• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Help Motorola Triumph "Beware of Issues"

Status
Not open for further replies.
I agree with the OP in the sense that I can reproduce the issues, except I'm still waiting for my phone to activate which is any minute now. My overall impression of the phone is a 7/10.

I made them do a speedtest before I purchased the phone so I know what to expect. But wifi signal has been great for me, better than my desktop. I had Sprint in the past so I know what to expect.

Camera is actually horrible for me, as it clicks and blur a lot when it comes to macroshots. But coming from a Nokia phone with Carl Zeiss lens, I'm bound to miss something.

Screen flicker is worse for me as sometimes when I power back on, the colors are messed up and I have to turn it off and on again.

Touch sensitivity is not great, but acceptable. There are little things like backlight leakage (noticed with black background) and volume from 0 to 1 goes from nothing to too loud.

I have some faith these issues will be fixes by software updates (2.3) or custom rom hopefully. Right now the benefit of affordable Virgin plans are too good. Still it'll put my friend's iPhone4 to shame due to Android features, beautiful vibrant screen and overall a great performer. The screen simply makes this thing perfect for videos and I can skip getting a 7" tablet.
 
Looks like I'm back to BestBuy to get another one.

This one is more so a junker than the other. When I turn off the phone, it doesn't turn back on unless I remove the battery and replace it. The battery is also fully charged.

GPS doesn't work at all on this one. I've had it for a couple days now and has never worked once.

*sigh*
 
>>GPS doesn't work at all on this one.

This is my major criticism with the unit I have. The Time To First Fix (TTFF) is excessively long and perhaps it works, just horrendously.

There are people who've identified the Libs to replace in \system and \system\hw but it requires rooting... something you're familiar with issacj87.

If you download GPS Status + Toolbox from the market, and you perform a reset and download the AGPS data, then go outside and wait 2+ minutes, then perhaps you'll see your first fix. It might be a HW problem, but I'm sort of convinced it is SW related.

My Samsung Intercept would lock indoors or outdoors rapidly.

The USB firmware seems flakey on this model. As someone else reported, I cannot connect my phone via USB to a Sony BT Car Radio and navigate the SD card music content like I could on the Intercept. I think this is because it presents both a mass storage and CD-ROM device to a PC (and the radio) via USB. That is my second issue.

My third issue, I'm still experiencing (but very infrequent) unit reboots.

Grrr.
 
Killa-X said:
Sorry your phone didnt work out for you samman7.
1. Have not yet to seen this problem, mine just turns on, no flick.
2. Well, My phone hasnt reboot due to weak signal so far either
3. Not sure on this one, but i haven't heard clicking yet.
4. Have not seen this my self. but i dont store my phone near any FLs. My room is CFLs, and so far pictures come out the same as my digital camera, just not near as sharp of course, because a phone camera cannot beat a digital camera from my understandings.

http://i.imgur.com/0grtE.jpg -- Room (lit by 8 CFLs)
http://i.imgur.com/28BxO.jpg -- Random 5MP shot from mall window with flash
http://i.imgur.com/tFUGo.jpg -- Testing speed of camera, 45mph in car, no bluring
http://i.imgur.com/xpF02.jpg -- Storage unit, in reality, the end of that hallway is a different color FL lamp. Either its dieing, or its tented, because the hallway i was in, i was standing under the only bright FL tube, the rest were dimmer, and had a more tungsten type feel to it.

$300 well spent =) Ordered from VirginmobileUSA.com
Click to expand...


Thanks for your comments, however, the only thing you didn't try is taking the picture directly into a light fixture using spot focus enable. This what cause my Yellow blob issue. Furthermore, I also tried all manual setting, and still didn't fix the problem. Please notice my picture again, all around the edges are fine, just the center area has the Yellow blob. Anyway doesn't matter now. I have already got my refund. Now wait till Black friday to see if the phone price drops. then I'll buy it again. Because with these known issue the phone does not worth $300 but maybe $200 instead.
 
cutterjohn said:
I becoming more and more dubious of the "ability" of foxconn engineers to build a pretty straightforward fw, as in I'm beginning to wonder if some of these problems aren't ultimately triggering bugs in their froyo build.

Hopefully with Google buying Motorola Mobility they'll take away stock fw from Foxconn and start doing it inhouse, and get us more frequent updates. It'd be nice to get icecream sandwich quickly... and from a more competent source...
Click to expand...

Foxconn(Taiwan company) did not design the VM MT, only provided final assembly which happened only a month ago. Huawei(china company) is the company that design/makes VM MT. See the link below

Motorola Triumph - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
samman7 said:
Dear All,

Just let you all know I was one of those customers who had high hope for new Motorola Triumph from VM (brought the phone first when it came out at Bestbuy local store on 7/20), However, that went downhill after I started to experience the following issues below. Please note some of these issues are already noted in android forums & VM website by other people who also experienced same issues, which I only repeating because I was having the same issues as well. I’m totally convinced the quality of this product is very bad, that why I have already returned my Triumph phone back to the store this morning, and return using my Samsung Intercept. So Beware!

ISSUES
1) was able to duplicate Screen flicker issue if repeat push power button (as shown in link below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dugB7Iuk-8
2) Weak signals cause phone to reboot
3) With Spot focus & AF mode on, will cause HW clicking sound near camera lens
4) Don't take picture directly any Florescent lighting like what I accidently did lay on my couch yesterday, because it will damage the camera sensor, causing yellow blob in the middle of the screen every time you take picture indoors.


Conclusion:
Not worth the money ($300) you might want to wait till Motorola & Huawei fixes these issues or wait till VM introduce another phone that is not exclusive to VM(like intercept & Optimus). Which should have better reliability?
Click to expand...

Adding to the list of issues that others experienced
5) Bluetooth headset will have static or other end receiving call will not able to hear you.
6) LCD Touch Screen light leaks at bottom corners.
7)DEAD ON ARRIVAL OR DEAD IN FEW DAYS.
8)SCREEN freeze
9)GPS takes at least 2mins to get it's position(too long)
10)Battery will not hold it's charge
11)Power button sticks
12)WIFI Tethering will not work ( there is work arounds out there but not stable.)
 
samman7 said:
Adding to the list of issues that others experienced
5) Bluetooth headset will have static or other end receiving call will not able to hear you.
6) LED light leaks at bottom corners.
7)DEAD ON ARRIVAL OR DEAD IN FEW DAYS.
8)SCREEN freeze
9)GPS takes at least 2mins to get it's position(too long)
10)Battery will not hold it's charge
11)Power button sticks
12)WIFI Tethering will not work ( there is work arounds out there but not stable.)
Click to expand...

tethering shouldn't be an issue because VM doesn't want you to do it!
 
Posts have been edited for rudeness, and one removed for the same reason.

This thread was looking pretty interesting until personal remarks were made. Lots of knowledge and shared tips, etc. Let's please keep it that way so that the thread can remain open.
 
samman7 said:
Exchange won't solve the problems, because I'm now convinced that this Product Is not worth $300 bucks and will repurchase Later once product becomes stable and price drops lower
Click to expand...


From everything I am hearing the first couple of shipments were faulty, but were better in later ones. Mine is flawless and even after root and kernel upgrade and now 1800 overclock all is still well... so don't give up too quickly...
 
maclaren said:
From everything I am hearing the first couple of shipments were faulty, but were better in later ones. Mine is flawless and even after root and kernel upgrade and now 1800 overclock all is still well... so don't give up too quickly...
Click to expand...

Maclaren,

I haven't give up, I'm still planning to buy this phone (MT) during end of year to see whether I can get the best deal! Because, so far I haven't seen any carriers who has a plan that is $25 a month with ulimited data & Text. probably never well.hehe! In meantime my VM Samsung Intercept works just fine. Thanks!
 
idbl_fanatic said:
Everyone complaining about the screen flicker, who actually sits there and turns the screen off, and on, off, and on, off, and on, off, and on?
Click to expand...

I have not experienced any of the issues people are complaining about. It is a good phone, no better or worse than many similar devices. I like it because it is fast, the screen is great, and it seems to work quite well.

I'll bet high end Droids and other devices have issues people write about on forums.

The light leaks can be explained by general assembly and the gap (a largely unavoidable issue that happens because a piece of glass is set into the device) some are seeing. The color issues with the camera can be explained by understanding that there are many different kinds of lamps and many different color temperatures.

The scratches on the glass can be caused by keys or perhaps grit on your cleaning cloth. Gorilla Glass is not indestructible and not immune to damage. Some people think in no way should GG scratch.

I come from Palm Manufacturing and I can tell you there are issues that get fixed as production increases. Not excusing Motorola, just saying that blank happens.

I wonder how many satisfied users there are compared to upset users.
 
TomXP411 said:
The only difference is that Virgin has the legal right to tell you not to tether. They can't tell you not to root.
Click to expand...

They can try to tell you not to root. I noticed on the box there was a line or two of text that mentioned modifying the software is a violation of their TOS. It was either on the little pull strip or under it. So apparently (and depending on what a good Rooting does to their software) yes, they can tell you not to root. You agreed not to root.

And no, I'll still root and I am not saying not to root or rooting is illegal. Rooting is good, rooting is best, and God bless the rooters. So no flames. Smiley.

And I know, the LOC and Apple fought over Jailbreaking and the ruling was not good for Apple because it essentially made rooting legal to some extent.

Interesting that according to VM's TOS, the Triumph is for personal use only. They cite long phone calls and large numbers of email/SMS messages as "proof" that the device might be used for business which is a violation of VM's TOS.

I'll bet VM would never mention this restricted use in their advertising. I am not sure if they mean it, just know what they say, specifically. I seriously doubt I will obey King VM on this issue. I most definitely use my phone for business. I'll likely go to their Face Book page and raise some Bob style heck. Smiley.

You cannot use your device for pornography, did you know that? Viewing pornographic or obscene material is a TOS violation. Not that I like it, just pulling tidbits from their agreement.

You cannot use your phone for anything construed as advertising. Not sure what that means. You cannot view YouTube (and other sites) if you are looking at material that was illegally posted. Like much of the music on YT or the World Wide Web.

VM has the right to modify your software remotely without your consent. Not sure what that means, but it must sound nefarious to some people. Perhaps they will lock your device if they think you are using it in a way they consider is a TOS violation.
 
MacFett said:
It has been ruled that rooting and jailbreaking are fully legal regardless of what your carrier says.

Rooting your Android Phone No Longer a Crime! AndroidGuys
iPhone jailbreaking (and all cell phone unlocking) made legal - Yahoo! News
Click to expand...

Never said it was illegal. I think I said the word "illegal" was a fire starter in an earlier post. Big difference between something that is illegal and a TOS violation. If I did say illegal, I formally retract that statement.

So yes, it is legal, but that does not mean the manufacturer cannot charge you for a repair should you have a problem with a JB/Root. That was preserved in the LOC ruling.

And it does not mean your carrier must allow it; rather, allow the tethering abilities provided by a JB/Root and an Android app. VM can still impose TOS that says you cannot modify their software and use your phone as a hot-spot.

Although the LOC ruled that you can "modify" your Triumph's software, they did not say you can do things VM forbids, like use their Android devices and a cheap plan to get cheap Internet access. And they are free to cap your data at some point described in their TOS.

Heck, apparently, I cannot use my phone for business. And to that, I say BS, VM. I'll use my phone for business despite the agreement I "signed" with you.

Apple tried to shut us down. They claimed Jailbreaking represented a copyright violation and the LOC said no, it is considered fair use. I suspect at some point, we will pay for it. One way or another.
 
I am not saying you should root to use the phone as a hot spot. I like that the ability is there to do so, it is nice to have in case of an emergency. But it isn't something that I would use on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

I think we're both in agreement about hotspots, I just wanted to make sure others understood that rooting is indeed legal. If you do something illegal after you root that is on the individual.
 
I really wanted to like this phone but on the 29th day I decided this phone was a no go and returned it to Bestbuy for a full refound I just couldn't make any more excuses why I should keep this phone dispite all of the documented issues which I wont repeate here the deal breaker was the notoriously weak signal 0-1 bar always, ma son's el cheapo flip Virgin phone gets 3-4 bars. And the dreadful battery life from full to zero in 3 hours perhaps due to it always seaching for a signal for those two reasons alone there shouldn't be any 5star ratings for the motorola triumph, Therefore i'm very suspicious of all those glowing 5star reviews on this site and the virgin mobile site these phones are defected and should be recall similar to a vihecle recall i'm not a novice i've been using smart phone since Windows mobile I was the first one to buy the iphone 1 that's right I was one of the suckers that paid $666 for a phone so don't tell me I don't know what i'm talking about SHAME ON MOTOROLA AND VIRGIN MOBILE for releasing such a P.O.S:mad:
 
Bill2099 said:
I really wanted to like this phone but on the 29th day I decided this phone was a no go and returned it to Bestbuy for a full refound I just couldn't make any more excuses why I should keep this phone dispite all of the documented issues which I wont repeate here the deal breaker was the notoriously weak signal 0-1 bar always, ma son's el cheapo flip Virgin phone gets 3-4 bars. And the dreadful battery life from full to zero in 3 hours perhaps due to it always seaching for a signal for those two reasons alone there shouldn't be any 5star ratings for the motorola triumph, Therefore i'm very suspicious of all those glowing 5star reviews on this site and the virgin mobile site these phones are defected and should be recall similar to a vihecle recall i'm not a novice i've been using smart phone since Windows mobile I was the first one to buy the iphone 1 that's right I was one of the suckers that paid $666 for a phone so don't tell me I don't know what i'm talking about SHAME ON MOTOROLA AND VIRGIN MOBILE for releasing such a P.O.S:mad:
Click to expand...

Go sprint and get a nexus s 4g :)
it's what i am rocking now. Much better experience
than the Triumph(Although i kind of want an Echo just because of the 2 screens lol)
 
Bill2099 said:
I really wanted to like this phone but on the 29th day I decided this phone was a no go and returned it to Bestbuy for a full refound I just couldn't make any more excuses why I should keep this phone dispite all of the documented issues which I wont repeate here the deal breaker was the notoriously weak signal 0-1 bar always, ma son's el cheapo flip Virgin phone gets 3-4 bars. And the dreadful battery life from full to zero in 3 hours perhaps due to it always seaching for a signal for those two reasons alone there shouldn't be any 5star ratings for the motorola triumph, Therefore i'm very suspicious of all those glowing 5star reviews on this site and the virgin mobile site these phones are defected and should be recall similar to a vihecle recall i'm not a novice i've been using smart phone since Windows mobile I was the first one to buy the iphone 1 that's right I was one of the suckers that paid $666 for a phone so don't tell me I don't know what i'm talking about SHAME ON MOTOROLA AND VIRGIN MOBILE for releasing such a P.O.S:mad:
Click to expand...

Many people flock to the net to find help or to complain about their device choices. So I am not surprised to find dissatisfied Triumph users on this forum.

Forum opinions are blind and one never knows for sure if the dissatisfied user has a legitimate problem or their issues stem from not knowing much. I wonder what percentage of those that own the Triumph are satisfied with their purchase? Most users likely do not read dedicated forums and threads because they are not seeing the problems so many seem to have. Tens of thousands of users go about their day sans issues or problems.

I think the issues posted in this thread have more to to with the build, glass, screens, light leaks, volume issues and the like rather than issues that might stem from not knowing much. They see what they think is a defect and they complain rather than learn how to use their phone.

So your experience with smart phones or that you bought an iPhone matter very little in my opinion.

The screen is great, no issues there. It is well built, it seems to charge fast and the battery life is about as expected. Battery life seems to be a little less than other phones I've owned, but that has to do with a larger screen and faster processor, likely.

Perhaps the next go around, you can purchase a "better" phone and go with a big carrier. And note those forums that cater to your phone; it will be filled with unhappy users screaming how the latest 'Droid' sucks ducks and blows wind.
 
I haven't had any problems with my Triumph except the GPS thing. I've taken pictures in a building aimed at fluorescent lights (though it's a high ceiling) and directly at the sun, and the only time the yellow is a problem is in dim lighting. I haven't done any manual adjustments.

Has anyone with the screen flicker tried disabling auto brightness to see if that changes anything?
 
I think it's safe to say that the triumph was not the phone alot of ppl were hyping up.

People that are diehard Android fanatics are willing to blame user error(and sometimes rightfully so)
Instead accepting the fact that it may very well be the phone.


Given the fact that I know how to use an android phone(use one, you have used them all), its not user error. The phone is average at best.

And I'm willing to bet that there are a lot more people than us on android forum who have been having the same problems listed here....

Even the "professional" reviewers have noted the some of the same issues
 
lou61166 said:
This is a pathetic statement,unless you can come up with some hard facts about the failure rate of any phone,you should not be questioning what experience people have using a phone,calling people idiots and saying its user error and not the phone without solid proof is no different, then what you are claiming members are doing on this board.i love how people can make failure rate claims on forum threads is beyond me.
Click to expand...

Be specific, please.
 
micahdiablo said:
I think it's safe to say that the triumph was not the phone alot of ppl were hyping up.

People that are diehard Android fanatics are willing to blame user error(and sometimes rightfully so)
Instead accepting the fact that it may very well be the phone.


Given the fact that I know how to use an android phone(use one, you have used them all), its not user error. The phone is average at best.

And I'm willing to bet that there are a lot more people than us on android forum who have been having the same problems listed here....

Even the "professional" reviewers have noted the some of the same issues
Click to expand...

Perhaps it is the phone. I am not saying there cannot be something fundamentally flawed with the device. I've built enough consumer electronics products in my day to know that some designs are flawed. Some of you likely owned one or more of the devices I helped build.

You are "willing to bet that there are a lot more people than us on android forum who have been having the same problems listed here" and that might be true. Not saying the Triumph is flawless. What I am saying is I, personally, have not seen any of the issues being discussed here.

I am saying perhaps most users are happy and forums are quite often one of the places where dissatisfied people come to find out about their devices. If you go to a hard core Apple site, the iPhone is better than the Android and you will read quite a load of crap about our little green friend. It might suggest to some that iOS rules and Android is truly bad. Not at all true.

I really do not know until I see some hard data that is reliable and not slanted. Perhaps the Triumph is a crap fest but, perhaps some users are to blame.

Today I was browsing the Android Market and I read a number of complaints about launcher themes. These hapless posters were trying to open their themes and did not understand that themes cannot be opened. Therefore, the poster voted no and told people not to buy.

As for "professional" reviewers, that says very little because anyone can be a reviewer these days. Unless I know something about the reviewer, saying they agree with you or someone else does not necessarily mean the professional knows anything. You would be surprised to know just how many reviews are "written" by lazy writers simply copying and pasting from other sites. Or by people that slant their reviews because they hate the product.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom