Just Received My Photon 4G!!!!

[mkvoran]

SHAWHEIM! Dude THANK YOU.

I'm really pleased with the camera shots. The whole Pentile screen issue was something I have been concerned about. Although it's true that compressed jpegs translated through browsers and computer screens cannot really tell the true story of the screen quality, I would venture that the COMPARISON between two screens taken in the same photo, and then translated through the exact same digital gauntlet WOULD tell a story. In this case, it actually looks to me like the OG EVO has the nicest, most balanced and least of the "screen door" effect.

That said, all of these devices are remarkable. How could you go wrong? Sprint is the place to be right now and I love it.

I am also interested to know what differences (if any) exist between the Photon and say the SGSII or EVO (phones not meant for "business") in regards to MS Exchange and OWA sync.

Thanks again shawheim. you are the man. and a lucky man to boot.

 

[TheSystem]

When looking at both Mario pics on the Photon and 3vo I see what you are saying about the pixelation on his nose and even the right corner of his hat on the Photon. But look at where the blue sky hits the moon...its pretty clear there. Now look at that same area on the 3vo. Its pixeled pretty good. So it seems they both are showing some sort of pixelation in certain areas.

But just like EarlyMon said, you are relying on so many factors to draw these conclusions (camera, mp, flash, angle, computer screen, resolution), you really need to compare the 2 with your own eyes to be fair.

If shawheim can capture a photo of the grid structure(Which he has) We'd be able to identify that it has a penTile display, no?

 

[shawheim_a]

ok so while i was at the pool i took a few pics and a video. i havent uploaded the video yet but i will as soon as possible. so here are the pics i took.

this was into direct sunlight

normal shots

look at the lifeguard stands legs on the left, you can see the waves from the heat.

Next up multi shot (burst of 6 shots)

thats all the pics from this morning. and before anyone asks, no im not a child predator or anything like that. i work at a summer camp and today was pool day, lol. ill upload the video as soon as possible!

 

[drexappeal]

I see what you are referring to. The shots of the Photon appear pixelated in a similar way magazine photos are pixelated when you look at the print up close.

That would indicate to me that that the Photon uses PenTile or some non-square subpixel layout. Which is a shame. For those with picky eyes, like me, I notice that stuff pretty effortlessly.

Here's native resolution on shawheim's photos: left is Photon; right is Evo 4G. Note the pixelation (screen door effect) on the Photon:

Very noticeable in the glow around the invincibility star.

When looking at both Mario pics on the Photon and 3vo I see what you are saying about the pixelation on his nose and even the right corner of his hat on the Photon. But look at where the blue sky hits the moon...its pretty clear there. Now look at that same area on the 3vo. Its pixeled pretty good. So it seems they both are showing some sort of pixelation in certain areas.

But just like EarlyMon said, you are relying on so many factors to draw these conclusions (camera, mp, flash, angle, computer screen, resolution), you really need to compare the 2 with your own eyes to be fair.

Thank you both! I'm starting to get a better idea of what the fixation has been with regards to the pentile screen. Nontheless, how great is it that we are even able to draw better conclusions, just because shawheim took the plunge on a pre-production device and still end up with great pros and cons for people to weigh-in on, prior to purchasing. For the most part, despite my now noticing the difference with pentile screens, the pros by far out-weigh the cons, for me, and I'll be extremely satisfied with the upgrade.

No one asked the most important question yet?!?!

Where can I get that Mario background? lol

Haha...jroc, I think that was posted in the EVO 4G forums on the thread showing screenshots. I wish I had a direct link to the post, but almost positive it was posted in there. It's a really long thread though, but I believe you can do an isolated search in the actual thread for mario and you may be able to filter down to the user that posted the wallpaper.

ok so while i was at the pool i took a few pics and a video. i havent uploaded the video yet but i will as soon as possible. so here are the pics i took.

thats all the pics from this morning. and before anyone asks, no im not a child predator or anything like that. i work at a summer camp and today was pool day, lol. ill upload the video as soon as possible!

Last request for pics and vid samples for me, would be nighttime shots using flash.

 

[extinctionbb]

can we just put a gsm sim card to get gsm service
or must via sprint or have sim lock?

 

[drexappeal]

can we just put a gsm sim card to get gsm service
or must via sprint or have sim lock?

That's still to be confirmed whether it'd be possible or not.

 

[shawheim_a]

Last request for pics and vid samples for me, would be nighttime shots using flash.

I'll try to get night pics and video tonight!

 

[shawheim_a]

can we just put a gsm sim card to get gsm service
or must via sprint or have sim lock?

I don't have friends with ATT or T Mobile to try to test this. My brother has ATT but he is in florida. Where I live ATT had no 3g at all. very bad service. But I don't have 4g with sprint here either and the closest place is 2 hours away.

 

[robtani]

Shawheim, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Thanks so much for posting all this info. This is so helpful!! I'm returning the EVO3D and will use the old TP2 for one week till this comes out. I was wondering though... How's the battery life? Reasonable?? Better than EVO3D? That's been another disappointing aspect of the EVO3D

Thanks again for the great work!!!

 

[shawheim_a]

Shawheim, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Thanks so much for posting all this info. This is so helpful!! I'm returning the EVO3D and will use the old TP2 for one week till this comes out. I was wondering though... How's the battery life? Reasonable?? Better than EVO3D? That's been another disappointing aspect of the EVO3D

Thanks again for the great work!!!

thanks man! as for battery life, i have been getting decent battery life. the past 2 days have been checking emails from the forums and getting on the phandroid app and responding to peoples questions. i have made a few phone calls and have received a few. basic internet browsing and downloading apps. i also downloaded and installed Netflix and I CAN CONFIRM that netflix works. but back to battery life. i have been getting just as good life as i was with my 3D which was like 8-10 hours with normal-above normal use. im just waiting for root and a good kernal and rom to make these things fly.

 

[shawheim_a]

so i have a little bad news... Motorola just called me at work and said that i was in possession of a device that i probably shouldnt have. said that i could be looking at jail time if i dont return it to them. sooooooo long story short, i wont be able to do much more reviewing for you guys i guess it was fun while it lasted. he also told me that he would make sure to talk to paypal to ensure i get my money back. id love to keep this phone, but im not going to jail over it. ill still give my opinions on how it functions til i send it back. looks like Moto saw my front page stuff and got some calls and made some calls, like to me. IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED!!! oh yeah i still have a video to upload!

 

[N3tt3chman]

IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED!!!

+1 I'm really looking forward to this phone! Kinda crappy they would call and do that what are they trying to hide?

 

[EarlyMon]

Wow.

Talk about being on the front line and taking it on the chin for the community!

I for one appreciate the great work you've done and help you've given for our collective benefit!

Guess we'll get to hear the rest when the normal channel phones come out.

 

[shawheim_a]

yeah im happy with the time i have spent with this phone. im gonna ask the motorola guy when i contact him later if they can send me a non confidential motorola restricted property Photon 4G. i think i did a good job with the time i have had it. def gonna get as much use out of it til i have to send it back. the response i have received from the Android Forums Community has been more than appreciated. ill also try to get more pics of the phone itself and a few of the things i like about it. i would say i could use this phone everyday, i havent missed my 3D one bit.

 

[jconnon]

so i have a little bad news... Motorola just called me at work and said that i was in possession of a device that i probably shouldnt have. said that i could be looking at jail time if i dont return it to them. sooooooo long story short, i wont be able to do much more reviewing for you guys i guess it was fun while it lasted. he also told me that he would make sure to talk to paypal to ensure i get my money back. id love to keep this phone, but im not going to jail over it. ill still give my opinions on how it functions til i send it back. looks like Moto saw my front page stuff and got some calls and made some calls, like to me. IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED!!! oh yeah i still have a video to upload!

Thats a shame really, you probably just helped boost their sales of this phone. They should give you a freebie for the positive press you have given them.

 

[jrstinkfish]

Seems to me you're doing more good than harm with the phone, lathering some people into a Photon frenzy, but it is their property, though you think they'd realize some great free advertising when they see it and let you slide.

 

[shawheim_a]

Thats a shame really, you probably just helped boost their sales of this phone. They should give you a freebie for the positive press you have given them.

i am definitely gonna ask the big wig that contacted me if they seriously can. i mean like u said, i just boosted their sales a whole hell of a lot. i was the first regular person to review this phone. not a tech site employee or anything like that. just a regular old android fan. i think that says a lot. i hope it all works out tho.

 

[JSchu22]

so i have a little bad news... Motorola just called me at work and said that i was in possession of a device that i probably shouldnt have. said that i could be looking at jail time if i dont return it to them. sooooooo long story short, i wont be able to do much more reviewing for you guys i guess it was fun while it lasted. he also told me that he would make sure to talk to paypal to ensure i get my money back. id love to keep this phone, but im not going to jail over it. ill still give my opinions on how it functions til i send it back. looks like Moto saw my front page stuff and got some calls and made some calls, like to me. IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED!!! oh yeah i still have a video to upload!

That really sucks. How did they find you though?

 

[donniegood]

How did they find out your work information??

 

[shawheim_a]

another problem i have is that the second video i took will not upload on youtube as HD for ANYTHING!!!! its so frustrating......

 

[shawheim_a]

That really sucks. How did they find you though?

How did they find out your work information??

i have no idea. im guessing they saw the post on here. my sn on here is my real name. but i dont have my last name on here. i guess between the 4 forums i posted this on they found out enough to know my first name and the city i live in (which happens to be all over the screens of all 3 phones in the pics) to zoom in on a number and call. plus i have worked at my job for 14 years and its for the city so it may not be hard. either way it sucks a little, but i am happy that i helped out more people with a decision than i ever have.

 

[jroc]

Mental note:

If I ever get a phone like this, before its released....dont post pics of the phone or edit out the not for sale part....probably just dont post pics of the phone....

Damn shawheim, feel bad for ya man.

 

[shawheim_a]

Mental note:

If I ever get a phone like this, before its released....dont post pics of the phone or edit out the not for sale part....probably just dont post pics of the phone....

Damn shawheim, feel bad for ya man.

dont feel bad jroc. i couldnt keep it all to myself, i had to let the world know!!! guess i forgot for a few that Motorola is part of that world. i feel good about it because i helped out people.

 

[snowcrash]

Motorola obviously is clueless about PR...you have done more good for them then they can imagine. People are starved for info on this phone and here you are filling the void with positive reviews...they have to be insane to stop you! Heck it would be a good strategy going forward to "leak" new phones to friendly reviewers. How many people held off on buying an EVO3D or returned theirs because of your reviews.

I would ask the motorola guy to read this forum and to understand that it is full of the power users who everyone else calls and asks what phone to get. We are the guys that they want to make happy - I am sure most of you on this forum have made buying decisions for many relatives and friends etc. See if this hotshot will at least review the forum and maybe even communicate with us directly so that we can find answers to our questions - and tell them you will send them back the demo phone (keep the SD card) but you expect them to send you a brand new unit in a week when it is released.

 

[twospirits]

Wow, what a bummer. And yeah you would think that with all the hoopla this thread/review is getting that they should be happy that they are getting folks to talk about the phone and possibly bringing in more interest in buying one.

The only thing i can think of forcing them to want the phone back is that it may very well have an unlocked bootloader since it is a developers phone. version 2.3.4 or something to that effect.

Either way, I do hope you get your money back and once again thanks for all the pics and answering questions.

TS