Droid Bionic launching late April

[Zaggs]

The HTC Thunderbolt is a WAY overrated phone, it's mainly a Droid X from HTC. I don't understand why HTC would put that much into a phone and not give it dual-core? Maybe they just rushed it out so they could be the first LTE phone. But this is EXACTLY my point. Motorola and HTC are essentially rivals in the mobile world, so why would Motorola let HTC grab all the early LTE adopters??

Or maybe they wanted to and verizon said no, which is why ATT has the better of the 2 phones??

And that other phone I don't even count. Anyone who's interested in that almost never will be interested in a Droid.

I'm just curious as to why the Atrix is better and comes early and the Bionic is worse and comes MUCH later.Release them both at the same time and get jump start on Dual-Core and LTE phones. But now they're probably be late to the game and lose the head start they could of had.

I'm interested to see what comes out at MWC. We know Nvidia will have the 3D chips ready by the time the Bionic is released.

Don't know if the Thunderbolt is that over-rated only because most see it as a slightly improved EVO. So yes first out the door probably played a big part in their design (HTC) decision.
Why the Atrix is dropping sooner is easy, its not on a real (real for the sake of this comparison) 4G network. The Bionic as far as I know will be Moto's first LTE phone, so its not surprising that it would take longer then another HSPA+ phone.

 

[mb01]

Yeah. But my guess is that this is more motorolas doing. By the time this phone comes out it'll be WAY outdated. Its almost outdated as it is. LG already abounding a dual core 3D. Was stoked for this phone, but now I couldn't care less.

Outdated? just because of LGs talk of 3d on a phone? That doesn't make sense. First, LG is only saying they are WORKING on a 3D smartphone. Second, 3D in a glasses-free form is still garbage and will take quite a while before it is even decent (I simply care nothing for 3D anyways). Third, 3D is simply a visual effect, it will in no way improve anything on the phone besides create some sort of trendy selling point for morons. Just as well, I guarantee Verizon will not be getting the first LG 3D phone anyways, I can promise either ATT, Sprint or T-Mo will get it. The next big thing is that Nvidia is already getting started on quad-core processing for mobiles. That is gonna be out most likely a year after Bionic launches. The Thunderbolt will, however, be outdated on launch. An "upgraded" old processor and SLCD crappy resolution screen with the same old 1400 mAh battery? Come on. Some people may be fine with paying $300 every 10 months for a new phone, I prefer making my phone last a little longer.

 

[jreed2560]

Don't know if the Thunderbolt is that over-rated only because most see it as a slightly improved EVO. So yes first out the door probably played a big part in their design (HTC) decision.
Why the Atrix is dropping sooner is easy, its not on a real (real for the sake of this comparison) 4G network. The Bionic as far as I know will be Moto's first LTE phone, so its not surprising that it would take longer then another HSPA+ phone.

Just had this discussion at work. Basically there isn't that much difference in the design of the phone from hspa to hspa+. LTE is a much bigger upgrade and hence the design process of the phone took longer. Sure, At&t is touting the atrix as 4g but when the bionic launches LTE will have spread to 36 more markets and will blow hspa+ out of the water.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

Just had this discussion at work. Basically there isn't that much difference in the design of the phone from hspa to hspa+. LTE is a much bigger upgrade and hence the design process of the phone took longer. Sure, At&t is touting the atrix as 4g but when the bionic launches LTE will have spread to 36 more markets and will blow hspa+ out of the water.

Do we know where and when LTE will be available? I'd be very curious to see when it's going to be in my area.

 

[jreed2560]

These are the initial cities:


Akron, Ohio
Athens, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Baltimore, Maryland
Boston, Massachusetts
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Dallas, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Houston, Texas
Jacksonville, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota
Nashville, Tennessee
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York, New York
Oakland, California
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Orlando, Florida
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Phoenix, Arizona
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rochester, New York
San Antonio, Texas
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
Seattle/Tacoma, Washington
St. Louis, Missouri
Tampa, Florida
Washington, D.C.
West Lafayette, Indiana
West Palm Beach, Florida

And these are the ones that are due for the 1H 2011:

Huntsville, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Little Rock, Arkansas
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Gainesville, Florida
Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kahului-Wailuku, Hawaii
Lahaina, Hawaii
Boise-Nampa, Idaho
Carbondale-Marion, Illinois
Wichita, Kansas
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hammond, Louisiana
Detroit, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Fayetteville-Lumberton, North Carolina
Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Dayton-Springfield, Ohio
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Erie, Pennsylvania
State College, Pennsylvania
Charleston, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Clarksville, Tennessee
Cleveland, Tennessee
Kingsport, Tennessee; Johnson City, Tennessee; Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
Bryan-College Station, Texas
Provo-Orem, Utah
Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah
Centralia, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Charleston, West Virginia
Madison, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

[jreed2560]

Lots of college towns on that list

 

[Clintro]

OMG two more months!! whatever will we do!!!! LOL

Save your pennies!!! lol

 

[cybercruiser]

I gotta think HTC is going to announce something with exactly the same, or probably slightly better specs than Bionic, just before the Bionic is released. They about have to....

 

[mb01]

I gotta think HTC is going to announce something with exactly the same, or probably slightly better specs than Bionic, just before the Bionic is released. They about have to....

The incredible is the second and latest HTC Android released on Verizon, and that was almost a year ago. You really think they are gonna release 2 phones within 3 months on the same carrier? The only way that'll happen is if they actually get the Merge out to the public, but that isn't exactly better or even as good as the Thunderbolt, let alone the Bionic. Even if they just announce a phone around that time, by the time you get to that phones probable end-of-the-year release date, you'll get an announcement for another ridiculously groundbreaking phone, and want to wait for that. This cycle never ends.

 

[murraj2]

The incredible is the first and only HTC Android released on Verizon

Eris.

 

[BlueIce5249]

Outdated? just because of LGs talk of 3d on a phone? That doesn't make sense. First, LG is only saying they are WORKING on a 3D smartphone. Second, 3D in a glasses-free form is still garbage and will take quite a while before it is even decent (I simply care nothing for 3D anyways). Third, 3D is simply a visual effect, it will in no way improve anything on the phone besides create some sort of trendy selling point for morons. Just as well, I guarantee Verizon will not be getting the first LG 3D phone anyways, I can promise either ATT, Sprint or T-Mo will get it. The next big thing is that Nvidia is already getting started on quad-core processing for mobiles. That is gonna be out most likely a year after Bionic launches. The Thunderbolt will, however, be outdated on launch. An "upgraded" old processor and SLCD crappy resolution screen with the same old 1400 mAh battery? Come on. Some people may be fine with paying $300 every 10 months for a new phone, I prefer making my phone last a little longer.

Dude this phone is already outdated in before it comes out. When it does come out the Atrix will have been out for MONTHS with better specs. And from what we've seen from Moto in the past, if this phone drops before Christmas I'll throw a damn party. Like I said, by the time this thing comes out Dual-Core will be standard, quad-core will be around the corner if not out already, and phones will probably have been in 3D for awhile.

Nvidia is talking about Quad-Core being released in a few MONTHS!! They've been working on it for awhile bro.

 

[BlueIce5249]

Lots of college towns on that list

Probably went by population of 18-34 year olds. Can't think of any other reason Akron, Ohio would be on the list. The entire city is basically made of Goodyear employees and the University.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

And these are the ones that are due for the 1H 2011:

Fayetteville-Lumberton, North Carolina
Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina
Hilton Head, South Carolina

That's pretty much every surrounding market except for mine (Myrtle Beach, SC). lol

They might have us lumped in w/ Charleston, though. But if they mention Hilton Head (less populous, equidistant, far less more golf), I don't see why we're not considered a market.

But with this tidbit, plus this running around the rumor mill: Rumor: Verizon 4G Unlimited Data Plans to Debut at $29.99 | Android Phone Fans I may just be back on the 4G bandwagon after all.

 

[mb01]

Dude this phone is already outdated in before it comes out. When it does come out the Atrix will have been out for MONTHS with better specs. And from what we've seen from Moto in the past, if this phone drops before Christmas I'll throw a damn party. Like I said, by the time this thing comes out Dual-Core will be standard, quad-core will be around the corner if not out already, and phones will probably have been in 3D for awhile.

Nvidia is talking about Quad-Core being released in a few MONTHS!! They've been working on it for awhile bro.

Yea, and it says Worlds first dual-core for mobiles would be out Fall 2010. It is now near Spring 2011 and America is still waiting for it's first dual core phone. Hold onto that roadmap if you like, and keep waiting for your ever-out-of-reach dreamphone because I am sure phones that fly you to the moon will be out just next year as well so why buy one now? By your logic, every phone ever released is outdated before it even comes out because there is always something in the works for next year, or some other company is "months" away from better technology. With this being the case, people should save their money and never buy a phone because technology is moving too fast and won't slow down for a while. If you really want to talk about a smartphone being dead before release, head over to the Thunderbolt forums.

 

[cybercruiser]

By your logic, every phone ever released is outdated before it even comes out because there is always something in the works for next year, or some other company is "months" away from better technology. With this being the case, people should save their money and never buy a phone because technology is moving too fast and won't slow down for a while. If you really want to talk about a smartphone being dead before release, head over to the Thunderbolt forums.

Exactly....

But, I guess I look at it this way.

I bought the origional Droid the very first day it became available, and it's been good, updated to Froyo, keeping up with the times, so far....

But, we know with Honeycomb and future versions coming down the pike, we should probably have at least dual-core 1Gz(each core) or better and a front facing camera to take advantage of the future kewl stuff coming. The Bionic should set me up nicely to get new versions of Android and carry me through my next 20 months till next discounted upgrade.

By the time the Bionic is so far behind that it can't be upgraded, I should be into my next discounted Droid.

I'm just sayin....

 

[rushmore]

I think the Bionic may be an after-thought for a few reasons, in spite of a Tegra 2, which I have and appreciate in the Gtablet.

1. Best case is late April, so iPhone and Thunderbolt will be bought up in the mean-time (mainly iPhone, but a lot of Androiders will get the Thunderbolt)

2. Rooters will avoid the Bionic and most have the sense not to trust Motorola saying otherwise about the bootloader.

The QSD8255 is not an "old" chip (per say). It is 45nm (current Inc is 65nm) and has the newer 205 gpu (at least twice as fast as current gpu). The extra 256mb is also going to help.

Still, I LUV the Tegra 2 performance and battery life in the G. Bionic may be a case of patience being a good virtue for those who wait.

 

[BlueIce5249]

Yea, and it says Worlds first dual-core for mobiles would be out Fall 2010. It is now near Spring 2011 and America is still waiting for it's first dual core phone. Hold onto that roadmap if you like, and keep waiting for your ever-out-of-reach dreamphone because I am sure phones that fly you to the moon will be out just next year as well so why buy one now? By your logic, every phone ever released is outdated before it even comes out because there is always something in the works for next year, or some other company is "months" away from better technology. With this being the case, people should save their money and never buy a phone because technology is moving too fast and won't slow down for a while. If you really want to talk about a smartphone being dead before release, head over to the Thunderbolt forums.

Every phone is not outdated when it's released. But let's be honest here. When the Bionic is released, MAYBE by the holiday season. It's going to be an average phone AT BEST. The ONLY thing the Bionic has going for it is the dual-core. Which I think everyone should come to expect in every phone released here out. I honestly don't understand why the Thunderbolt doesn't have it. But besides the dual-core what does it have? 512RAM? 4G? The display is slightly better, but honestly most people dim their screens 99% of the time to save battery life so the display doesn't even matter. Let's face facts here...the Droid Bionic is basically a 4G Droid X with a dual-core processor. And it's not coming out until late this year.

And we already know quad-core technology exists for small hand-held devices. It's not a matter of the technology existing, it's a matter of when the phone companies will put it into production. The new PSP will have a quad-core processor and will be released around the holiday season. While that won't be a mobile phone, the point is similar technology exists.

The main problem is Motorola and HTC haven't had anybody to push them along, no competition. Who have they had? Samsung? LG? At best their smartphones are mediocre. What I'm hoping is that LG will release a 3D phone this year and force Motorola and HTC to step up their game and stop putting out basically similar phones with slightly better specs. We know the technology exists, they just need to start using it.

And why slam the 3D phones? They might be pretty damn cool. The rooted community and technology effecianados may look down on them, for good reason...it's really just a gimmick. But what most people here forget about is that 99% of the people buying phones just hear "3D phone". At the very least, it's worth a consideration.

Personally, I can't use 3D. I have 20/10 vision in one eye and 20/12 in the other. What that means is 3D for me just means nausea and migranes.

 

[SirKronan]

Every phone is not outdated when it's released. But let's be honest here. When the Bionic is released, MAYBE by the holiday season. It's going to be an average phone AT BEST. The ONLY thing the Bionic has going for it is the dual-core. Which I think everyone should come to expect in every phone released here out. I honestly don't understand why the Thunderbolt doesn't have it. But besides the dual-core what does it have? 512RAM? 4G? The display is slightly better, but honestly most people dim their screens 99% of the time to save battery life so the display doesn't even matter. Let's face facts here...the Droid Bionic is basically a 4G Droid X with a dual-core processor. And it's not coming out until late this year.

And we already know quad-core technology exists for small hand-held devices. It's not a matter of the technology existing, it's a matter of when the phone companies will put it into production. The new PSP will have a quad-core processor and will be released around the holiday season. While that won't be a mobile phone, the point is similar technology exists.

The main problem is Motorola and HTC haven't had anybody to push them along, no competition. Who have they had? Samsung? LG? At best their smartphones are mediocre. What I'm hoping is that LG will release a 3D phone this year and force Motorola and HTC to step up their game and stop putting out basically similar phones with slightly better specs. We know the technology exists, they just need to start using it.

And why slam the 3D phones? They might be pretty damn cool. The rooted community and technology effecianados may look down on them, for good reason...it's really just a gimmick. But what most people here forget about is that 99% of the people buying phones just hear "3D phone". At the very least, it's worth a consideration.

Personally, I can't use 3D. I have 20/10 vision in one eye and 20/12 in the other. What that means is 3D for me just means nausea and migranes.

I tend to agree with you, at least about your views of the Bionic and the Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt is a big disappointment. It's a little bit of an upgrade from the EVO, but not much, and they took out the flipping video output!! I would overlook the lack of dual core and the lack of SuperAMOLED and seriously make the Thunderbolt a contender for my next phone ... if it had video out.

I have a line eligible for an upgrade. I've really missed not having any video out on my Fascinate. I really would use that. I could get the brand new iPhone 4 on VZ when it comes out for FREE. I have a special deal with them just for the iPhone. Don't ask ...

I could also get another Fascinate for $48 at Walmart, according to the latest circular. Or I could wait a bit and get the Thunderbolt. I was really hoping the Bionic would be out sooner, and I was also hoping for the extra memory and dock capability. It's still the best contender out of all those phones and the only truly massive upgrade from my current Samsung Fascinate - QHD FTW!!! But it's going to come out WAY after it's sister, the Atrix, and with LESS! And also, it's going to be a 4.3" instead of a 4", so it will lose a bit of the sharpness. I can live with that. It has full HDMI out and a dual core tegra, and a MONSTER battery, and of course having motorola's exceptional microphones and antennas won't hurt...

But that's a long wait. If I wait for the Bionic, my wife will be stuck with the Eris for a while. If I get the TB, no video out. Honestly, I wouldn't get the TB for the likely $150-250 it will release with for a price. The iPhone 4 for free or the Fascinate for $50 is a better buy in my opinion ...

The good ol' VZ makes me sad sometimes, and I really think the Bionic delay is at least partially because of the iPhone. Verizon is giving the iPhone a wide berth. The iPhone also has video out, which the Thunderbolt does not.

I just think it's STUPID STUPID STUPID to release such a powerhouse phone without an HD video out of some kind. STUPID. I know they're pushing all this wireless crap, but I know gobs and gobs of people that know how to use HDMI, and have TV's with plenty of ports on the back for that. It's easy. It's cheap. It works. Most people know how to use it. HDLNA, Allshare, etc. are not nearly so universally owned, nor understood by the masses.

It's a shame.

 

[mb01]

Every phone is not outdated when it's released. But let's be honest here. When the Bionic is released, MAYBE by the holiday season. It's going to be an average phone AT BEST. The ONLY thing the Bionic has going for it is the dual-core. Which I think everyone should come to expect in every phone released here out. I honestly don't understand why the Thunderbolt doesn't have it. But besides the dual-core what does it have? 512RAM? 4G? The display is slightly better, but honestly most people dim their screens 99% of the time to save battery life so the display doesn't even matter. Let's face facts here...the Droid Bionic is basically a 4G Droid X with a dual-core processor. And it's not coming out until late this year.

And we already know quad-core technology exists for small hand-held devices. It's not a matter of the technology existing, it's a matter of when the phone companies will put it into production. The new PSP will have a quad-core processor and will be released around the holiday season. While that won't be a mobile phone, the point is similar technology exists.

The main problem is Motorola and HTC haven't had anybody to push them along, no competition. Who have they had? Samsung? LG? At best their smartphones are mediocre. What I'm hoping is that LG will release a 3D phone this year and force Motorola and HTC to step up their game and stop putting out basically similar phones with slightly better specs. We know the technology exists, they just need to start using it.

And why slam the 3D phones? They might be pretty damn cool. The rooted community and technology effecianados may look down on them, for good reason...it's really just a gimmick. But what most people here forget about is that 99% of the people buying phones just hear "3D phone". At the very least, it's worth a consideration.

Personally, I can't use 3D. I have 20/10 vision in one eye and 20/12 in the other. What that means is 3D for me just means nausea and migranes.

You consider Q2 to be late in the year? I'm curious as to what happened to the other 6 months...and on that note, NOBODY EVEN KNOWS WHEN ITS GETTING RELEASED ANYWAYS SO ITS PURELY SPECULATION. Even if it comes out in June, that is barely 2 months behind the original slated date. The first dual core phone isn't even gonna be out til March, and youre already shouting the apocalypse of dual cores because quad core processors will MAYBE be in other technology by the end of the year? I dont even think you have any idea what youre talking about anymore. Youre relying on a 100% inaccurate roadmap "from Nvidia" and a possible holiday release of the PSP. Come on man, seriously. And the Bionic being a Droid X? It's starting to sound like you just hate smartphones completely as they are and have no need to be even posting around here. Kinda sounds like....you need an iPhone. If a 4.3" display that rivals the "Retina Display" and is actually visible in the sun with a higher resolution, a dual core processor on a SMARTPHONE, HDMI out, DDR2 RAM instead of the crappy SDRAM, and all the other bells and whistles is not impressive to you, then it sounds like you need to go kick rocks and wait for your dream phone that will, as I said before, never come because something will always be out "by the end of the year", which actually wont be anyways so youre just running in circles for nothing. 3D is just a garbage, gimmick fad that is used to sell products to morons. it has no bearing on the advancement of mobile products.

BTW, even if there were to be a quad core smartphone out by the end of the year, I can promise you Verizon would not get it, and wouldnt have one until months later anyways. Just as well, I am sure a hexcore processor is being planned out right now as well, probably being talked about, which means quad-cores are already dead as well. You're fighting an ever-losing battle dude. Go take a break and vent your frustration of the advancement of technology (which has been moving so quickly in the last decade anyways, don't know where you've been) somewhere else.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

It seems that a lot of the users on this particular forum don't seem to favor the Bionic, yet they sure are keeping close tabs. Just an observation.

I don't think there's any question that when the Bionic drops, it's going to be the best phone available on the best network. I'm not going to keep holding my breath on the next best device to come out when every piece of technology only gets a few months to shine. Unless there's a clear better choice that I KNOW will be out within a month or so of the Bionic, I'm going to have to get it. And I'm only going to do a 1 year contract, so I can play this game again next year.

 

[mb01]

It seems that a lot of the users on this particular forum don't seem to favor the Bionic, yet they sure are keeping close tabs. Just an observation.

I don't think there's any question that when the Bionic drops, it's going to be the best phone available on the best network. I'm not going to keep holding my breath on the next best device to come out when every piece of technology only gets a few months to shine. Unless there's a clear better choice that I KNOW will be out within a month or so of the Bionic, I'm going to have to get it. And I'm only going to do a 1 year contract, so I can play this game again next year.

The only thing I need to be sure of, which will have to be found out on release date, is the state of the bootloader and how the phone performs after mass production (bugs, flaws, etc.).

 

[YankeeDudeL]

The only thing I need to be sure of, which will have to be found out on release date, is the state of the bootloader and how the phone performs after mass production (bugs, flaws, etc.).

I'll let ya know.

 

[SirKronan]

It seems that a lot of the users on this particular forum don't seem to favor the Bionic, yet they sure are keeping close tabs. Just an observation.

I don't think there's any question that when the Bionic drops, it's going to be the best phone available on the best network. I'm not going to keep holding my breath on the next best device to come out when every piece of technology only gets a few months to shine. Unless there's a clear better choice that I KNOW will be out within a month or so of the Bionic, I'm going to have to get it. And I'm only going to do a 1 year contract, so I can play this game again next year.

Yes, it will be the best phone on the best network, with a beefy processor, sharp QHD screen, and HDMI out, also possessing a monster battery. However, it will be lacking some key features that really really REALLY make the Atrix an impressive device.

I'm sorry, but the dual core part of it is actually functionally less important features that the Atrix will have. Does android 2.2 or 2.3 really need a dual core processor on mere phone screen with phone apps? Maybe someday when the software catches up with the hardware, but now? Look at the preliminary performance of the single core thunderbolt. Look at how well the Galaxy S phones run (again, with properly funcitoning software, sadly...) with a single core hummingbird and the power GPU.

SLCD's advantage over SuperAMOLED screens is the sharpness and readability of text. The 4" QHD screen of the Atrix will be sharp as a razor. You actually lose some of that by bumping it up to 4.3", as well as adding some bulk. Compare the dimensions of the two devices. The Atrix is already a reasonably bulky phone, in part because of that gigantic battery. The Bionic will not likely be considered a slim, easily pocketable phone.

The Bionic is also lacking both docking options, AND the very advantageous fingerpring unlock feature. I wish all smartphones had security like this, instead of cumbersome codes to enter, or too easily seen from afar slide patterns.

Again, 512MB RAM is plenty for what the Bionic will have to do, since it's not going to dually function as a webtop, where the 1GB would come in handy.

Not to mention it's coming out much later than the Atrix, for whatever reason. All of these things will combine to make the Bionic more disapointing for many than it could've been. Not to mention, if pricing rumors hold true, the Bionic will possibly have a more expensive launch price, too.

It will still be a contender for my next major upgrade, but I was hoping the Thunderbolt would have video out. I am now leaning to the iPhone 4 on VZ simply because I have a way to snag one for free when they come out. AND the fixed the antenna problems. I already have experience jail-breaking thanks to owning an iPod touch, and the iPhone 4 has video out options.

I really wish I had a better alternative that was Android ...

I'll let ya know.

I will anxiously await your evaluation.

 

[murraj2]

Motorola Droid Bionic in FCC? -- Engadget

Bionic hitting the FCC? Maybe this phone is closer than we think.

 

[YankeeDudeL]

I pretty much agree with the above statement. I'm not excited about 4.3" screens at all. 4" would satisfy me quite contently. I've stated elsewhere that when I first got my Droid that it was almost too big. 3.7" was about the biggest out there (except the HTC HD2). I've warmed up to it, but the pocketability is def an issue. For the times when I use a leather case, the Droid was almost too big and I kinda feel like a jackass. 4.3"? Wow, I used to make fun of guys like me. lol

I disagree slightly about dual core, though. I haven't seen the video of the Thunderbolt yet (if anyone has a link, that'd be awesome), but I've OCed my Droid as high as 1.2GHz in the past and I also have two DIncs on my plan (one of which is rooted), and each of these has experienced hiccups. The RAM is the obvious culprit in the Droid, but the DIncs get them as well. I'm not that techy a guy, but the dual core has gotta help. And while I'd love 1GHz on the Bionic (it's obviously possible, why the hell not?), it's the RAM that I'm thinking is probably excessive. But, again, I'm not that techy.

Bottom line for me is that I'm ready for a new phone (took a while, I'm a day 1 Droid owner). It doesn't look like there's going to be a better choice on Verizon anytime till the holidays, so I might as well go for this. And the iPhone really isn't a choice for me. For one, I'm not buying all the same apps over again that will just transfer to a new Android phone. Secondly, I'll take a locked bootloader over a locked down service any day, and lastly, the majority of people who own iPhones should be castrated as to not water-down the gene pool any further.