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Help me pick new smartphone!

Right now I have a T-Mobile dash, known as HTC Excalibur. I do llike the phone, however I have had it for three years and I just found out that the USB port on the phone looses contact and makes the phone difficult to charge.
I want to get another HTC smartphone running Windows Mobile, with Querty Keyboard. The phone must be able to sync to ms Outlook, and read/edit ms Word & Excel files. Also the phone MUST run off a SIM card.
Just by looking around this site, phones which come to my mind are; Blue Angel, Wizard, Hermes, Herald, Kaiser, Titan, Raphael, Wings...
I was looking around and I can get HTC Wizard for $140 on ebay. Is the wizard a good phone or should I look elsewhere? I dont want to spend more than $150...
I appreciate any inoput...

Don't get a Wizard at all, get at least a Tytn or Tytn II.

slick69 said:
Don't get a Wizard at all, get at least a Tytn or Tytn II.
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Click to collapse
I just got T-mobile G1, wasnt bad for $160 new from the store...
So far I am very happy with it...

Let us know how u like the G1 3G? I'm waiting on the tmob Touch Pro2 due in July...

Love my G1, even more so with the custom ROMs available as it has made the mobile much more complete. When it was originally released it felt rushed but everyone knew it had potential to improve and grow, due to the nature of Android - And boy has it done that!
Everything has improved from responsiveness, battery life, quality applications, louder external and internal volume for calls, A2DP support for Bluetooth stereo headsets, video recording, vastly improved camera software and more. The only thing that's missing (which is currently being developed) is Bluetooth OBEX support so users can finally send and receive files via Bluetooth.
As soon as that's implemented it will be the most complete smartphone I've ever used.

galaxys said:
Let us know how u like the G1 3G? I'm waiting on the tmob Touch Pro2 due in July...
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The G1 is awesome, just that awesome... It was well worth the $160 I spend on it...

the HTC FUZE

so, I am eligible for an upgrade on my contract August 16th and I currently have an iPhone first generation unlocked... I have a fake apn/3G/edge blocker on it because of the data plan and I don't want to get the iPhone 3GS because of the extra 30$ a month for the iphone, wifi is just fine. I heard a lot of bad things about the winmo OS but, after looking through these forums and seeing all the mods is it worth getting the FUZE? I was also interested in an unlocked HTC G1, but the only thing that turns me off with the G1 is the size....i like a physical keyboard(FUZE) and is small unlike the G1.... thanks for reading

thing about the fuze and windows mobile is that you need to invest some time customizing the phone to what you want... i got my fuze for around a week now(had windows mobile devices before, so not a stranger to flashing roms and tweaking)....
i'd say you need to spend at least a week figuring out WinMo, what rom to flash and what settings you want... then you can backup the settings and do whatever you want...
if you don't want to spend time, go back to Apple, 'dumbphones' or android...

The upsides and downsides about Windows Mobile are pretty much that it feels like a computer- you can spend a lot of time customizing it to get it to do exactly what you want.
The Fuze is a great device, I've really been enjoying mine. I wouldn't recommend an iPhone unless you're specifically looking for it- it has it's own niche role; it's neither computer-phone nor regular phone; but more of an iPod with a phone and a few nice apps.

Do not buy the FUZE as it is about 8 months old now. Its successor should be available before the end of the year.

HTC RHODIUM, simply the best.

thanks for the responses... I am between semesters so I will have like 3 weeks to play with the phone until my semester starts up again.
also, i looked up the RHODIUM, isnt that coming out for Sprint? I googled it otherwise just a CDMA phone.
also my iPhone is jailbroken not unlocked

Rhodium = Touch Pro 2...
Raphael = Touch Pro
they are the HTC codenames= brand names for the phones... carriers may brand them differently... should be able to find Rhodium GSM(AT&T or tmobile) versions in US..
though i'm not sure whether the price-featureUpgrade ratio is good enough...
TP2 over TP
-tilt keyboard
-larger screen (i like this).. 3.6 vs 2.8, 480x800 vs 480x640
-dual mike+dual speakers
-battery @ 1500mah over 1340mah
price? TP selling new @ $300, could get used between $200-$300

Expect either the Touch Pro2 or Diamond2 to be hitting AT&T in November. If your'e really serious about purchasing a winmo device I would wait for those. Both those devices will be receiving an upgrade to 6.5, the Fuze however will not be getting an (official) upgrade.

ah i see. well, like I said my upgrade isnt eligble till August 16 so hopefully there will be more info by then on the touch pro 2/fortress.... but I am definitely interested in the htc phone fuze or fortress/rhodium...no more iphone. i never paied for the iphone I have now because I did a friend a huge favor and he gave me it since he upgraded to a 3G. it has a crack in it but is bearable. I notice the crack is getting worse thou. and i dont want to get a no contract iphone for $800....

I went to the sprint kiosk at the mall today and looked at the touch pro (i couldnt at ATT cuz its gsm and no sim). I also went to the tmobile kiosk and looked at the dream. i was really impressed with the dream, its a nice lookin phone and works well. the touch pro, well I am glad I went to see it in person. It is a nice lookin phone, but I was not completely satisfied with the winmo. I am torn between the two. I may end up getting an unlocked dream and unlock it and get a data plan temporarily to unlock it. well, I am still deciding what I want to do. little more research time...

Blackstone or Hero

Blind as I am :
Can the Blackstone & Hero be compared?
Which is better?
Can either of these phones be bought & used in Florida?
Is there another carrier besides ATT & Sprint either can be used with?
Thank you.

I'd definately go with the Hero if you don't plan on watching long movies on the screen. And with the upcoming ROM update from HTC most of the lag will be gone.

Appreciate that but is the Hero out & what carrier carrier? Thanks this is important.

Well you can buy both for at&t unlocked but the catch is with both you'll be restricted to EDGE speeds since they both dont have NA 3G bands. Strictly based on preference I'd say Hero, but on multimedia go with the HD.

I use 3G, been to 4G, need it for the web , email, w/some phone. Think any one else will carry it? Where can it be purchased? Hey Thanks for this.

@antrak: Just wanted to know, why is the hero not good for watching long movies?

Well the Hero is for sure coming to sprint, Verizon will be getting the whitestone (both just cleared the FCC) which has more powerful specs than the current blackstone so that'll solve the 3G issue. If both aren't an option and you're staying on at&t then check out
http://www.expansys.com/smartphone
http://cell-phones.shop.ebay.com/Ce...uch+hd&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282
http://cell-phones.shop.ebay.com/i...._dmpt=Cell_Phones&_odkw=touch+hd&_osacat=3312

Hey sorry for not reading all the threads , just did, I'm with AT&T with my PC, I have this Omnia w/Verizon which is going to end before the 30 days. Where is this info that the Whitestone is going to TMO?

Check out these engadget articles

Thanks for that it looks like I'm going to have to sign out of Verizon & sign back in when the Whitestone arrives, guess I'm going to have to pay more att. to engadget.

Hey that Whitestone is the Touch Diamond 2!!! You mean that's finally on its way here? Yay, geesh I forgot about that one. Now it comes down to the Leo or the TD2. Patiently I wait... Thanks Man!

From OP original question.
I prefer Blackstone because WM.
Android needs to grow up more to be a really mature OS, perhaps in the near future, but not now...
Just my opinion.

Blackstone, Hero, Cliq or the "Leo"
Patiently waiting I now see the Leo & the Cliq. Do you have any info for a newer choice regarding these phones?
Personaly the Leo is one I have been waiting for the longest, I have no cell at the moment & I hope you send another reply. Thanks

cscoot03 said:
Patiently waiting I now see the Leo & the Cliq. Do you have any info for a newer choice regarding these phones?
Personaly the Leo is one I have been waiting for the longest, I have no cell at the moment & I hope you send another reply. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The real question is if you want android or windows mobile?
With,
Verizon you can get the Whitestone(CDMA Diamond2) when it comes out or the Touch Pro2. Both have a large 3.6 inch WVGA screen.
Sprint you can the Hero when it comes out next month or the Touch Pro2.
AT&t you can get the Diamond2 and TouchPro2 when they come out by the end of the year.
The unlocked Hero from Europe or the Blackstone can work on AT&T and T-Mobile, but have no 3g. So your stuck on edge, and that means slow internet speeds.
I would get the Whitestone or the Touch Pro2 cause they have 3g and have better specs then the Blackstone. If you want Android, and want the Hero(GSM). Get the Sprint Hero for the 3g.
As for the Leo, yes it's great. But no one knows when its coming out or where. So you might have to wait a while. And if it doesn't come to the US like the Blackstone did, you could pay a good penny for an non 3g phone.

In answer. No ATT,No Sprint, Verizon what do they have,nothing. KB with the TP2 I'm not crazy about,(seems bulky, had the Touch Pro, KB cramped) The D2 well having only virtual worries me. You see I'm kind of used to a touchscreen & KB since I've been with Sprint & had 6 of the 8 Palms up to the Pre.
I would like a large screen & the Leo with it's screen, but being virtual, I think I could adapt.
Wi/Fi mandatory, good battery a must. At least 3G speed (Rev A).
The D2 seemed nice with its large screen but the Leo does it one better.
Android is getting better but I've been with Windows for a while yet I do google.
So what do you think by my reply?
Hey Thanks for what you wrote.

BGR does a fine job letting us see & read reports on new phones. Here is where Leo's picture came from & the best review with the Diamond 2. I think the virtual KB is improving, so acceptable. If 'they' would devolop a dual OS I'd snap that up in a minute (as long as is has a large enough screen).
4G is now made, so if having to wait until 2010 I'll have no choice.

Pure v Tilt2

So, looking at switching to AT&T, but may not go for an iPhone. They offer the HTC Pure or HTC Tilt 2, so wonder which one is more feature packed, user friendly, upgradable, etc, for the cost. I can get the Pure for 50, or the Tilt for 150. I know, duh, go for the cheapest. But I believe in the "you get what you pay for" theory.
This forum has been a HUGE help in just dealing with my iPaq (I know, but the programs here work great on it!), so figure you guys are the experts. Any and all opinions are wanted!

Honestly there is not much difference between the two phones. biggest ones would be the tilt2 has a hardware keyboard and is bigger. and the pure has a 5mp camera they both have same processor memory etc. So really your decision should be based on whether you want a hardware key board or not, personaly, I have to have my HW keyboard
both devices are well supported here with many custom ROMs so upgrading will be no problem
Good Luck

Thanks Splinter. Now regarding ROM upgrading, I tried that with my iPaq (thanks again for trying Spaatie!), and wasn't able to. My concern is that if I go with AT&T, ROM upgrade wouldn't affect the phone portion, correct? And would I be able to get ROM's that simulate UI's like the HD2's, or would I just see if Androkkid would work on the phone instead of risking ROM upgrades?
Keep the opinions coming folks!

JerryA said:
So, looking at switching to AT&T, but may not go for an iPhone. They offer the HTC Pure or HTC Tilt 2, so wonder which one is more feature packed, user friendly, upgradable, etc, for the cost. I can get the Pure for 50, or the Tilt for 150. I know, duh, go for the cheapest. But I believe in the "you get what you pay for" theory.
This forum has been a HUGE help in just dealing with my iPaq (I know, but the programs here work great on it!), so figure you guys are the experts. Any and all opinions are wanted!
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Click to collapse
That will depend if a hardware keyboard device is a must for you, if so go for Rhodium!
It´s a great device
If you don´t care about keyboard you can go for Topaz...
Both are great HTC devices

yea, I would love to fork out the bucks for the HD2, BUT I need a phone that works with AT&T (plus 700 bucks is way out of my price range...actually....my wife's price range )
So just looking at Pure or Tilt2. Sounds as if its strickly a keyboard issue?

Yes, they have almost identical specs:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1750&id2=1751

Thanks Orb3000! That link was pretty much what I couldn't find! So, it looks like IF we go to the dark side, I will be getting that phone. I like the Tilt2 comes with a bit more accessible memory (though not ROM, wonder why), stereo speakers and an FM radio?! Thats just cool.
Thanks again, I knew you guys were the best at this stuff!
Now, 5 months from now, I may be back on wondering what ROM upgrades to do next to it!

i suggest looking into the device specific forums to have an idea of the options you have. rom upgrading is extremly easy now and many chefs have great roms.
just make sure you have the hard spl for the device. im kinda in the same possition as you are, my upgrade is available in april so i'll be getting a tilt2 to replace my fuze, and will be flashing it with energyrom as soon as i get home lol.

The Touch Pro 2 is a much better phone slightly bigger screen and a button qwerty keyboard, unless you dont care about the keyboard in which case the Pure might be better because it's slightly thinner.

Pick My New Phone

I am ready to toss out my old Wing (my Kaiser died) and am in the market for a new phone.
The problem I am having is that I feel like purchasing a phone now would be a mistake, since it is likely that a new, mo-betta version will be out in a month or so.
As such, I am willing to wait, up to three or four months if necessary, for the perfect phone.
I have been shopping around, visiting Gizmodo and the like, searching for the best possible phone that should last me until 2012.
Anyone have any suggestions? Buy now, or wait, and if so, which phone?

Comming form kaiser you must need a hardware keyboard.
If that is correct you have 2 options:
1. Buy now a great Rhodium (the best hardware keyboard to this date)
2. Wait a few months and go for the Tera (smaller screen than Rhodium
Let us know what you´ve got

If you don't need a hardware keyboard, HD2 all the way!

If you want some new excitement from the old WM scene, then go for the awesome Nexus One android on tmobile!

Honestly, its either you settle for already out of date with any WM6.5 phone or you go for Android for which updates will keep on rolling out straight from the manufacturer. Windows Phone Series 7 was just announced, but its not going to be available until the holidays... that's 10 months from now. So if you get an HD2, unless there are ROM leaks (which are unlikely given the hush environment thus far and the fact that the ZuneHD can't be yet be cracked), your stuck with WM6.5. If you get a Touch Pro2, your already a year behind, as the hardware specifications was released a over year ago in the original Xperia X1. So honestly, Nexus One or X10 (assuming you want XDA support) are probably the way to go, if you want your phone to last you a long time. Otherwise, iPhone 3GS or Palm Pre, as both of those will definitely get all OS updates likely for the next 2 years.

Hey, Guys, thanks for the suggestions thus far.
For clarification;
I am currently on T-Mobile and with three lines, will probably be with them for a while. I also travel to Africa and Europe from time to time, so I prefer a Quad-Band, if this is still the tech for that.
I do like my hardware QWERTY, but the Wing's keyboard is lacking so I've kinda gotten used to the on-screen keyboard. I really liked Kaiser's keyboard though...
I don't like WinMo7's new interface, per the hand's-on reviews I've seen. I guess this means I'll be looking at Android.
So far, I like the Nexus One best due to the 1ghz processor, but I've read bad things about the contract(s). I'll probably end up buying the phone outright if I can get away with no contracts at all.
I checked out the Rhodium but the specs were a little light for me. Does anyone have one that can testify to it's capabilities? Looks like HTC's TouchFlo is built-in...

Snarksneeze said:
Hey, Guys, thanks for the suggestions thus far.
For clarification;
I am currently on T-Mobile and with three lines, will probably be with them for a while. I also travel to Africa and Europe from time to time, so I prefer a Quad-Band, if this is still the tech for that.
I do like my hardware QWERTY, but the Wing's keyboard is lacking so I've kinda gotten used to the on-screen keyboard. I really liked Kaiser's keyboard though...
I don't like WinMo7's new interface, per the hand's-on reviews I've seen. I guess this means I'll be looking at Android.
So far, I like the Nexus One best due to the 1ghz processor, but I've read bad things about the contract(s). I'll probably end up buying the phone outright if I can get away with no contracts at all.
I checked out the Rhodium but the specs were a little light for me. Does anyone have one that can testify to it's capabilities? Looks like HTC's TouchFlo is built-in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile US or Europe?

sonus said:
T-Mobile US or Europe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, T-Mobile US.

Snarksneeze said:
Hey, Guys, thanks for the suggestions thus far.
For clarification;
I am currently on T-Mobile and with three lines, will probably be with them for a while. I also travel to Africa and Europe from time to time, so I prefer a Quad-Band, if this is still the tech for that.
I do like my hardware QWERTY, but the Wing's keyboard is lacking so I've kinda gotten used to the on-screen keyboard. I really liked Kaiser's keyboard though...
I don't like WinMo7's new interface, per the hand's-on reviews I've seen. I guess this means I'll be looking at Android.
So far, I like the Nexus One best due to the 1ghz processor, but I've read bad things about the contract(s). I'll probably end up buying the phone outright if I can get away with no contracts at all.
I checked out the Rhodium but the specs were a little light for me. Does anyone have one that can testify to it's capabilities? Looks like HTC's TouchFlo is built-in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Snark, I suggest you get the T-Mobile HTC HD2 for the U.S. I suggest you wait 2 months for the HTC HD2 to be released. I think you will be able to unlock it and make it work elsewhere if you travel.

Nexus One or HTC Bravo hands down.
Once you go android you wont go back

I like what I've read about the HD2, the specs seem to be in line with the Nexus One.
Both phones look nice, but the Nexus One seems to have an edge on the HD2, since the Android OS is open source and the HD2's OS is months from being obsolete.
From everything I've read, it looks as if WinMo7 will be locked down and that really worries me. The only reason I've stuck with WinMo phones is because of you great folks here at xda-dev. If they lock down WinMo7, how long will this site continue to offer the support they so freely give to WinMo users?
As far as the Nexus One goes, I can see that some of you are already offering OS updates for Android phones, so I suppose that this is the only way to move forward?
HD2 Pros: Can expect subsidization from my carrier.
HD2 Cons: Appears to run WinMo6.5, will the support last 2 years or more?
Nexus One Pros: Open-Source OS, tons of apps and supports and growing!
Nexus One Cons: Not subsidized under my current plan, more expensive to start but cheaper in the long run.
Thanks to everyone responding so positively! You've given me a lot to think about and a bunch of phones to review!

Seems to be a bit of excitement about the HTC Desire (nee Bravo, nee Passion) and according to the folks at modaco, its specs rival and sometimes surpass the Nexus One.
From the (leaked) photos, it sports the Sense UI and has a optical trackball for onscreen navigation.
Still no hardware keyboard, but I have the feeling that this is going to be a rare beast in the future anyway. At one point it was a must-have, but since the iPhone made it without one, the newer phones look to be pushing the envelope as well.
I will be waiting for HTC's MWC announcement today. I suspect they will offer it to Orange first in Europe and then hope to drop it in the States by X-Mas. If so, I could always order one and have it shipped overseas, but I would probably opt for the Nexus One in that case first...

Yesterday I bought the TouchPro2. It's pretty nice, but I am seriously missing the extra hardware buttons I use to interact with the Start Menu and my fav eBook reader :-(
I'm loving the awesome RAM and the nearly unlimited ROMs out there. EnergyROM's main thread has over 1000 pages already, wow!
As soon as the HD2 is back in stock, I'll be switching over to it and giving the Rhodium to my wife.
Thanks to everyone who responded with the great ideas and sorry it took me so long to actually buy the phone, LOL!

Great choice!
You won´t regret!
Rhodium is so far the best hardware keyboard device on the market
Even if not having the great 1ghz processor

Perhaps a poll is in order of the choices you are thinking about? We can let the numbers do the talking. I also agree that Android is where it is at in this day and age.