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Which phone should I go for, new choices :-/

Hi,
I currently have the iphone 3G and am soon due an upgrade so been looking at the available phones. I have considered the iphone 3GS, but do not think that the minor upgrades are worth the cash, and also (and probably more importantly) I am wanting a new challenge. As amazing as the iphone is I feel I need something new to play with.
I want a phone with a capacitive touchscreen, that is quick. Quick on the internet and quick at opening apps and programs. I want it to be good for emails, and internet browsing. Ideally I'd like a phone with as little limitations as possible, ie one you can manipulate, change layouts, home pages etc etc (obviously you don't get this with the iphone, it is as it is unless you jailbreak it)
I thought over the past couple of days I had narrowed it down to the HTC HD2 after asking numerous questions on this site (leo forum), but today have found another couple of interesting phones, the nokia x6 and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. I know this is a HTC/xda forum, but as you guys seem very knowledgeable I thought I'd ask your advice
I'm afraid some of the technology is moving too fast for me and so some of the OS's I'm not too familiar with. Obviously I know that the iphone runs off the iphone OS, which while works flawlessly imo but has many limitations. I know that the HD2 runs off windows mobile 6.5 (which gets bad reviews) but HTC have covered this up well. I know that with windows phones though you can pretty much customise everything, and tweak the phone to your hearts content. And sooner or later windows mobile 7 will be released
And then there's the Android OS, and I'm not familiar with this at all. All I know is that it's an OS that allows a lot of flexibility. As the X10 will be an android phone what will this mean? How much will you be able to customise and tweak the phone? Can you run microsoft office documents on it (ie word and excel).
With any of these phones can you change the UI, ie if there's an aspect of it you don't like eg if you don't like the way it scrolls from one picture to another can you change this? Can you change backgrounds and layouts of home pages, or media pages etc?
And then there's the inevitable apps question. I was disappointed by the windows marketplace but it was explained to me that it is relatively new, and also you can get apps from anywhere for the windows phones. Where exactly and how much do they cost etc. The same question for the android phones?
And finally, I've looked at demos of the X10 and on internet browsing it shows to zoom in and out you have designated zoom buttons onscreen, does this mean that it's not multitouch, ie you can't pinch to zoom in and out as in the HD2 and iphone?
Any comments or help about any of these phones is greatly appreciated.
Cheers

From the options you mention I would choose Leo and also add Rhodium (the best hardware keyboard device to this date)
And remember that if you choose a non HTC device you won´t get the great support XDA gives to HTC devices, which for me is a big plus!
Just my opinion.
Good luck on your quest

I am in a very similar situation.
My contract is up but I don't know which phone to get.
Having had the HTC Kaiser with Windows Mobile for the last 2 years (and Windows Mobile phones before that), I would advise anybody to stay away from WM until Microsoft actually released WM7 and catches up to the other mobiles OSs (iphone and android). And I am the "Microsoft" guy amongst people I know!
For me the decision is whether to give the iPhone a chance or whether I should wait for a decent Android phone to come out. I don't like being walled into Apple's walled garden nor do I want to use itunes (and all that other apple crap). On the other hand, Android phones to date have too small screens (3.2") and (in typical HTC fashion) are too slow.
I have high hopes for the Sony Xperia X10, the HTC Bravo, the Moto Milestone and the Acer A1.
I will likely make my decision in January. If one of the above 4 phones comes out with tri-band 3G and support for at&t 3G, I will get it. Otherwise, I will get an iphone 3GS.

Have you looked at the lg expo? it is totally sweet. i think that i will be getting one.

You need the power of Android & XDA:
1.Htc legen
2. google nexus
3. htc bravo
4. moto milestone
5. HD2?

Get the HTC HD2 & WM & have fun on XDA now. Or wait for the HTC Bravo, Nexus & other bigger screen androids.

Are Android phones the next big thing then? What makes them better than iphone OS and WinMo?
The X10 is set for release in January, this is android and has a 4" screen. When is the HTC BRavo set for release, and how will this compare to the HD2?

HTC HD2 vs/or HTC Desire?

Hi all,
I am new to the forum and am in the process of updating my Next G phone. I am limited by time as my current phone [Blackberry Bold 9000] is fast becoming unusable and I will have to make a choice quickly, maybe tomorrow. The HD2 impressed me, especially with the Roms being developed and available. Making Windows more user friendly and taking the phone to its best. Talking with my phone provider - Telstra, they informed me that the HTC Desire is just now on the market and I am reading glowing reports on the latest Android system and the Desire... So I have been researching all I can on these 2 phones. I have only a little Windows mobile experience from some years ago with an Imate, however have no experience with the Android system.
I don't plan on returning to Blackberry and have narrowed my choice to ether the HD2 or the Desire... This phone will be on a renewed 24 month business contract, so is a phone I will "be with" for sometime! I do understand many of the criticisms of Windows mobile and the very positive reaction to the latest Android system. Also that the all new Windows 7 will be available later in the year. The Desire reads very well in its specs and the few reviews that are available have it as the one to beat for 2010? The HD2 has had much more reviews and comment available, having been on the market longer. Many people satisfied with the phone in standard form [and some not so] and many very happy with it in its modified form with custom Rom.... My decision doesn't seem easier.
Some areas I am thinking on are - Will the HD2 become dated quickly, with fewer windows 6.5 apps and less dev work once the totally new Windows 7 becomes available and the new handsets reach the market? Does this make the current Desire with its latest Android system a better long term option as it is not faced with the release of a whole new operating system just around the corner within its brand and apps and updates will continue to grow? Part of me is saying go with my original choice of the HD2 and its big screen, with a custom Rom. AND, part of me is saying go with the new Android Desire.... ohhh and yes I have read reference to Dev work being done on Windows 7 for the HD2 [That's a potential plus]
Unfortunately I am not in a situation of being able to handle and get to know these phones pre purchase. However would be interested to hear the thoughts of others ie: what would have you chose one over the other?
cheers,
Cam...

Welcome to forums,
I would prefer Leo
Have a look here

I've had both What do you want it for? If you need WM for office use get the HD2 otherwise get the desire! Android is much better in a social aspect I would say. The only thing I like about the HD2 was the Sense overlay and it is the same if not better on the desire
Oh and there is a gameboy advanced emulator on the desire which works great... just in case that would be a deciding factor for you

pympster said:
I've had both What do you want it for? If you need WM for office use get the HD2 otherwise get the desire! Android is much better in a social aspect I would say. The only thing I like about the HD2 was the Sense overlay and it is the same if not better on the desire
Oh and there is a gameboy advanced emulator on the desire which works great... just in case that would be a deciding factor for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Morphgear and Fpsece work well on the HD2.
I must say I prefer the look of the HD2 and the bigger screen, but android is just that much better than WM and thus think you should get the desire.

I am a farmer/rancher and also have a small business importing workwear/casual wear from the USA. I will use the phone for accessing manufacturer websites. Storing photos of my products. Recording expenses, checking weather updates. Email and Instant messaging... I do travel from time to time and recently sat next to a guy on a flight who was wathcing James Bond movies on his Ipod touch. That was neat I did contact HTC Australia a month ago, to see if the HD2 would be released with Android here Down Under, but was told not planned at present and my contact and interest would be passed on. Of course thats what is always said. I have to think long term use out of this phone ie: to 24 months - The Desire seems a great choice, however would the HD2 with an aftermarket custom Rom be equally as good? Which is the best rom around right now? Will Windows 6.5 App availability continue to rise once Windows 7 hits the streets or will it taper off? Android Apps I am sure will continue to grow...

I have a Leo, so far i love it in every way possible. I had an android device before and i think they are a lot easier to use. Yet i still wouldn't trade my Leo for the world

Yes, my personal preference is Android. WM has always proved to be too slow and buggy for me. But hey, it's all about YOUR preference. You can't really go on what we say. 10/10 of us might say get one phone, and you might get it and hate it. Too bad you can't try before you buy on cell phones. :/

I totally agree and am not looking to be told what direction to take. More intertested in hearing why others would choose one phone over the other...
Yep woud great to handle both phones and see them working. I live rural, tho did get into Telstra shop to take a look, but had nothing for me to see working.
Cheers.

cam0063 said:
I totally agree and am not looking to be told what direction to take. More intertested in hearing why others would choose one phone over the other...
Yep woud great to handle both phones and see them working. I live rural, tho did get into Telstra shop to take a look, but had nothing for me to see working.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never buy a phone I didn't get to at least play with first. All the videos and reviews in the world couldn't change that.

I like that policy too. However when u live rural, somethings are not possible and research is your best tool...

I would go with the Desire. The HD2 is running Windows Mobile 6.5, which is still pretty much the same underlying Windows CE kernel that's been in use since Windows Mobile 5. Because been confirmed that the HD2 will not recieve an offical Windows Mobile 7 upgrade, meaning your new shiny phone will be obsolete by the end of the year, you likely be stuck with this obsolete operating system forever if you buy this device. The only option would be an unofficial port of Windows Phone 7 to the HD2, but I'm not sure how that is coming along lately.
Conversely, Android is constantly undergoing development, and seeing as the Desire is a top of the line Android device, updates to the latest versions of Android are pretty much guaranteed for that device. The Desire will probably have support for longer than the HD2, considering it won't be obsolete only a few months after you bought it.
I don't think that you could go wrong when choosing a new device, as they're both top of the line smartphones with grade A hardware and XDA behind them, but IMO the Desire is the superior of the two.

cam0063 said:
I like that policy too. However when u live rural, somethings are not possible and research is your best tool...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, you're talking to a guy who would drive at least an hour no question, just to play with a phone to make sure I liked it. You can't be THAT rural. Can you? o.o

Thanks Dave, I do appreciate all you have said. I did read that Microsoft was not going to allow Windows 7 to be installed on the HD2 and that there were devs out there working on Windows 7 as an unofficial OS for the HD2. The desire is a great option and makes sense, especially for the obvious reasons you mention... I have managed to gain a couple of extra days to make a decision, as I will not be in a mobile service area and not in desperate need of the phone till Monday. Thanks again...

Hi R3s,
I take it you havent been to Australia? At present I am a 6 hour round trip from the nearest Telstra shop. [Telstra is the contracted provider of these phones right now.] Also a week ago, on a visit to the nearest Telstra shop to my home - a 2 hour return trip, I was informed there will be no shop demos available of these phones, only the non functioning store dummies! Which is the norm... I will travel 6 hours for a beer, but not 6 hours to look at a phone!, especially a store dummy So I will keep researching.

Nexus One GETS NEW FROYO updates, but HD2 DOESN'T GET WP7!?

Outrageous. Simply outrageous...why would MS not do that for HD2?.....

Microsoft has some pretty strict hardware requirements for WM7. It's also an entirely new, different OS - you can't drop an engine from a MAC truck into a Smart car.

angingrich said:
Microsoft has some pretty strict hardware requirements for WM7. It's also an entirely new, different OS - you can't drop an engine from a MAC truck into a Smart car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, WP7 can be dropped into an HD2, due to the fact that both WM6.5 and WP7 both are Windows CE based, but that doesn't mean it can be done. Then again there are videos of WP7 on HD2, but that doesn't mean anything. We'll see what happens with the HD2 when it comes to WP7. I ended up ditching my HD2 for a Desire, due to M$'s stupid move
BTW, I've seen people who drop big V8s in Minis, and look at Volkswagen cramming a W12 motor in a bloody GOLF! (Yes I watch too much Top Gear)

Who knows why they would do that... maybe because Nexus One runs Android and HD2 runs WM. Maybe because Micro$oft and Google are two different companies... just some ideas.

Mainly because Android Linux is open source! Unfortunately, MS WM has been closed and continues to fall farther behind other OS's.

HD2 WP7!
There was never any doubt in my mind that we will be swimming in cooked WinMo7 roms for our HD2 in no time.
But I don't believe there will ever be an official t-mobile ROM update. This is not entirely t-mobiles fault, but rather Big Brother Bill Gates does not want removable MicroSD cards on WinMo7 for some stupid reason.
...and the missing Camera button is another no no according to Reverend Bill Gates and co.

Why? Because if you want WP7 MS would prefer it (for obvious reasons) that you go out and give them more cash by buying a WP7!
As already pointed out, this not the same diference as going up a release level with Android, its a new launch not an upgrade.

WP7 is NOT an upgrade, its a brand new development.
Meaning they are not upgrading/datings existing technology, they are starting over. So I can fully understand why they wouldn't want to give older phones new technology - Not exactly a great business plan.
Android updates are exactly that, updates to the existing OS
the HD2 a year old by the time WP7 starts dropping for real. Year old phones generally mean out of date phones (not always though...).
WP7 looks like a phail-OS to me anyway. To much apple there

[Q] HTC phone with Windows Phone 7?

Okay, do you guys expect the new phone with the WP7 OS of HTC in the future? Though the HTC has publiced several models last year，it did not satify everyone who using the wp7 phone of htc.
With the mango edition releasing, several top equipment Manufacturers have cooperated with the MS company，especialy the Nokia. But I do not expect too much to Nokia,just take look at its new WP7 phones's specification, I feel so disappointed, I hope it go better！
Are you confident in the WP7?

[Q] Would it be wise to "upgrade" from HD2 to Sensation?

I'm a WM guy. From the days Windows Mobile 2003, WM 5, WM 6, 6.1 to WM6.5.
Tried WP7 but found it inmature, crippled, limited, sterile and lacking all the power user features of the WM6.5
So I jumped back to my trusty T9193 HD2 with custom WM6.5 Energy ROM. It is the Telstra Australia version of HTC HD2 running on USA AT&T 3G Bands.
Due to the lack of support from the apps developing community for Windows Mobile 6.5, I'm feeling tempted to get my hands on a Telstra Z710a HTC Sensation. Since Telstra Australia uses the same 3G (850MHz/1900MHz) bands as AT&T USA, it should be no problem to get it to work here (I suppose).
Of course Android is not WM6.5 but is a promissing, well featured, mature OS with a huge community of apps and ROMs developers.
After some reading on the forum, I found lots of people complaining about the display quality, the power-off charging issue and some other issues. Being an Australian phone, it will be a pain to get warranty repairs or exchange here in the states.
Due to these issues, Would it be wise to "upgrade" from my HD2 to the Sensation?

I'll get lynched for saying this, but iOS is the more mature platform (2007 vs Android's 2008) with more apps available if that is what you are looking for. Moreover, if you are worried about warranty and repairs, Apple usually takes good care of their customers.

I also was using an HD 2 for T-Mobile running the Energy Rom and I've been using the Sensation since it came out...no regrets!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

I left my HD2 for the Sensation. Android is in a whole different league than WinMo 6.5. I actually had Android ROM's on my HD2 and still do. My Girlfriend uses my HD2 with the Android OS on it. I stopped using WinMo as soon as Android Nand came out for the HD2.
Either way, do it. You won't regret it.

The HD2 served me well. It was my first Android phone (Well.. with it flashed of course) and it was GREAT however I hit problems such as a dead touchscreen after a year (Which warranty fixed) than it overheating every damn time it had to do anything intensive or even because of heat. I sent it to HTC and they sent it back the same way saying they fixed it.. Though it persisted. Sent it back a week later, this time I made it a point to tell them that they did NOTHING last time and wasted my money by sending it back without doing any changes. (My WinMo rom was still there with settings I changed specifically to see if they even did a ROM wipe.) They exchanged the motherboard the 2nd time and it was great.. for about a month.. than the overheating began once again. I mean I'm not even doing things like watching long videos or playing video games.. All I did was run it as a phone.. browsed the net for 10 minutes at a time 2 times max a day.. texted a few.. and it would die..
Going off a tangent, but you won't regret the switch to the Sensation 4G.. You won't see much change if you are just going to use it as a phone though! Gaming/video watching will be a lot better however

depends
My .02$.
Depends on what you are using the phone for. I actually am keeping my HD2 because of the great office integration and ability of the OS. If you have a shortage of apps you might be looking in the wrong place. True, the official marketpalce is seriously lacking in apps, however a quick search of the world wide web will reveal many many more. However as far as multi-media and gaming, the sensation wins hands down. Btw, Ive had android and am currently running WP7 on my phone because of the, once again, great office integration plus the rapidly expanding marketplace. I just love the ability to switch Roms and OS's like no other phone can. It truly is a superphone. What other phone has the ability to remain "current" after two years in this rapidly developing digital world?

gattech said:
I'm a WM guy. From the days Windows Mobile 2003, WM 5, WM 6, 6.1 to WM6.5.
Tried WP7 but found it inmature, crippled, limited, sterile and lacking all the power user features of the WM6.5
So I jumped back to my trusty T9193 HD2 with custom WM6.5 Energy ROM. It is the Telstra Australia version of HTC HD2 running on USA AT&T 3G Bands.
Due to the lack of support from the apps developing community for Windows Mobile 6.5, I'm feeling tempted to get my hands on a Telstra Z710a HTC Sensation. Since Telstra Australia uses the same 3G (850MHz/1900MHz) bands as AT&T USA, it should be no problem to get it to work here (I suppose).
Of course Android is not WM6.5 but is a promissing, well featured, mature OS with a huge community of apps and ROMs developers.
After some reading on the forum, I found lots of people complaining about the display quality, the power-off charging issue and some other issues. Being an Australian phone, it will be a pain to get warranty repairs or exchange here in the states.
Due to these issues, Would it be wise to "upgrade" from my HD2 to the Sensation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest thing to me was getting over the issue of not having the physical buttons. Still bugs me from time to time. The biggest button I miss is the end call/power button.
Like you I'm still down for WM6.5, honestly I saw nothing wrong with it. However I did install Android on my HD2 and liked it. Call it my test run for the final migration to Android full time.
The speaker doesn't seem to be as loud as the HD2 but works. The camera can zoom while recording video BUT doesn't have MP4 format as an option. I hope S-Off can take care of that somewhere (recording format).

kwambewright said:
My .02$.
Depends on what you are using the phone for. I actually am keeping my HD2 because of the great office integration and ability of the OS. If you have a shortage of apps you might be looking in the wrong place. True, the official marketpalce is seriously lacking in apps, however a quick search of the world wide web will reveal many many more. However as far as multi-media and gaming, the sensation wins hands down. Btw, Ive had android and am currently running WP7 on my phone because of the, once again, great office integration plus the rapidly expanding marketplace. I just love the ability to switch Roms and OS's like no other phone can. It truly is a superphone. What other phone has the ability to remain "current" after two years in this rapidly developing digital world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also this!

In my experience mate, it's only an upgrade on paper
I have the Australian (Telstra) version of the Sensation and can only speak from experience with this, but I got far better performance out of a NAND ROM on my 9193 than I did with this heap (stock). That changed a bit once I S-OFFed and put a custom ROM/kernel on there, but Sense is still laggy as all buggery and my Atrix still runs rings around it. Even putting a new Launcher over the top hasn't made it 'feel' like a dual-core, like the Atrix and GS2 do.
I still use my 9193, it's my work phone. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. It's far too good an all-rounder and far too well supported.
In terms of flexibility, you are already sitting on the ultimate device. It will be a long time before we see another device with the support and variety that LEO got.
I think if you're asking the question, you may already know the answer
Good luck either way, your 9193 will get an excellent price in the Marketplace should you decide to sell

Thanks for the suggestions and advise!
Specialy from all of you, the ones that still keep and use their HD2s.
I work as IT Specialist and for me the HD2 is like a swiss army knife. I carry in its storage card all the files and apps I need to keep my networks and clients up and running in no time. Its a matter of connecting the phone to any network pc to upload the file needed and presto.
I don't know of any other phone with such flexibility and integration with the pc enviroment.
I was tempted by the "lack of support" from the apps comumunity but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.
I love the HTC HD2, this is the one that started it all!
I think I'll wait some time to see how it goes with the Sensation or if HTC comes with something comparable or better for AT&T.

I was using HD2 for long time , energy roms then moved to android on HD2 , when i did try the android couldn't back again to the WM so i bought the sensation for smoother and more performance android, and hangs anymore