This might be tough to call, but is the hero going to be exclusive to sprint?

clandest · Sep 8, 2009

I have at&t, and my entire family uses it so the mobile to mobile is nice. And I don't want to have to switch to another provider for the phone (but I am very tempted to do so if its exclusive)

So the phone is said to be released next month on sprint. What would be the chances that other phone carriers will also be able to get the phone? Or should I just buy an unlocked one online? And with an unlocked phone does it do exactly the same things as if you were with that carrier? Getting updates, 3g, calling all that good stuff..

Thanks a lot.

cheers

quantumrand · Sep 8, 2009

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I'm stuck with AT&T through my work. I could switch to Sprint, but I'd be left paying the $70/month all out of pocket.

Unfortunately, AT&T isn't too friendly with Android (most likely because Apple is telling them to keep away from it). I wouldn't be surprised if AT&T doesn't get a decent Android phone until next summer. As things stand, they'll probably deny any phone that could perform on par or better than the iPhone.

Dallasguy · Sep 8, 2009

I have the euro Hero on AT&T in Texas. All features work fine with the exception of 3g. I believe our 3g is different frequency then the rest of the world.....along with unit of measurement, etc.

Raphaels · Sep 8, 2009

That's the problem with "branded" phones you can only get with a contract...

Imagine the same things for cars... you buy a Ford but can then only use Ford roads (if you drive abroad, it cost you more per km/miles).
That's just ridiculous...

My last 5 phones were bought sim-free. Yes, for the real price, not for a fake subsidised price that give people a fake idea of prices... a phone can't be free to manufacture. Actually, I am in Ireland and none of the 4 operators has an Android phone so I could not.

To answer you question... By unlock and be free to use any operators!

aeneas_shrike · Sep 8, 2009

(noob question) What all was involved in getting a Euro Hero running on AT&T? I too have AT&T and would prefer to stay even if I miss out on the 3g.

clandest · Sep 8, 2009

aeneas_shrike said:
(noob question) What all was involved in getting a Euro Hero running on AT&T? I too have AT&T and would prefer to stay even if I miss out on the 3g.

I checked ebay, and all the ones I saw already come unlocked. So I believe all you have to do is just insert your sim card.

andy d · Sep 8, 2009

Here in the UK we have had the original Hero for two months and its a great phone.

Dallasguy · Sep 8, 2009

All you have to do is put in your sim card, change the settings to US network which takes 2 minutes and you are done.

cwrig · Sep 8, 2009

Im on ATT also and My TILT just died today

So I was going to wait till Occt11 and jump to sprint. But you are saying I can buy an unlocked Hero on Ebay, put my SIm in it and it will work fine?

Wont it be on the slow Edge network and not 3G?

Will HTC updates and all that work ok?

Sorry; Im not hip on this unlocked phone stuff. I want to underdstand the downside other than the price of an unlocked phone.

clandest · Sep 8, 2009

cwrig said:
Im on ATT also and My TILT just died today

So I was going to wait till Occt11 and jump to sprint. But you are saying I can buy an unlocked Hero on Ebay, put my SIm in it and it will work fine?

Wont it be on the slow Edge network and not 3G?

Will HTC updates and all that work ok?

Sorry; Im not hip on this unlocked phone stuff. I want to underdstand the downside other than the price of an unlocked phone.

I have been researching the shizznit out of this phone. And from what i've read.

All you have to do is put the simcard in the unlocked phone and it will work.

I have read that 3g is not supported on US carriers (all the info I've seen is from old jun/jul post so this might have changed because the FCC has made it so that att can run 3g on it. So I am not sure if its a software update or if its all hardware)

All the updates SHOULD work normally.

cwrig · Sep 8, 2009

One more question: I am just out of contract with AT&T. If I buy an unlocked Hero and put my sim in it, I will still be out of contract right? So, if in 6 months ATT finally gets around to selling android I could buy the latest on a contract price and have 3G.

So, If i undertand correctly the only downsides to unloced Hero on ATT would be the cost of a non contract phone, and it will run on the slower edge network. Everything else wil work as designed including warantee and updates. Do I have it right?

clandest · Sep 9, 2009

cwrig said:
One more question: I am just out of contract with AT&T. If I buy an unlocked Hero and put my sim in it, I will still be out of contract right? So, if in 6 months ATT finally gets around to selling android I could buy the latest on a contract price and have 3G.

So, If i undertand correctly the only downsides to unloced Hero on ATT would be the cost of a non contract phone, and it will run on the slower edge network. Everything else wil work as designed including warantee and updates. Do I have it right?

yes, with the unlocked phone, att will not be able to tell what device you are using. So as long as you have service everything runs and sends info from the sims card.

Namek · Sep 9, 2009

I think the Sprint Hero is gorgeous. I wanted to buy an unlocked version but the chin was holding me back. I'm currently using the iPhone on At&t and getting kind of annoyed of the dropped calls, static, extremely slow eg etc..

Anyone here plan on switching to Sprint to get the Hero? After looking at Sprint rate plans I'll save ALOT of money over the iPhone plan that I'm paying for now.

Namek · Sep 9, 2009

cwrig said:
One more question: I am just out of contract with AT&T. If I buy an unlocked Hero and put my sim in it, I will still be out of contract right? So, if in 6 months ATT finally gets around to selling android I could buy the latest on a contract price and have 3G.

So, If i undertand correctly the only downsides to unloced Hero on ATT would be the cost of a non contract phone, and it will run on the slower edge network. Everything else wil work as designed including warantee and updates. Do I have it right?

I think the warranty might be a pita. Much easier going to a corp store and get it fixed or replaced. One thing I like about buying a carrier phone is the insurance. I'll be pissed if I spent 500 bucks for an unlocked phone and it gets a crack screen, stolen etc.. I really hate Apple for not allowing insurance on the iPHone.

This might be tough to call, but is the hero going to be exclusive to sprint?

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