I had many androids(droid,x,fascinate, droid2 and iPhone 4) I liked android but te fragmentation annoyed the hell out of me because it always depended on carrier if and when you get an update where as with iPhone as soon as it's out everyone can download it. I love the smoothness of the iPhone 4 and the screen seems larger than that on my Inc and og droid which had bigger screens. You also have to take into account the thunderbolt will be the first lte phone so could and most likely will have issues with the network(hence the long delays) I would say if you can wait then wait atleast until some people have hands on time and then go play with both and see which you like better
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iPHONE 4 TEMPTATION... TALK ME DOWN!!!
- Thread starter shocka
- Start date
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- Tags
- htc thunderbolt
Left Coast DJ
Android Enthusiast
I went out and bought my wife a Verizon iPhone 4 this afternoon. This is my first iPhone experience - my previous smart phones were a Blackberry 8900 and my current Palm Pre Plus. I got the iPhone because she doesn't care about tech stuff and wants something simple to operate. Here are my thoughts on it after about 5 hours of playing with it:
PROS:
- AMAZING build quality
- Stunning screen quality and resolution
- Absolutely ZERO Verizon bloatware
- Very, very, very easy to learn and operate
- Scrolling and animations/wipes are smoothe like buttah
- Video Skype and NetFlix are extremely fast and responsive
CONS:
- Has to be tethered to iTunes (and I dislike bloated iTunes trying to take over my computer)
Most of the data services I used on the iPhone (Skype, Netflix, Facebook, etc.) ran on my home WiFi. So I don't really know how 3G will perform. But I can't really can't hate on the iPhone. It really is a good system. I'm going to play with the Thunderbolt to see if I like it or not before deciding on it, Atrix, or maybe even the old school iPhone.
PROS:
- AMAZING build quality
- Stunning screen quality and resolution
- Absolutely ZERO Verizon bloatware
- Very, very, very easy to learn and operate
- Scrolling and animations/wipes are smoothe like buttah
- Video Skype and NetFlix are extremely fast and responsive
CONS:
- Has to be tethered to iTunes (and I dislike bloated iTunes trying to take over my computer)
Most of the data services I used on the iPhone (Skype, Netflix, Facebook, etc.) ran on my home WiFi. So I don't really know how 3G will perform. But I can't really can't hate on the iPhone. It really is a good system. I'm going to play with the Thunderbolt to see if I like it or not before deciding on it, Atrix, or maybe even the old school iPhone.
A couple of things.
First Eleer, if you are either on an individual line or are the primary line of a family share plan, you can still do an annual upgrade. Any existing customers can still use either their NE2 or annual upgrade one more time. After you use it it's gone.
As far as Netflix, there's no reason why it couldn't be available on the Tbolt. It doesn't matter if they already shipped. It's an app, it's software not hardware. Just because it doesn't ship with it onboard, there's no reason it won't be available in an OTA update or be available for download from the market when it's released. Now something like NFC is not possible for the Tbolt as that requires hardware to make it happen (unless they do like what they are doing with the i*hone and have a case with the NFC hardware that plugs into the micro usb port). I wouldn't be too worried about it.
First Eleer, if you are either on an individual line or are the primary line of a family share plan, you can still do an annual upgrade. Any existing customers can still use either their NE2 or annual upgrade one more time. After you use it it's gone.
As far as Netflix, there's no reason why it couldn't be available on the Tbolt. It doesn't matter if they already shipped. It's an app, it's software not hardware. Just because it doesn't ship with it onboard, there's no reason it won't be available in an OTA update or be available for download from the market when it's released. Now something like NFC is not possible for the Tbolt as that requires hardware to make it happen (unless they do like what they are doing with the i*hone and have a case with the NFC hardware that plugs into the micro usb port). I wouldn't be too worried about it.
stew560
Member
Actually, it is Hardware. Netflix is requiring the CPU to have DRM-specific operations. Now what everyone is saying is that since the LG Revolution has the same nextgen Snapdragon chip as the Thunderbolt, it shouldnt be a problem... But that remains to be seen...
rushmore
Extreme Android User
I luv my iPod 4, but would not consider an iPhone. Too many sweet things with my Incredible that can not be done as easy or at all with iPhone (Jailbreaking is ongoing and problematic with iPhone):
1. Data storage device
2. Drag and drop from any computer- without iTunes
3. Download files from the web and run them
4. Flash
5. Tethering via wifi- without extra fees
6. Amazing game emulators
rushmore
Extreme Android User
Good point about the DRM, since that is the key for Netflix apps working or not on chipsets- regardless of how new or powerful they may be.
I wonder if the TB's Snapdragon version and the Tegra 2 have the required hardware instructions?
lamoglinsgal
Android Expert
My personal biggest irritations with the iPhone is the proprietary software, little to no customization, no removable battery (WTF is that?), and no swappable memory. All of those things are deal-breakers for me. It's like a control thing or something....
i think i am back in the thunderbolt camp. played with an iphone and the inspire 4g side by side today. i think the inspire is close enough to the thunderbolt in terms of form factor and screen to make a decent first impression of what the 'bolt will be like. and while the iphone was solid and smooth with a beautiful screen, i was REALLY impressed with the inspire 4g. the size was great, the heft was as well, construction was solid and the screen and interface were beautiful and silky smooth. very very impressive stuff.
lamoglinsgal
Android Expert
i have to say, at this point its not the waiting that is most frustrating, but the potential for thunderbolt to be de-contented with an inflated price. if the 'bolt ends up being over $250 (already too high if you ask me) and skype and 4g aren't hammered out i think i'm going to go for the i-phone. at least live with one for a few weeks and see how it suits me. i just hate the idea of paying a premium for a phone that you know is being released with issues baked into it. maybe it'll all turn out to be hearsay. but i need a phone sooner, not later. hoping for some kind of info from verizon in the next week or so so i can either decide to wait or take the i-phone plunge. blerg.
lamoglinsgal
Android Expert
Shocka, I definitely see where you're coming from. The price is kind of sticker shocking me now as well. At $250 I thought it was bad, but I kept telling myself "It's $50 more than 'normal.'" I'm also selling my INC, so it'd be like $50-ish out of pocket for me. And coming with a 32gb out of the box, I was willing to accept that. But $300, that's a whole 'nother ballgame. I'd think they'd have better sales and better competition to the iPhone if they stuck in the $200-$250 range.
The longer I have to wait, the longer I have to think about it. My INC is a great device. I wish it was bigger, I wish it had a FF camera, but it doesn't, and it's still great. But at the same time, I also have to consider that the value of my INC is going to continue to drop. It irks me enough as is that the X is selling for about $100 more.
Plus, if I do decide to hold off and wait a few months, I may as well wait a few after that and use my last NE2. That way I could lock into a one-year instead of two. Ah, decisions, decisions.
The longer I have to wait, the longer I have to think about it. My INC is a great device. I wish it was bigger, I wish it had a FF camera, but it doesn't, and it's still great. But at the same time, I also have to consider that the value of my INC is going to continue to drop. It irks me enough as is that the X is selling for about $100 more.
Plus, if I do decide to hold off and wait a few months, I may as well wait a few after that and use my last NE2. That way I could lock into a one-year instead of two. Ah, decisions, decisions.
milan03
Android Enthusiast
Put it this way. iPhone 4 is 7 months old device, with 3G. It's a phenomenally smooth GUI, crisp screen like no other on the market, it has more pixels in its 3.5" frame than any 4.3" screen on the market. The ecosystem is HUGE with over 300,000 quality apps.
If you want to customize it, you can jailbreak the device, it's easy and perfectly legal.
On the other hand, TB's hardware is a newer technology, but at the same time it's not light years away. It's still a single core cpu with solid graphics and about 50% more RAM which should make a BIG difference.
But it does have 4G LTE which is by far the fastest network in the U.S. and that alone is enough for me to go for it. For me the difference between 2mbps and 20mbps alone is something worth the investment, and I strongly recommend Thunderbolt to ya.
If you want to customize it, you can jailbreak the device, it's easy and perfectly legal.
On the other hand, TB's hardware is a newer technology, but at the same time it's not light years away. It's still a single core cpu with solid graphics and about 50% more RAM which should make a BIG difference.
But it does have 4G LTE which is by far the fastest network in the U.S. and that alone is enough for me to go for it. For me the difference between 2mbps and 20mbps alone is something worth the investment, and I strongly recommend Thunderbolt to ya.
As far as Netflix for Android goes, someone mention PlayOn and the only drawback (besides the yearly fee) is that it has to be on the same network as the computer running the Playon client. This is only true for the initial setup so the pairing can occur. Once paired and you have the proper ports forwarded on your router, Playon does work on 3G away from home. I did it last night and it works great. You do need a decent 4+ bars of service to avoid buffering though.
One thing I haven't tried is if the Playon works with the HDMI out. To be able to bring my phone with me and hook it up to a hotel's HDMI TV, would be awesome. Doubt it would work though. Besides that, I would rarely watch TV on a 4.3 screen unless I was super bored somewhere.
One thing I haven't tried is if the Playon works with the HDMI out. To be able to bring my phone with me and hook it up to a hotel's HDMI TV, would be awesome. Doubt it would work though. Besides that, I would rarely watch TV on a 4.3 screen unless I was super bored somewhere.
all of the replies are much appreciated. especially when they stray away from the typical "i-phone is the devil" kneejerk responses one can get.
a few factors for me in particular. i am not yet in a 4g area. definitely not coming here til the end of the year at the earliest. along those lines, i live in the mountains of NC where i almost NEVER get more than 2 or 3 bars of coverage which makes me worry about playon on my phone. on the flip side, i know that LTE has much better building penetration and that is a major issue in my home right now with 3g.
i dunno... i would love the larger screen and the 4g. but i have a hard time seeing this phone as deserving a 100 dollar premium over an i-phone. i hope verizon makes this a non-issue when the price is officially released. and maybe wirefly can sweeten the pot even further.
a few factors for me in particular. i am not yet in a 4g area. definitely not coming here til the end of the year at the earliest. along those lines, i live in the mountains of NC where i almost NEVER get more than 2 or 3 bars of coverage which makes me worry about playon on my phone. on the flip side, i know that LTE has much better building penetration and that is a major issue in my home right now with 3g.
i dunno... i would love the larger screen and the 4g. but i have a hard time seeing this phone as deserving a 100 dollar premium over an i-phone. i hope verizon makes this a non-issue when the price is officially released. and maybe wirefly can sweeten the pot even further.
The antenna problems were specifically addressed in the CDMA version so it's a non issue.
I've been holding out for the Thunderbolt for the past few weeks but if they don't have a firm date in the next few days, I might just go with an iPhone myself.
michaelkahl
Android Enthusiast
unless you live in a 4g area...get the iPhone and be happy ;-)
with each day the TB is delayed I keep leaning towards to iphone.
1. netflix iphone yes, TB no
2. skype iphone yes (wifi) TB no
3. native support for MS Exchange email iphone yes, TB No
4. eye-fi app, iphone yes, TB no
5. works and is available for purchase, iphone yes, TB no
top 5 reasons why i want the TB instead of the iphone would be...
1. larger 4.3 inch screen
2. connection to 4G LTE network
3. HTC Sence
4. GPS maps built into phone
5. removable battery and flash card.
1. netflix iphone yes, TB no
2. skype iphone yes (wifi) TB no
3. native support for MS Exchange email iphone yes, TB No
4. eye-fi app, iphone yes, TB no
5. works and is available for purchase, iphone yes, TB no
top 5 reasons why i want the TB instead of the iphone would be...
1. larger 4.3 inch screen
2. connection to 4G LTE network
3. HTC Sence
4. GPS maps built into phone
5. removable battery and flash card.
ska.t73
Android Expert
TB will have Skype built in, the app just isn't out yet (will be released on Feb. 28th), you also wont have to use WIFI to use it. It also should be getting neflix as the processor it uses has the correct DRM.
Wolfedude88
Android Expert
Also the Thunderbolt has native Exchange support.
I started with the Sprint HTC Hero. I then bought the EVO on launch day at full retail. I then started working for Verizon and sold my EVO to pay off ETF and got a Droid X from my work. I will say right now that the EVO was HANDS DOWN the best phone I've ever had. That being said, I hated my X, so I sold it and bought an iPhone 4 to see what the hype was about and to learn it since I have to sell it now. I've had it since the 15th and I can't stand it. I hate the apps, everything I want costs money. I hate the screen, its way too small. I hate the camera, the zoom makes the pictures look like crap. I hate having to have itunes, I hate having to type my password every time I want to download an app, I hate how on the dial screen I can't start spelling a name and it narrow down from my contact list who I want... I have to go to contacts, then find the person, then click them and then click call. I hate not having GPS for free, I hate not being able to pull my battery, and most of all... I hate that I spent money on a phone that isn't any better than my HTC Hero was, with the exception of how fast and smooth it is. I can tell you right now... I will be selling this POS to get a TB as soon as its out.