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Considering a Photon to replace HTC Hero

T

TravelDave

Newbie
Hey Mopho people! While I could probably find a lot of answers digging through the forums for a day, I thought I'd try the lazy approach and post a general question.

I'm considering getting a Photon to replace my 2 year old HTC Hero. I rooted my Hero so I could do the occasional wireless tether, but never flashed a new ROM (still using the stock Sense ROM).

My main question is whether there will be any surprises switching from the Hero to a Motorola. I know I'll lose my HTC Sync program which syncs to my Outlook at work, but can probably get them to do a wireless sync. Any other things I should know about switching to the Photon. Any random tidbits or other tips are greatly appreciated.

Will poke around the root forums later to see about rooting the thing. Maybe this time I'll even change out the ROM.

Thanks,
Dave
 
The HTC One is being announced by Sprint/HTC in a couple days. Its a pretty awesome device. I would seriously suggest waiting until you see what that device is.

I've been very happy with the quality of the phone signal in the Photon, but I have been disappointed with the quality of the display.

I think I will be upgrading to the HTC One, or perhaps waiting to see what the Photon 4G replacement is.

I've found HTC's Sense to be really well designed and embedded pretty deep in Android. Motorola's customization is not as polished as Sense.

I can't believe your still using the Hero...I loathe that phone...sooo slow.
 
TravelDave said:
Hey Mopho people! While I could probably find a lot of answers digging through the forums for a day, I thought I'd try the lazy approach and post a general question.

I'm considering getting a Photon to replace my 2 year old HTC Hero. I rooted my Hero so I could do the occasional wireless tether, but never flashed a new ROM (still using the stock Sense ROM).

My main question is whether there will be any surprises switching from the Hero to a Motorola. I know I'll lose my HTC Sync program which syncs to my Outlook at work, but can probably get them to do a wireless sync. Any other things I should know about switching to the Photon. Any random tidbits or other tips are greatly appreciated.

Will poke around the root forums later to see about rooting the thing. Maybe this time I'll even change out the ROM.

Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...


I'm guessing that you need a phone that works worldwide.
I'm not sure if any of the known upcoming phones have that capability.

My advice would be to pick up a used PHOTON.
Reason being is that it's a 4G WIMAX phone. Depending on which version of 4G (WIMAX or LTE) is in your home market, it really wouldn't make sense to get a WIMAX phone on a 2YR upgrade/contract if LTE is coming soon.

However, if you have good 4G WIMAX coverage in your area, the PHOTON would be a solid choice, as the WIMAX coverage will be supported until 2014/2015.

I'd hurry down to your local SPRINT, BEST BUY, etc.... to try one out,this phone will not be on the shelf much longer (APR 2012 est. End of Life).
The warranty & support will still be in force for the PHOTON, it just won't be re-stocked once supplies have been depleted.
 
Wow, I didn't realize they were doing different 4G networks. I'm not sure what they are going to use in Phoenix. Is the new HTC going to be LTE? Would an LTE phone also work on WIMAX?

International isn't critical, but could be useful.

And yes, the Hero is painful. Sprint screwed up my upgrade schedule by using my upgrade on one of the other lines on my account, so I've had to be patient (te iPad helps a little with that).

Thanks!
 
Sprint has 2 versions of 4G: WIMAX & LTE.

WIMAX was rolled out initially in 2008/2009. This gave Sprint bragging rights as having the 'first 4G network'.

Verizon and AT&T later came out with their version of 4G which is LTE. LTE is a better way of implementing 4G.

Starting this year Sprint is rolling out LTE.

LTE & WIMAX are not compatible. WIMAX phones (Every current 4G Sprint phone) only work on WIMAX. LTE Phones (starting with the HTC One) will only work on LTE.

The best thing is to call Sprint and ask when LTE will be in your area. If it's over 6 months, you might want to get the WIMAX phone and have '4G' until LTE is rolled out in your area.

LTE will be in my area before the end of the year...so I am looking at LTE Phones.
 
Stopped by the Sprint store. Definitely need to go LTE. Considering the Samsung (one of the Galaxy ones) but may wait a month or so to see the HTC). Apparently a new Samsung will becoming out around June as well) .
 
Stay away from Samsung. Horrendous signal strength. I've had the Nexus S 4G & Galaxy SII on Sprint and returned both because of it. Lots of complaints on the Galaxy Nexus for the same reason.
 
My boss and my neighbor both have the Samsung Epic 4G touch and both state how bad GPS work on the phone.

I would not be caught buying a samsung due to repeated negative reports about signal issues.
 
The only smartphone brand I really haven't had severe issues with is Motorola. My HTC EVO 4G was great until gingerbread came out and the phone went to hell. My next upgrade won't be for another year and a half but I'm extremely happy with my Photon. It does everything I want and need out of a phone. I will be very cautious about upgrading to ICS since I wouldn't want to have the same thing happen like my EVO. If the reviews aren't stellar, I'll root and go CM9.
 
I would never get another one. They constantly reboot and cant use them as a phone. If you hit the speaker button they become all static.
 
If you can grin and bare it until July (or August, if possible), I'd wait. HTC is supposed to be announcing the EVO One today (rumored sale date of June 6), I'm anticipating Motorola will be releasing another phone on Sprint (likely in July, since that's when the Photon was released), and Samsung will likely follow w/ the SGS 3 in August.

Only reason I'd upgrade to the Photon is if you could get it for inexpensive off contract right now on ebay or craig's list or wherever else. Otherwise, I don't know if it'd be worth using an upgrade on since the Photon is supposedly on the "End Of Life" list.
 
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