Looking to Upgrade to an Android Phone - Suggestions?

[Demo318]

I'm new to these forums and to the world of Android in general. I have found myself looking to upgrade to a smartphone (primarily to reliably sync my google calendar, email accounts, and other organizational elements), and Android is one of the attractive candidates.

However, I'm not quite sure what to buy. I'm looking at upgrading sometime in the next few weeks, so this deal is very appealing. One question about it, though: Under the 'eligibility requirements,' must I meet all of the first three points or only one of them? I am on a family plan, but as far as I know, I am not in the second or third categories listed.

I haven't limited myself to the phones in that deal, though. I'm looking at the rest of T-Mobile's selection. Yet, I'm still kind of lost. I haven't followed the development of the Android platform and devices hardly at all. I want to spend around (preferably under) $300, but I'm not sure on which one. What recommendations do you guys have? I also text quite a bit and like to keep up on the latest software updates. Can you point me in a good direction?

 

[tstarky]

I can't answer your questions about the deals you are looking at but I can tell you that you cannot go wrong with the HTC G2. When I run the Quadrant Standard app it comes out faster than any other. I haven't had any problems with it at all and has been very reliable.

 

[phaet2112]

Depends on the timeframe you are looking at. TMo is rumored to be getting the LG Optimus 2x in March/April, a Samsung Vibrant v2 with 4g bands, as well as a possible updated version of the Samsung Nexus S. If you can wait, you have those to choose from, along with the current G2 and current Nexus S to choose.

If you can't wait, you should compare the G2 and the Nexus S in store and decide if you like keyboards or not. G2 is pretty close to stock android, and Nexus S is literally stock android (will be like Nexus 1 and accept all updates). One problem with Nexus S is that there are some random reboots happening during calls that has been replicated by Google and they are "working on it". People are really pissed at Samsung for holding out on the current Vibrant update to Froyo considering Froyo gives performance boosts. No US Galaxy S phone has gotten to Froyo yet, so Sammy's track record isn't good. And then there are people who are miffed about the rebooting of the stock nexus s (which is >$300) but whose updates will be strictly handled by google.

I would get the G2 now if you can't wait, or wait at least 1 month for mobile world congress to see what phones will be debuted there. Then you can have a good idea what you like and what you don't.

One thing- I have gotten a chance to play with the Atrix from a buddy, and I do have to say the dual core phones (LG Optimus 2x is one) have none of the (ever so) slight lag that the snapdragon phones do, or even the G2 can have.