new phone in a year and best buy will pay 40% of the MSRP of the phone - so 649.99. In other words in a year they will take my phone, give me a $250ish gift card, and I can buy a new phone at the upgrade price - essentially a new phone for free LOVING this phone. As it was stated above it is night and day. Thanks for the insight everybody! Really excellent feedback.

Good to hear and glad you like. I just might retune my phone and go with best buy since its only been a week and I have a month to return it.

MBM7881 · Feb 14, 2011

nice and congrats! the phone is excellent and if you love it now, your gonna super love it later lol!! glad you like the phone

nathanshootspics said:
I went for it. I bought the epic at best buy... and they actually have a special where their buy back program is free. So with my sprint premier membership I can get a new phone in a year and best buy will pay 40% of the MSRP of the phone - so 649.99. In other words in a year they will take my phone, give me a $250ish gift card, and I can buy a new phone at the upgrade price - essentially a new phone for free LOVING this phone. As it was stated above it is night and day. Thanks for the insight everybody! Really excellent feedback.

mysticmead · Feb 14, 2011

congrats on getting the Epic. I too came from a Hero and while it was a good phone (once rooted) but it is nothing like the Epic.. I gave my Hero to my son, he loves it..

nathanshootspics · Feb 15, 2011

Well here's a funny little story to add on. I gave my girlfriend my hero, and I went to best buy mobile again to swap the devices. I completely forgot to unroot, and when he booted up the phone it loaded the cyanogen loading screen. He looked at me puzzled, and was like. Is this like a custom widget? and I tried to explain. he just handed me the instructions on how to switch the phone to my new line and I did it on my own. He couldnt figure it out at all haha

viber · Feb 16, 2011

The Epic is still a very viable phone due to the potent hardware.

It would be even better if it had 2.2 or 2.3.

On paper new phones shown at MWC are better, but in real world use, and with the current android app situation, someone that got the Epic in 2010 could easily make it to Q4 2011 or even Q1 2012 before having a real "need" to upgrade based up short term foreseeable software demands.

Should I get the Epic?

Lurker

Done by choice

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

Newbie

Lurker

Newbie

Android Enthusiast

Newbie

Member

Newbie

Lurker

Done by choice

Android Enthusiast

Newbie

Well-Known Member

Android Expert

Lurker

Android Enthusiast

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads