I've been researching about this for a while now and the longer I think about which to get, the more confusing it is. I would like to solicit inputs from this forum regarding the pros and cons of each.
The differences between each is relatively minor, which makes it even harder to make a choice.
So far these are the significant features of each handset for me:
HTC Touch Pro
- 2.8-inch screen with VGA resolution
- Five-row QWERTY keyboard
- Has directional-pad
SE XPERIA X1
- 3.0-inch screen with WVGA resolution
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Four-row QWERTY keyboard
- Optical trackpad
HTC Touch Pro2
- 3.6-inch screen with WVGA resolution
- Five-row QWERTY keyboard
- No directional-pad
- Tilting screen (but doesn't the hinge get loose after a while?)
I was also looking at the Touch HD but it did not have a physical tactile QWERTY. I know it does have a big onscreen keyboard but I feel like I will still be longing for something with tactile response after a while.
Another question with regards to these slide-out QWERTY phones is that, does the slide mechanism stay tight for a long time? I've seen videos and these phones use spring-loaded slide-out mechanisms. Anybody ever have them go loose after some time?
Is the directional-pad really that big of a deal with Windows Mobile phones? Is it used in order to avoid taking out the stylus? I've searched around the web and see that many people are complaining about the removal of the d-pad with some models.
As for WVGA and VGA, is there a big enough difference to really go for WVGA?
I may have missed some key differences between these models. If yes, do kindly point them out. As far as I can tell, the hardware specifications of the ones I am looking for are pretty much the same (i.e. processor, RAM/ROM, 3G, GPS, WiFi, etc.)
I would buy the TouchPro2!
I have got the Kaiser (also with the tilt screen) and the tilting/sliding mechanism is out of metal and its working perfect till today after nearly 1 and a half year
On the Kaiser (320x240) I nearly never use the stylus, If I press on the screen with my finger I hit the point I wont
The D-Pad I never user more or less I like to use the wheel at the side which is much more comfortable and when I need some more buttons everything is on the full qwertz keyboard.
But I recognized I type faster with TouchPal on screenkeyboard (with suggestions) than with the hardware keyboard. The hardwarekeyboard never the less is nice for games and emulator
And of cause WVGA / VGA is a big difference 800x480/640x480
no brainer...wait for HTC Touch Pro2!
I would certainly wait for the Touch Pro2. First, it will be the newest HTC device, so it will have official support for a long time to come. Secondly, the tilting screen is very nice to have, especially if you use the device for media. As you can see from my signature, I have a Kaiser, and I love its tilting screen. And the hinge on my Kaiser has barely weakened, if at all. In addition, watch this and this, and you'll see why this phone looks so nice.
Dave
Get a x1 or wait for the pro 2. i got a x1 and its a lot better than the pro but need to wait and see on the pro 2. they have the same specs but i dont like the hindge .on the screen, think u will have problems with that after a while
scilor said:
I would buy the TouchPro2!
I have got the Kaiser (also with the tilt screen) and the tilting/sliding mechanism is out of metal and its working perfect till today after nearly 1 and a half year
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you always tilt the screen up?
scilor said:
On the Kaiser (320x240) I nearly never use the stylus, If I press on the screen with my finger I hit the point I wont
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it would be much easier on the HTC Touch phones since they use the TouchFLO interface.
scilor said:
The D-Pad I never user more or less I like to use the wheel at the side which is much more comfortable and when I need some more buttons everything is on the full qwertz keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thing is, the Kaiser is the only one with the wheel on the side. Everything else either has a D-Pad or no D-Pad.
scilor said:
But I recognized I type faster with TouchPal on screenkeyboard (with suggestions) than with the hardware keyboard. The hardwarekeyboard never the less is nice for games and emulator
And of cause WVGA / VGA is a big difference 800x480/640x480
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly am fine with using an on-screen keyboard, but not for a very long time. I've used PocketPC's before and I just seemingly long for a tactile QWERTY keyboard after a while.
DaveTheTytnIIGuy said:
Secondly, the tilting screen is very nice to have, especially if you use the device for media. As you can see from my signature, I have a Kaiser, and I love its tilting screen. And the hinge on my Kaiser has barely weakened, if at all. In addition, watch this and this, and you'll see why this phone looks so nice.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long have you been using your Kaiser? Do you always tilt the screen up?
Ganondolf said:
Get a x1 or wait for the pro 2. i got a x1 and its a lot better than the pro but need to wait and see on the pro 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot better than the HTC Touch Pro in what aspects? The QWERTY on the Touch Pro wins since it has the additional numeric row.
Can you please explain?
Ganondolf said:
they have the same specs but i dont like the hindge .on the screen, think u will have problems with that after a while
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as the hinge on the Touch Pro2 is concerned, I honestly won't be tilting it that much (I think).
X1 is the better one now and will be loads cheaper than the TP2. However, if price isn't an issue go with the TP2.
Wait for TP2!!!
I´ll go for it also!
for me, the x1 is the perfect size--I dont like my phones with big faces like the iphone
the x1 has a better screen, looks better.
the keyboard does only have 4 rows on the x1 but the keyboard itself is a lot better in looks and feel.
there is a thread somewhere in the forum (search for it). it has a poll of all the htc devices which one people prefer and the x1 is well in front so its not just me.
as far as pro 2 goes, i would have to play with a live model to give u a honest answer. cant see how people can recommend a hanset that not even out yet. although unlikely it might run like **** and be rubbish, so wait till they have live sets in a shop near u and have a play with one when its out before buying.
Another note on the HTC Touch Pro.
It's the only one with a scroll wheel. Are all the buttons on the Touch Pro non-tactile?
It depends on where you are located. If you are in the USA and not on T-Mobile, get the X1A. If you are on Tmo, wait for the TP2. I had a Touch Pro(Fuze) and while it was a nice unit, I am much happier with the Xperia here in the US on AT&T. If you are not in the USA, get the Xperia or the TP2.
Later..........
blued888 said:
I've been researching about this for a while now and the longer I think about which to get, the more confusing it is. I would like to solicit inputs from this forum regarding the pros and cons of each.
The differences between each is relatively minor, which makes it even harder to make a choice.
So far these are the significant features of each handset for me:
HTC Touch Pro
- 2.8-inch screen with VGA resolution
- Five-row QWERTY keyboard
- Has directional-pad
SE XPERIA X1
- 3.0-inch screen with WVGA resolution
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Four-row QWERTY keyboard
- Optical trackpad
HTC Touch Pro2
- 3.6-inch screen with WVGA resolution
- Five-row QWERTY keyboard
- No directional-pad
- Tilting screen (but doesn't the hinge get loose after a while?)
I was also looking at the Touch HD but it did not have a physical tactile QWERTY. I know it does have a big onscreen keyboard but I feel like I will still be longing for something with tactile response after a while.
Another question with regards to these slide-out QWERTY phones is that, does the slide mechanism stay tight for a long time? I've seen videos and these phones use spring-loaded slide-out mechanisms. Anybody ever have them go loose after some time?
Is the directional-pad really that big of a deal with Windows Mobile phones? Is it used in order to avoid taking out the stylus? I've searched around the web and see that many people are complaining about the removal of the d-pad with some models.
As for WVGA and VGA, is there a big enough difference to really go for WVGA?
I may have missed some key differences between these models. If yes, do kindly point them out. As far as I can tell, the hardware specifications of the ones I am looking for are pretty much the same (i.e. processor, RAM/ROM, 3G, GPS, WiFi, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'm gonna wait for the Touch Pro2 and see how it is when I get to demo a unit. Rumored release date here in the Philippines is sometime June 2009.
Btw, is it just me or does the XPERIA screen thinner (less width) and longer (more height) than other HTC's?
A follow-up questoin regarding WVGA screens, are most WM applications compatible with the 800x480 resolution of the newer HTC's? Or does VGA/QVGA still reign?
Thanks!
I love my Fuze (Touch Pro) but I'm versy disappointed with the tiny screen. The TP2 has a huge screen, and more importantly: Incredible features. The only thing that's really got me worried is the lack of a dpad on the portrait face.
That said, I still plan on getting one.
l3it3r said:
I love my Fuze (Touch Pro) but I'm versy disappointed with the tiny screen. The TP2 has a huge screen, and more importantly: Incredible features. The only thing that's really got me worried is the lack of a dpad on the portrait face.
That said, I still plan on getting one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what worries me also, the lack of the d-pad on the TP2.
I had the xperia and i am getting the touch pro. to me the video out is what i need and what the xperia doesn't have. Also the touch pro and the xperia will be a lot less than the touch pro 2 so that was another factor for me.
I have had an X1 for 5 months........in fact I have had five X1s.
All have had cracked cases and I have had enough.
I am changing for a HD Pro (XDA Serra on O2 UK)
I will miss the screen but the basic spec is very similar.
Very poor show Sony and many thanks to O2 for allowing an exchange.
Don't go for the Touch Pro, WVGA is the screen of the future, and all newer interfaces will likely be optimized for it. It'll become harder and harder to get non buggy ROMS for VGA screes as time goes on.
The X1 is awesome, and looks the best of the bunch, not to mention it is not bulky like the others. It still has SE support as they still get ROM updates with new features (unlike HTC which may just fix a bug or 2, but never updates the actual features).
X1 Cons: The screen is only 3.0 inches which is bigger than 2.8, but still not big. SE didn't build all of the niceties of Touch Flo devices into it such as nicer contacts screen, new volume app, etc.
The TP2 is a powerhouse, and has everything you could ever want except for the cheesy looking plastic build, and the gargantuan size.
If aesthetics are important to you go X1, if having the latest, greatest, is important go TP2.
Hey guys, don't forget if the rumors are true, we'll be getting the "omnia pro" AND the x2 sometime soon, and I think a couple more, though I can't remember what atm. There are alot of new choices with sliding KBs out there. Personally, after the fuze and now the omnia, my preference would have the following: tv-out (must), WVGA (must)(the new future), hard KB (must, preferably w/ tilt), flash for camera (want, not need), FM radio (want, not need). I miss not having a Dpad, but cope w/o it, same with the scroll wheel (ala kaiser), and stylus. Headphone jack, there are always adapters.
I have been very happy with the HTC Universal over the last 5 years.
Unfortunately it is beginning to get a little loose and worn.
I have already replaced the screen on the poor thing after one accident.
Could someone help with advice on a suitable upgrade? I don't appear to see one on the HTC website which fits my likes (or any on other sites).
I have been looking through the HTC website, and thought the Athena/x7500 would be suitable, but then realised that this appears to be EOL already.
Items I like on the Universal, is the hi-res 640x480 screen. Better would be nice. It appears to be ~4" or so
I like the size of the keys on the keyboard, it is just about right for me. (it is a must, to be able to hide the keyboard). I like the way that the keys are rounded, and I can use it without light. Unfortunately, I do not like the way that the keyboard can be slid in on the HTC touch pro, I think I will hit the top screen with my fingers?
I like the way that I can attach a bluetooth GPS device and use it as a navigator for the car.
Quad band would be extremely useful, although I have an alternative quad-band phone for when it is required, it would be very useful to have it in the main phone.
Internet browser is a must (but is there any phone nowadays which doesn't have one?). Hi-speed internet is not a requirement.
Touchscreen is a must. (as is a stylus hide-hole)
I doubt it makes any real difference, but I am currently on T-Mobile UK.
An SD slot (or CF alternatively), would be good for storage. It would be useful if the phone had Excel and Word, or compatibles, as I do often use these.
Thanks in advance,
A good question!
I have Universal also and have found very hard to get a real replacement for great Uni!
I have now Rhodium, which to my opinion is the closer to an upgrade but I have to be honest there are some things still miss...
Better keyboard (Uni has the best hardware keyboard to this date)
VGA
From factor (unbeatable)
But we have to face the fact that HTC made Universal so good, so advanced to it´s time that hardly they will make something on the same line (I really hope I´m wrong)
Rhodium can make you feel good in the meantime
orb3000 said:
But we have to face the fact that HTC made Universal so good, so advanced to it´s time that hardly they will make something on the same line (I really hope I´m wrong)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I suppose i can take some solace that there are others that think the same!
Of course!
We are several people thinking that way, just have a look on Universal section and you´ll see how in love members are with great Uni!
Nowadays, it's just so tempting to get one of the latest 'slate' phones and just settle with it. Particularly because keyboard-less phones are a lot thinner than keyboard phones and have a much better selection. Also it seems like no one is considering making a 4"+ phone with a physical keyboard (not with Android, anyway...)
But still it feels like physical keyboards have some features that can't seriously be replicated with software such as
- ability to play emulators and other games. Touch control frankly sucks. By the way, how compatible are Android games with physical keyboards? Are there times when software that should support keyboard input only supports touch screen controls?
- half the screen doesn't get obscured just to input some text.
so the choice is pretty difficult. Can I get some opinions from people who made the switch to slate phones?
Your most certainly right with the drawbacks, but those are the only ones. Now that we can hook up a wireless ps3 controller to our phones I'm not so worried about loosing hard buttons on a KB. Using swype you can actually type much faster on screen then with a phone KB now. Its certainly a different then the old styluses but I like it much more, even WM 6.5 is pretty finger friendly now. I went from a TP2 with the best KB around to an HD2 with no KB. I was worried for about 10 minutes till I tried out the HD2 screen and it being so sensetive I was in hog heaven, no more pushing buttons 3-4 times to get them to click. Just get my finger within .5mm of the screen and it detects my finger and presses the button.
completley agree Pickx.
maxpower097 said:
.... Using swype you can actually type much faster on screen then with a phone KB now. ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many people have claimed this but not once have I seen anyone using it to anything near what I would call "quick" and certainly not as quick as a proper keyboard. I tried Swype for a few weeks but its just not possible in my experience.
I now have a HD2 and frankly, despite all its awesomeness I still desperatley miss a proper keyboard. I use my phone frequently at work to make notes/take minutes in meetings and sadly this is simply not possible to do this accurately and quickly on a touch screen keyboard - even with Swype!
The previous phone I had, an Acer m900 was ok and had a great keyboard but it was no HD2.... if only i could plug its keyboard on to my HD2!
Oh god I suck at phone KB's and have large hands so that may be why I have so much more luck with swype then the normal touch KB or normal KB. For me swype is incedibly accurate. I only get may be 1 word wrong out of 100. In fact I hated it so much with my TP2 I didn't even text message. People would msg me and I would just call them back. Now that I'm on the HD2 I actually TXT back because its actually doable without hitting 100 wrong keys.
I´ve just switched from Rhodium to Leo and my typing speed decreased a lot, several errors touching the screen...
I decided to change because slow Rhodium processor but as soon as a good real hardware keyboard device appear with modern specs I´ll switch back again.
You can never compare typing REAL keys and the speed...
I think its gonna be different for everyone. For instance I'm a mutant and have one thumb 1 inch shorter then the other. So one thumb is long and slender, the other is fat and stubby. No matter what KB I used on a phone I always hit wrong keys with my big fat thumbs, both of em. Granted I'm 6'4 and 235 pounds. But with the touch screen swype I can just use my index finger to slide around which for me personally is much more accurate and easy them my big thumbs. Another issue I would have with real phone KB's is I would hit w button and it would type wwww_.
So now that a(n early) PSX emulator has been released and an N64 emulator is being worked on, a device with a keyboard would be great. Screw Samsung for not releasing the Epic on GSM.
I'm not sure if this exists, but I thought I'd ask.
I've been using a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (and loved it) up until about 1 month ago, when I got sick and tired of 30-35 effective WPM on the touchscreen keyboard and switched back to my old first generation Blackberry Bold. Believe it or not, the relief of going back to the blackberry was HUGE even while sacrificing all of the obvious advantages of Android. Touchscreen keyboards just arent for me. I spent nearly a year hoping I would get better at it, and I'm not particularly bad, but I'm just quite quick on a hardware keyboard (65-75wpm) and that is hard to ignore. I do a lot of typing (emails for work and also fairly heavy SMS user ~6000 in+out per month).
So to the point, can anyone recommend a phone for me? I've tried the landscape style hardware keyboards and I am not a fan unfortunately, because I think there are a couple of those to choose from.
Any portrait hardware keyboards? Blackberry style? It would need to be a slider of course to avoid having a tiny screen.. still looking for a ~4"+ screen.
Thanks <3
jammin1911 said:
I'm not sure if this exists, but I thought I'd ask.
I've been using a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (and loved it) up until about 1 month ago, when I got sick and tired of 30-35 effective WPM on the touchscreen keyboard and switched back to my old first generation Blackberry Bold. Believe it or not, the relief of going back to the blackberry was HUGE even while sacrificing all of the obvious advantages of Android. Touchscreen keyboards just arent for me. I spent nearly a year hoping I would get better at it, and I'm not particularly bad, but I'm just quite quick on a hardware keyboard (65-75wpm) and that is hard to ignore. I do a lot of typing (emails for work and also fairly heavy SMS user ~6000 in+out per month).
So to the point, can anyone recommend a phone for me? I've tried the landscape style hardware keyboards and I am not a fan unfortunately, because I think there are a couple of those to choose from.
Any portrait hardware keyboards? Blackberry style? It would need to be a slider of course to avoid having a tiny screen.. still looking for a ~4"+ screen.
Thanks <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC makes the T-Mobile Dash and the Ozone with portrait hardware keyboards, and 12 other phones with the more popular landscape slider keyboards and the big screens. It's gonna be tough to get a 4" wide screen with a portrait keyboard. That would be one big phone!
Happy shopping!
for the 4" I was thinking more like the Blackberry Torch slider style to avoid the phone being huge
Thanks for the input!
//EDIT// I would LOVE to see a phone that is basically what Motorola is showing off right now, the Droid 4 with slideout qwerty keyboard, except for it to slide up and down instead of requiring i turn the phone sideways to use it (aside from these keyboard being too wide to type comfortably on, using an android phone sideways in most cases is pretty obnoxious).
Have you checked out the DROID pro? I know it's a little old now but I owned this phone and I loved it, my first smartphone was a treo and that's all I've been use to. I don't care what anyone says, physical keys especially portrait style keyboard is so much netter then landscape
MO3iusONE said:
Have you checked out the DROID pro? I know it's a little old now but I owned this phone and I loved it, my first smartphone was a treo and that's all I've been use to. I don't care what anyone says, physical keys especially portrait style keyboard is so much netter then landscape
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree with you more. That is a pretty wicked phone and that's exactly what I want but with a current generation OS and specs
I have a i9000 and a Droid Pro to replace it on the way.
But I think it will be too slow.
How's about the LG Optimus Pro
Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks
Caffeineshock said:
Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got you, but I highly doubt any company will sell that product, as the phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.
Aliciakeystx said:
I got you, but I highly doubt any company will sell that product, as the phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plus Android has sucked at bluetooth keyboards for a long time. Just the way a physical keyboard is handled by the OS sucks.
Every time you click on a text box your on-screen keyboard will appear regardless that you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected. I hate to bring Apple in this but they handle that so much better, like if external keyboard connected -> don't use half of the screen for the on-screen keyboard.
Update
Caffeineshock said:
Hey guys
I'm looking for a case with a slide able keyboard in it. There are some products for other phones that I found, like for an old iPhone 4 but nothing for our loved note 9.
If you see something please tell me.
It would be the only reason for me to use a case... Just imagine to slide out a real Bluetooth connected keyboard when you need to answer a long mail for example
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you man
I bought my Note9 because it makes the user interface /experience a little more
like the desktop i am used to. Tapping on a touchscreen is very ineffective so the S-pen and some tricks
really improve our everyday use.
I would also like to search for this item, first of all it should be a keyboard that flips/slide
as you will need a case for your phone anyways. Just look at this nice product (too bad its another phone)
but it offers a tactile real keyboard as the top cover:
store.planetcom.co.uk/products/gemini-pda-1
Currently found accessories
amazon.ca/Keyboard-BoxWave%C2%AE-SlimKeys-Bluetooth-Integrated/dp/B07HJGC369
Universal:
kanbkam.com/sa/en/microsoft-universal-bluetooth-keyboard-for-smartphone-and-tablet-black-9267671
Another universal item, kick-starter, I think its not available thou:
yahoo.com/news/brilliant-smartphone-keyboard-never-needs-recharged-154726860.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD5_pmfj4zRBRIkuhSWQk4dQ-QaBfod0TjbzHn5JXD-QVOh-vvawS-nT3W0Wz0gNB_52MkOQXOJzRPQDAd9CYQiY3e_hupvwJrrHBEifbzHBzwf4_F9wc3ooy9wTAh_CP-7nHBvQ47RMAa8rMc5cXkk9leSp-ROSGz0SpB5YW3YJ
This maybe could be something? Seems like its only a beta-product for Pixel phones at this moment:
Evo Type case from Tech21
watch?v=9w5fknQKOUk
Aliciakeystx said:
phone screen get bigger, no need an extra keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We´re old habits desktop users.
Wont never be as fast or productive with the touchscreen
apatcas said:
Plus Android has sucked at bluetooth keyboards for a long time. Just the way a physical keyboard is handled by the OS sucks.
Every time you click on a text box your on-screen keyboard will appear regardless that you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected. I hate to bring Apple in this but they handle that so much better, like if external keyboard connected -> don't use half of the screen for the on-screen keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really?
No fix for that?
i use b.o.w HB199 it is very compact
I have long hated the virtual keyboard. Well good news! You can tell it to hide when a hardware keyboard is present, it's in settings :input.
Now, I'd pay $100 for a GOOD slider keyboard specifically fitting our Note 9. I loved the Droid 2. That phone design was dope. A bigger qwerty slider would be amazing. I am faster with a slider keyboard. If there was such a thing... I'd pay up. I may try to 'make' one someday like I have seen some here do.