Fascinate vs Droid X

[TheXFactor]

That's why I say X > fAcSiNaTe. LOL

 

[saps]

It is unfortunate that some view the choice between DX and SF as a lesser of two evils compromise. The pros of each device are so numerous but I suppose one way to approach the decision is to decide based on the cons list as well

 

[SirKronan]

Bah. They're both amazing. Having used both for a week each, including some intensive side by side comparison time, I can say I liked both phones a lot, and would "suffer" with either quite happily. I have a hard time calling one "better" than the other. I would say one is better than the other at some things, therefore different feels more appropriate. I think each device has a different target demographic. If you're one particular side of it, the phone that best corresponds to that side is going to be "better" for you.

 

[saps]

Bah. They're both amazing. Having used both for a week each, including some intensive side by side comparison time, I can say I liked both phones a lot, and would "suffer" with either quite happily. I have a hard time calling one "better" than the other. I would say one is better than the other at some things, therefore different feels more appropriate. I think each device has a different target demographic. If you're one particular side of it, the phone that best corresponds to that side is going to be "better" for you.

Well worded and good perspective.

 

[SteveC]

Bah. They're both amazing. Having used both for a week each, including some intensive side by side comparison time, I can say I liked both phones a lot, and would "suffer" with either quite happily. I have a hard time calling one "better" than the other. I would say one is better than the other at some things, therefore different feels more appropriate. I think each device has a different target demographic. If you're one particular side of it, the phone that best corresponds to that side is going to be "better" for you.

That was pretty much the point I was trying to make. Everybody is indeed different and the fact that the Droid X appears to have better reception and a stronger GPS fits what I need better than the Fascinate. Any electronic device is never perfect for but few people.

The lesser of evils I suppose is apt enough, even though both phones are really nice. Just how hard is it to actually put good reception in a phone to begin with or why does Bing need to be a forced default? Does Bing work? Sure it does. What ever happened to options? That's why I went to android in the first place. It pretty well sucks to see carriers water down android with force fed bloat. It really stinks to see Google let them get away with it.

 

[SirKronan]

Just how hard is it to actually put good reception in a phone to begin with or why does Bing need to be a forced default? Does Bing work? Sure it does. What ever happened to options? That's why I went to android in the first place. It pretty well sucks to see carriers water down android with force fed bloat. It really stinks to see Google let them get away with it.

While not on the level of the Droid X, I think reception on the Fascinate is at least normal, if not slightly better. But other than that, I couldn't agree more with your post. Really disappointing to see devices who's main selling point is "everything iDon't, Droid does" put lockouts or limitations on devices, such as locked bootloaders (Droid X), locks against side-loading (Captivate), or locks against using Google's Search/Nav in their own GOOGLE device (Fascinate).

It's just more "iDon't" ... iDon't do Google search. iDon't allow side-loading apps. iDon't allow custom ROMs.

What the CRAP!??!?!

 

[cdmoore74]

Interesting question. For me I'm getting the droid x and my wife is getting the fascinate. I think it's a win win combo plus no rebates (had to call in) for the buy one get one free deal. My only disappointment with the x is the encrypted boot loader; looks like the sf is easier to hack. The slow gps lock on the fascinate is a turn off but the wife is stubborn to use the gps anyway. For me I rely on google maps and quick gps locks. With all the negative publicity over the google search drama I initially thought google maps could not be loaded. But with a little bit of elbow grease the fascinate can get to the same level. For me the only thing missing is the hdmi out on the fascinate. There is a hack for the X to output all content and when netflix releases a proper streaming app I will be in heaven.
And why is it that phone/pda manufactures stopped putting IR receivers in their devices? Would love to control all IR devices from my phone with a IR learning app. That and gmote would be awesome.

 

[jroc]

^I have the X....and I am crazy jealous of the TV Out on the Samsung phones..lol

Dont get caught up in HDMI vs. TV Out. The TV Out is wide open on the Samsung phones...its crippled bad on the X.

If it wasnt for a great dev making a great app for the X's HDMI....I wouldnt even bother using the HDMI Out.

 

[SirKronan]

^I have the X....and I am crazy jealous of the TV Out on the Samsung phones..lol

Dont get caught up in HDMI vs. TV Out. The TV Out is wide open on the Samsung phones...its crippled bad on the X.

If it wasnt for a great dev making a great app for the X's HDMI....I wouldnt even bother using the HDMI Out.

Well, I haven't figured out how to turn it on for the fascinate yet.

 

[jroc]

Its TV Out thru the 3.5 mm jack. I dont know if the other Outs do it. Unless the Fascinate is the only Galaxy S phone that cant do it....that would be wild.....lol

 

[xliderider]

Interesting question. For me I'm getting the droid x and my wife is getting the fascinate. I think it's a win win combo plus no rebates (had to call in) for the buy one get one free deal. My only disappointment with the x is the encrypted boot loader; looks like the sf is easier to hack. The slow gps lock on the fascinate is a turn off but the wife is stubborn to use the gps anyway.

I will be using the X as well, and my wife loves her Fascinate.

I wanted the better reception and less problematic GPS on the X, and there was no way my wife would want the larger form factor of the X.

I will be able to play with her Fascinate because I do all the setup and configuration on her devices.

 

[saps]

I will be using the X as well, and my wife loves her Fascinate.

I wanted the better reception and less problematic GPS on the X, and there was no way my wife would want the larger form factor of the X.

I will be able to play with her Fascinate because I do all the setup and configuration on her devices.

Then you guys got the best of both worlds

 

[SirKronan]

Its TV Out thru the 3.5 mm jack. I dont know if the other Outs do it. Unless the Fascinate is the only Galaxy S phone that cant do it....that would be wild.....lol

I think they're all supposed to get it supposedly with 2.2 ... I don't remember where I read that. I sure hope Verizon didn't take that ability away from the Fascinate. That would really make me angry.

 

[Araliss]

I was wavering just a tiny
But....the kicker? I could NOT leave the screen on my Fascinate. OMG, it is so much clearer and brighter. The screen on the X seemed almost smoky to me?

That screen alone is what made me try out the Vibrant, The Epic and finally end up with the Fascinate. I just couldn't give up the screen and Verizon had the best signal all over town. The Epic was my first choice, I was really loving that keyboard and not having my screen blocked in landscape.

After using this screen, I don't see how I'll be able to ever use anything with less screen quality now.

Text is actually clearer on the Droid X, and clearer even on older phones like the Eris.

That wasn't my experience at all. I tested the Droid X and the Vibrant side by side for about a week. I have terrible eyesight so I'm coming at it at a different perspective. The Fascinate was much sharper and easier to read my kindle app. I actually found the stark white background on the X to be harsh on my eyes. Aside from the beautiful screen, my ability to read text is what pushed me to get the Fascinate. I was coming from a iPhone 3g that I could read text on 2 years ago that I can't read it on there now. So bad bad eyesight for me. I thought bigger screen would mean easier to see/read text but that turned out not to be true for me.

 

[SirKronan]

That screen alone is what made me try out the Vibrant, The Epic and finally end up with the Fascinate. I just couldn't give up the screen and Verizon had the best signal all over town. The Epic was my first choice, I was really loving that keyboard and not having my screen blocked in landscape.

After using this screen, I don't see how I'll be able to ever use anything with less screen quality now.


That wasn't my experience at all. I tested the Droid X and the Vibrant side by side for about a week. I have terrible eyesight so I'm coming at it at a different perspective. The Fascinate was much sharper and easier to read my kindle app. I actually found the stark white background on the X to be harsh on my eyes. Aside from the beautiful screen, my ability to read text is what pushed me to get the Fascinate. I was coming from a iPhone 3g that I could read text on 2 years ago that I can't read it on there now. So bad bad eyesight for me. I thought bigger screen would mean easier to see/read text but that turned out not to be true for me.

The bad eyesight might mean that for you brighter is simply better, but there are certainly actual physical differences in the technology which make text crisper and sharper on phones like the Droid X vs. the Fascinate. It's because of the TFT LCD vs. SuperAMOLED. Now maybe for you, you just need the best contrast possible. If that's the case, then SuperAMOLED is for you. I need that contrast so I can use it in bright sunlight. But I compared both phones side by side in extensive reading, and while the Fascinate is brighter and more contrasty, the less-sharp text actually bothered me when I was at first accustomed to reading on the Droid X.

Honestly though, any 4" screen with 800 lines of resolution is still going to be sharp enough. Once I got used to it, it didn't bother me one bit. Like I've said before, the human mind can really learn to get used to things. Pretty soon you don't see the patterns in the screen anymore (I have really good eyesight ...) and your body learns to just see the words instead.

 

[hagar852]

Here are my main thoughts on the two, after using and comparing them side by side:

Fascinate

Pros:
1. Brighter/"contrastier" screen, easier to see in sunlight than DX
2. Faster GPU. I tested this on a 3D game. The Droid X did well. The Fascinate did exceptionally well - noticeably smoother.
3. More ergonomic, sleeker design - For my hands and phone habits, the button placement and shape of the phone HANDS DOWN beat the pants of the DX. No odd hump to get used to, no stiff buttons to push (although some prefer physical buttons, I use my phone at night, and the DX buttons are borderline loud enough to wake my wife from slumber!) The volume buttons still work when you're on a call.
4. More video codec/container support
5. Because the Galaxy S is on multiple carriers, and the models are all similar, I believe we will see a greater variety of custom and stable roms as time goes on, versus the fairly well locked up DX. They are cracking the DX, but it's only on one character, and it's a little tougher of a nut to crack.

Cons:
1. 2GB of memory vs 8GB
2. Bing
3. Mic quality - call quality is fine, but on the Droid X it's extraordinary
4. Reception - the reception is also fine, but the DX is still a little better
5. Glossy black back - minor gripe, just a fingerprint magnet

Droid X

Pros:
1. 3 noise cancelling microphones
2. One of the best Android phones for battery life
3. Out of this world reception. In my basement, for example, the Eris got 1-2 bars. The DX gets 3-4.
4. 8GB memory - this is handy especially for root users with Root Explorer that want to store more stuff on their phone for quicker access, and permanence if they frequently change SD cards or share them with other devices
5. Slightly larger screen - this is a benefit for e-readers and web browsers. You have an extra 54 pixels to read!
6. Notification light - know when you've missed messages/calls, or received emails
7. HDMI out - mostly (works more completely with a $2 app)

Cons:
1. Not a handy power button, and more difficult to use one handed than the Fascinate - the difference, at least in my usage, was HUGE here. In my hand, the Fascinate just felt right. Things were where they automatically and ergonomically made sense. The Droid X is noticeably more difficult to hold and operate one-handed than the Fascinate.
2. Design - even though I'm typically not a big fan of shiny, glossy black plastic things, the Fascinate is sleeker, and more attractively designed and pleasing to look at than the DX. The DX is impressive and imposing, but not as impressive and polished looking as the Fascinate. I originally feared it would look and feel cheap based on the pictures I'd seen of it pre-release. Look at it and hold it in person. Even though it's lighter, it doesn't feel cheap or plasticky at all.
3. Screen - even though the screen is bigger, it's not brighter and it's not darker. Although side by side it actually doesn't look as bad against the Fascinate as I thought it was going to. The DX is still one of the best looking TFT-LCD phones to date. Motorola really pulled all the punches on that thing, and that's why it's STILL on a short waiting list to order one.

I may add/subtract from this list as I play with the Fascinate more tomorrow, but so far, I'm leaning in preference to the sleeker, brighter screened device. It is easier to see in sunlight, and the GPU is quite faster. And playing all those different media formats, such as MKV, right off your card natively, is pretty dang cool.

Hopefully that helps quickly sum up a comparison so you can relate it to your wants/needs.

After seeing and playing with both phones myself I have found what you said also.

I think both phones are great, just a matter of what you want in function with your phone to compare one to the other.

 

[Araliss]

Now maybe for you, you just need the best contrast possible. If that's the case, then SuperAMOLED is for you.

I hadn't thought about that. You could be right. Two years ago I wasn't in biofocals, so I can't read small text usually without glasses. Now I also own a Kindle (The original) And the new Kindle 3. The Kindle 3 has such good contrast, really dark, crisp text that I can read the font several sizes smaller without glasses then I could on my original Kindle.

It is interesting though how your eyes see the Droid X text as being better and mine sees the Fascinate is better. So for those wondering, if you wear biofocals, get the Fascinate, if you have awesome vision get the X.

In all seriousness, you can't go wrong really with either phone.

 

[saps]

I have 20/10 vision and I went with the Fascinate. The decision includes a bit more than merely the screen; although that certainly is a component

 

[SirKronan]

I have 20/10 vision and I went with the Fascinate. The decision includes a bit more than merely the screen; although that certainly is a component

Mine is really good, too. Slightly better than 20/15. That said, once you get used to the different pixel pattern on the Fascinate (and some seem to already be immediately used to it!) you don't see the pixels or the pattern anymore, you just see the text. After some time, as in a day or two, it becomes a complete non-issue. I am loving the crap out of the Fascinate now.

NoLED, on the other hand ... I don't like it at all. It just seems glitchy, and it seems to drag performance just a bit. Now when I drag the puzzle piece for a new text message, it's a several-second delay to get to the new message. Before, it was instantaneous. This delay appeared immediately after installing NoLED, which was a big pain in the asterisk to get working at all anyways. I think NoLED is about to go bye bye. I'll just live with checking my screen.

 

[saps]

Yeah I never made the move to NoLED. Using Handcent messages just pop up and wake the device from sleep. I get so many texts even if I miss something I rarely miss two in a a row. Besides if anything is urgent they will re message or call

 

[XsabaX]

What made you guys get the Fascinate over the X.. I love my fascinate but for some reason I think I'm missing out on something from the X and am almost tempted to exchange.. Can someone please convince me I have the better phone lol

 

[Gevis]

They both have pros...the X doesn't really have anything the fascinate doesn't except more fans. And LED notifications. I got the fascinate simply because the x wasn't in stock when I went in. I'm happy with the phone and don't see any reason to switch.

 

[XsabaX]

I came to the fascinate from an Eris. I was rooted and overclocked. I loved it, I read that the X is not nearly as customizable as the fascinate because of the bootloader or something. Is this true?

 

[Kierik]

I didn't like the physical button, screen, and shape of the X. I played with a EVO for a few days and found that the screen was nice for browsing but it was too large and i kept hitting icons on the edges of the screen while holding. With the fascinate i do not have this problem as i can more comfortably hold the phone with one hand.

Plus my fascinate fits in my Nexus one pouch (a very important feature).

 

[Boxytheboxed]

I went from the fascinate to the X and am much happier. To be fair I think my SF was a lemon, it overheated, and was super laggy. As long as your phone is functioning normally, and not lagging you (probably) should stay with it. The screen honestly is nicer, and it has a lot better form factor, Although the battery life is a lot worse, and the keyboard on the X is way better (but maybe thats just because I have now adjusted to the software keybroard)

a lot of my pro's for the x were just based on my phones. The improved call quality might not be a big difference to you b/c you're fine with how your fascinate is now. If you really love your phone, I promise, there is no compelling reason to switch