Getting mixed replies about what (in my opinion) is the most important thing , signal acquisition. Which phone is capable of "working best" in weak signal areas???? Always been very impressed with my MoPho, find it hard to believe Samsung finally built a phone with good acquisition as ALL my previous phones were made by Sammy and none matched up to my MoPho.
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Photon or Galaxy S2
- Thread starter snowcrash
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- motorola photon 4g
I live in a very weak signal area, With my Photon i only got 1 bar of sprint service if i stood outside in my driveway and when roaming i got between 3-4 bars, But my Photon would frequently swap between no service and roaming when inside my house, and even when in roaming the signal would bounce all over the place.
The first thing i noticed when i brought my E4GT home was i maintained 2 bars of sprint service outside and 1 bar inside which still aloud me to make calls, text use 3g etc. When i go upstairs in my room it immediately swaps over to roaming and maintains 5-6 bars without any bouncing or constant swapping between service and no service.
With that being said In my experience thus far the E4GT has much better signal acquisition then the Photon, which surprised the hell out of me. I was expecting to come home and be SOL with cell service.
Okay, so, I stopped by the Sprint store today and gave the E4GT a good workout. I'll give some thoughts here, and note that although I currently have a Photon I have no vested interest in it over the E4GT. Indeed, I'll be deciding soon between the two, because my wife needs a new smartphone and will likely get a Photon whether it's mine (and I get the E4GT) or her own.
1. Build: The phone is very light, almost too light, and it's noticeably bigger than the Photon. Personally, I like the Photon in hand much better than the E4GT--the Photon just feels more solid to me. The E4GT's build quality is probably very good but the lightness made it feel a little cheap to me. Winner: Photon.
2. Screen: The E4GT's screen didn't seem noticeably better to me than the Photon's, and note that I'm one who doesn't notice the "screendoor" effect. To me, the colors on the E4GT were blown out as usual, it wasn't as bright, and I didn't like the resolution. Comparing the E4GT to the Photon side-by-side, I felt like the E4GT was something intended for a preschooler. Text was crisper on the Photon, and the screen was brighter on auto. Winner: Photon.
3. Touchscreen: I was very disappointed to find that the E4GT was displaying the same missed touches on the capacitive buttons as my Epic did. On a number of occasions, I had to hit the home and back buttons more than once to get them to register, which reminded me of one of my frustrations with the Epic. Overall, touch seemed less responsive than the Photon, which is perfect in this regard. Winner: Photon
4. Performance: I noticed some lag when switching home screens on the E4GT, pretty much identical to the sorts of lag I experience with the Photon. Nothing major, but there. Opening and running apps seemed pretty much identical. I also MUCH prefer the screen transitions on the Photon, including moving from landscape to portrait and back. Not only do I like the smoothness of the transition effect on the Photon, but it's quicker. The E4GT hesitated sometimes in changing orientation, which always bugged me on the Epic. Winner: Overall performance a tie, transitions Photon.
5. Skin: TouchWiz 4.0, which I love on my wife's Galaxy Tab 10.1, doesn't translate as well to the phone. It seemed much more cartoonish to me on the E4GT, with overly bright colors in some places and then the unpleasant dark color scheme with the calendar and such. Although the widgets seem nicer on the E4GT than the low-res widgets in the Photon's skin (proto-Blur or whatever it's called), overall I like what Motorola's done here. Winner: Photon.
6. Screen: Did I mention that the screen is really big and the resolution means everything just looks unnecessarily large? Oh, yeah, I did, but it needs to be stressed: if you're gonna give us a 4.52" screen, then give us a resolution to go with it. Otherwise everything's just blown up to no purpose.
Overall, I think that if my wife ends up needing a new phone right now, she'll likely get her own Photon and I'll keep mine. I can see no good reason to get the E4GT over the Photon, and a number of really good reasons to pick the Photon over the E4GT. I doubt we'll see a difference in real-world performance, I prefer the brightness and crispness of the Photon's screen, and the Photon just seems like the more elegant, serious, and powerful device because of the more solid build, extra heft, and screen transitions.
My personal opinion is that the E4GT might be the better-spec'ed device in some ways, and benchmarks better, but the Photon is the better smartphone overall. And that's not even to mention the likely superior Motorola radios, which I didn't get a chance to compare. But that's one of the things that's impressed me most about the Photon--I honestly don't think a smartphone can perform _better_ than the Photon as a phone.
1. Build: The phone is very light, almost too light, and it's noticeably bigger than the Photon. Personally, I like the Photon in hand much better than the E4GT--the Photon just feels more solid to me. The E4GT's build quality is probably very good but the lightness made it feel a little cheap to me. Winner: Photon.
2. Screen: The E4GT's screen didn't seem noticeably better to me than the Photon's, and note that I'm one who doesn't notice the "screendoor" effect. To me, the colors on the E4GT were blown out as usual, it wasn't as bright, and I didn't like the resolution. Comparing the E4GT to the Photon side-by-side, I felt like the E4GT was something intended for a preschooler. Text was crisper on the Photon, and the screen was brighter on auto. Winner: Photon.
3. Touchscreen: I was very disappointed to find that the E4GT was displaying the same missed touches on the capacitive buttons as my Epic did. On a number of occasions, I had to hit the home and back buttons more than once to get them to register, which reminded me of one of my frustrations with the Epic. Overall, touch seemed less responsive than the Photon, which is perfect in this regard. Winner: Photon
4. Performance: I noticed some lag when switching home screens on the E4GT, pretty much identical to the sorts of lag I experience with the Photon. Nothing major, but there. Opening and running apps seemed pretty much identical. I also MUCH prefer the screen transitions on the Photon, including moving from landscape to portrait and back. Not only do I like the smoothness of the transition effect on the Photon, but it's quicker. The E4GT hesitated sometimes in changing orientation, which always bugged me on the Epic. Winner: Overall performance a tie, transitions Photon.
5. Skin: TouchWiz 4.0, which I love on my wife's Galaxy Tab 10.1, doesn't translate as well to the phone. It seemed much more cartoonish to me on the E4GT, with overly bright colors in some places and then the unpleasant dark color scheme with the calendar and such. Although the widgets seem nicer on the E4GT than the low-res widgets in the Photon's skin (proto-Blur or whatever it's called), overall I like what Motorola's done here. Winner: Photon.
6. Screen: Did I mention that the screen is really big and the resolution means everything just looks unnecessarily large? Oh, yeah, I did, but it needs to be stressed: if you're gonna give us a 4.52" screen, then give us a resolution to go with it. Otherwise everything's just blown up to no purpose.
Overall, I think that if my wife ends up needing a new phone right now, she'll likely get her own Photon and I'll keep mine. I can see no good reason to get the E4GT over the Photon, and a number of really good reasons to pick the Photon over the E4GT. I doubt we'll see a difference in real-world performance, I prefer the brightness and crispness of the Photon's screen, and the Photon just seems like the more elegant, serious, and powerful device because of the more solid build, extra heft, and screen transitions.
My personal opinion is that the E4GT might be the better-spec'ed device in some ways, and benchmarks better, but the Photon is the better smartphone overall. And that's not even to mention the likely superior Motorola radios, which I didn't get a chance to compare. But that's one of the things that's impressed me most about the Photon--I honestly don't think a smartphone can perform _better_ than the Photon as a phone.
Androidalltheway
Android Enthusiast
I too have the photon, and agree with you on most fronts. I will say however the camera on the epic touch is far superior in every way.
I didn't compare those directly, but the camera on the E4GT was definitely responsive. Couldn't turn off the shutter sound, like on the Photon, so that definitely seems to be a new Sprint policy.
I find this extremely hard to believe considering my past experience with many Samsung phones and the overwhelming majority of posts saying the exact opposite on the Touch forum. Perhaps you have "new phone syndrome" and are hyper-hyping your new phone. That being said, it is a sweet device, enjoy it.
That has been my experience 100% no BS. I never actually did andy research on the Galaxy prior to purchase in any way, i was genuinely just not happy with the Photon turning off on me all the time. I dont get the "new phone syndrome" cause to me it all about the functionality and quality of the device, theres never a reason to hold a biased opinion.
To be honest the only reason why i posted in this forum in the first place was i was searching about the FM radio app missing on the phone and found this thread. It just so happened I owned a Photon for some time and the E4GT and figured i would give what my experiences have been so far.
This is my first samsung smart phone, so i wasnt even aware of any previous issues samsung phones had. Most of my phones have always been motorola, including the D1, DX, DX2 and the Photon.
In this case even if it is a one off thing like its just my area where the E4GT is shining i do get much better/stable service with it all around including noticeably faster dada speeds.
There's a location on my commute to work where every phone I've used since moving here five years ago has lost data and voice signal. That includes: my old Palm Treo 650 and Windows Mobile phones on Sprint, my Sprint Pre, a Samsung Focus on AT&T, an HTC HD7 on T-Mobile, a Pre 2 on AT&T, and a Samsung Epic.
The only phone that doesn't lose signal in this area is the Photon. It maintains both voice and 3G data. As I pass through this area with coworkers, their iPhones and HTC Evos lose connection in the same place.
As far as I'm concerned, the Photon has great reception.
The only phone that doesn't lose signal in this area is the Photon. It maintains both voice and 3G data. As I pass through this area with coworkers, their iPhones and HTC Evos lose connection in the same place.
As far as I'm concerned, the Photon has great reception.
Theres similar stretch of highway here in CT where im from that occurs the identical signal loss, unfortunately i havent found a phone yet that carries a signal through that area including the E4GT.
The photon compared to many other phones does have great reception, my sisters EVO 4G doesn't get any service at all and only gets about 1 bar while roaming when at my house, and same goes for my friends Nexus S.
Either way both of these phones is a win, everyone is going to have different experiences and opinions so you cant go wrong with either one, as long as you get a photon without the "SOD" issue
I can think of one really good reason for choosing the Photon over the GS2
The Photon radio is the best on Sprint hands down. It gets reception better than any other Sprint phone I have ever seen in weak areas. This includes phone reception, 3g and 4g. It holds a 4G signal much better than anything else I have encountered. Plus it is a world phone.
For someone that wants their phone to actually have service first, and be a toy later, the Photon is the best choice without question.
As sexy as the GS2? No. More practical? I'd say so.
The Photon radio is the best on Sprint hands down. It gets reception better than any other Sprint phone I have ever seen in weak areas. This includes phone reception, 3g and 4g. It holds a 4G signal much better than anything else I have encountered. Plus it is a world phone.
For someone that wants their phone to actually have service first, and be a toy later, the Photon is the best choice without question.
As sexy as the GS2? No. More practical? I'd say so.
I don't even agree that the Photon's not as sexy as the E4GT. I'd say it is, but it's Audrey Hepburn vs. a dime-store hooker.
(Samsung fans, that's a joke. Mostly.
)What I'm reading @ xda with regards to camera is that the sound is a requirement over in asia. You can fix it via root; and likely there will be a patch later on to allow you to set it [my speculation] since usa laws are different.
M
Member 385453
Guest
For me it breaks down like this.
Photon Pros:
Kickstand
Separate Micro HDMI and USB ports
Optional Docks
Buttons are more responsive
Screen Resolution and Brightness
Motorola Support
Picture editing tools
Reception
Stock Blur interface
Dedicated camera button
Dual led flash
Sound quality
Photon Cons:
Contrast Ratio
Screen door affect. This may be resolved with an update, but it's not as bad as everyone says. Doesn't affect me. Pictures still look great.
Camera is a little blurry at times.
ET4G Pros:
Camera and FFC
Camera options
Screen colors, contrast ratio, and off axis viewing
Better Processor (This might go in Motorola's favor when ICS is pushed out)
Thickness and weight.
Skype supported (Photon still waiting)
ET4G Cons:
Single USB port handling HDMI and USB - needs an adapter.
Location of USB port. I would have to flip the phone upside down if I wanted to charge the phone and keep it in the cup holder.
Overall Size, a little to big (personal preference)
Sensitivity when flick scrolling web pages. There were several times were I pushed the web page up and it shot up way too fast.
The biggest thing I considered is Samsung's past track record for support. Photon will get ICS a lot sooner than ET4G, especially after seeing how fast Motorola pushed out 2 updates to the phone already.
Both are good phones, but it does seem that the Photon is aimed toward business and entertainment were the ET4G is more just for entertainment.
Photon Pros:
Kickstand
Separate Micro HDMI and USB ports
Optional Docks
Buttons are more responsive
Screen Resolution and Brightness
Motorola Support
Picture editing tools
Reception
Stock Blur interface
Dedicated camera button
Dual led flash
Sound quality
Photon Cons:
Contrast Ratio
Screen door affect. This may be resolved with an update, but it's not as bad as everyone says. Doesn't affect me. Pictures still look great.
Camera is a little blurry at times.
ET4G Pros:
Camera and FFC
Camera options
Screen colors, contrast ratio, and off axis viewing
Better Processor (This might go in Motorola's favor when ICS is pushed out)
Thickness and weight.
Skype supported (Photon still waiting)
ET4G Cons:
Single USB port handling HDMI and USB - needs an adapter.
Location of USB port. I would have to flip the phone upside down if I wanted to charge the phone and keep it in the cup holder.
Overall Size, a little to big (personal preference)
Sensitivity when flick scrolling web pages. There were several times were I pushed the web page up and it shot up way too fast.
The biggest thing I considered is Samsung's past track record for support. Photon will get ICS a lot sooner than ET4G, especially after seeing how fast Motorola pushed out 2 updates to the phone already.
Both are good phones, but it does seem that the Photon is aimed toward business and entertainment were the ET4G is more just for entertainment.
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
From what I've seen some people say the E4GT gets better signal and others say Photon. From my experience, my friend has a Photon and I have E4GT, in lower signal areas sometimes the Photon gets better signal and sometimes I get better signal depending on where. But in stronger signal areas my E4GT excels the Photon's speed every time. I'm thinking it's because the E4GT supports the new ESMR (or something like that) bands for the Sprint Network Vision and the Photon doesn't. So when this network rolls out, the EVO 3D and the E4GT will be getting better speeds than the Photon.
So-Low Da Don
Android Enthusiast
M
Member 385453
Guest
Sorry I wasn't implying it didn't have one, just the Photon seemed to have a better stock photo editor.
ghodzilla5150
Android Enthusiast
Exactly. The Radio's in the Photon arte 2nd to None and I get GREAT 3G and 4G signal. Try this: Goto Settings>Wireless&Networks>Mobile Networks>Network Mode and change from Any CDMA to Automatic and I guarantee you a better 3G and 4G reception. I could not belive the difference. I highly doubt the SGS2 has better Radio's than the Photon.
That was the setting i had when i had my photon. The only thing i noticed was it helped with roaming signals a bit. The huge thing for me is i live right in the middle of a somewhat dead zone. sprint only list the service as being fair at my adress. reading a shit ton of reviews and everyone praising the Photon so much with reception that was a factor in my purchase, But after swapping it out for the Galaxy i can say the galaxy has better reception and noticeable faster data speeds where i live.
KnowProblem
Member
Just my two cents after playing with the ET4G...
I think what most impressed me about the ET4G was its weight. It's incredibly light for its size. Felt okay in the hand. Seemed like reception was a bit less than the Photon. Speedwise, the ET4G seemed marginally faster than the Photon but both phones seem more than fast enough for just about any task. Build quality feels better on the Photon. Don't care about the launcher/software Blur vs. Touchwiz war since I use Go Launcher anyway. The ET4G's screen's colors and contrast are better, but the Photon's is sharper (and that is more important to me personally). That and the fact that the Photon has Webtop and GSM means that I definitely don't have any plans to swap my Photon for the Sammy. Maybe if the Sammy had a qHD or higher screen on it things would be different.
In any case, Sprint has two winner smartphones on its hand and no one could go wrong choosing either of these two fine devices.
BTW, I have had my Photon for about six weeks now and have not experienced any of these strange issues some have reported with their units.
I think what most impressed me about the ET4G was its weight. It's incredibly light for its size. Felt okay in the hand. Seemed like reception was a bit less than the Photon. Speedwise, the ET4G seemed marginally faster than the Photon but both phones seem more than fast enough for just about any task. Build quality feels better on the Photon. Don't care about the launcher/software Blur vs. Touchwiz war since I use Go Launcher anyway. The ET4G's screen's colors and contrast are better, but the Photon's is sharper (and that is more important to me personally). That and the fact that the Photon has Webtop and GSM means that I definitely don't have any plans to swap my Photon for the Sammy. Maybe if the Sammy had a qHD or higher screen on it things would be different.
In any case, Sprint has two winner smartphones on its hand and no one could go wrong choosing either of these two fine devices.
BTW, I have had my Photon for about six weeks now and have not experienced any of these strange issues some have reported with their units.
simcha
Android Enthusiast
Through some research I've found that this isn't true. The Photon does support EVDO Rev B as well as HPSA+. If this is a deciding factor for you if Sprint does follow through with Sprint Vision Network and rolls out EVDO Rev B, the Photon will be compatible like the ET4G.
I made a new thread for this because this rumor keeps popping up:
http://androidforums.com/motorola-photon-4g/416536-photon-evdo-rev-b-compatible.html
KnowProblem
Member
No, he's talking about ESMR which essentially means deploying CDMA on the old iDEN/Nextel bands. That's something completely different than EVDO Rev. B.
ESMR, if deployed well, could significantly enhance Sprint's network in certain places. It does not appear that the Photon has ESMR as currently configured (though quite interestingly, the Motorola Electrify does! - in lieu of WiMax apparently). That said, seeing how slowly Sprint tends to move on things, it will probably be years before ESMR is actually deployed - at which point the Photon will be an antique (in technology terms) anyway
If I was Sprint though, in this day and age, I'd probably go ahead and skip ESMR-CDMA altogether and go straight to ESMR-LTE Advanced if the FCC will let them.
I have the Photon. My son has the ET4G (I call it the "Sprint Mouthful").
I disagree that the Photon contrast ratio compared to the ET4G is a con for the Photon. The Photon has far brighter whites, and blacks are equally dark. If I look real close, I might be able to discern more detail on the ET4G in the really dark areas.
The ET4G does not have a "white" at all. Anything white is a muddy-looking green. Color in general is overly saturated. For those old enough to remember tube TV's with color adjustments, the ET4G is like the "chroma" or "color" is turned just a bit too high. Reds flare, and flesh tones take on an oddly-tanned hue. This is on the medium vibrancy setting. Someplace right in between the ET4G and the Photon (saturation-wise) would be really nice. That green tinge on the ET4G really bugs me. I don't see the screen door at all on my Photon.
Photographs look just stunning on the ET4G. The screen is just bigger enough that the portrait keyboard is better for fat thumbs. The phone is svelte and sexy, no doubt.
I took both phones outside today in the bright sun. The Photon is HANDS DOWN far more viewable in direct sunlight. I could barely see the Google Map on the ET4G, and it was clear and bright on the Photon. That dingy green cast over everything is rather annoying, but you don't really notice it if you don't have something white (like the Photon screen) next to it.
The auto-brightness on the ET4G bugs the crud outta me. It "clicks" between brightness settings, and does so frequently. The Photon seems to blend between brightness settings. I have to look really hard to even notice it. The brightness is always "just right" on the Photon.
The earpiece speaker and the loudspeaker on the ET4G are as loud as the Photon, but harder to listen to. ...more distortion and more tinny-sounding.
Touch Wiz is just plain prettier than mini-Blur. ...but mini-Blur is more functional. Changing one of the buttons at the bottom is a tedious chore on the ET4G. I had to Google it up to see how to do it. ...about 6 steps.
Text is noticeably more crisp on the Photon, especially black text on a white background.
Battery life seems to be better on the Epic.
I love how light the Epic is.
Both phones are sweet. You won't go wrong with either.
My son is loathe to let me spend too much time with his phone, but those are my early observations.
I disagree that the Photon contrast ratio compared to the ET4G is a con for the Photon. The Photon has far brighter whites, and blacks are equally dark. If I look real close, I might be able to discern more detail on the ET4G in the really dark areas.
The ET4G does not have a "white" at all. Anything white is a muddy-looking green. Color in general is overly saturated. For those old enough to remember tube TV's with color adjustments, the ET4G is like the "chroma" or "color" is turned just a bit too high. Reds flare, and flesh tones take on an oddly-tanned hue. This is on the medium vibrancy setting. Someplace right in between the ET4G and the Photon (saturation-wise) would be really nice. That green tinge on the ET4G really bugs me. I don't see the screen door at all on my Photon.
Photographs look just stunning on the ET4G. The screen is just bigger enough that the portrait keyboard is better for fat thumbs. The phone is svelte and sexy, no doubt.
I took both phones outside today in the bright sun. The Photon is HANDS DOWN far more viewable in direct sunlight. I could barely see the Google Map on the ET4G, and it was clear and bright on the Photon. That dingy green cast over everything is rather annoying, but you don't really notice it if you don't have something white (like the Photon screen) next to it.
The auto-brightness on the ET4G bugs the crud outta me. It "clicks" between brightness settings, and does so frequently. The Photon seems to blend between brightness settings. I have to look really hard to even notice it. The brightness is always "just right" on the Photon.
The earpiece speaker and the loudspeaker on the ET4G are as loud as the Photon, but harder to listen to. ...more distortion and more tinny-sounding.
Touch Wiz is just plain prettier than mini-Blur. ...but mini-Blur is more functional. Changing one of the buttons at the bottom is a tedious chore on the ET4G. I had to Google it up to see how to do it. ...about 6 steps.
Text is noticeably more crisp on the Photon, especially black text on a white background.
Battery life seems to be better on the Epic.
I love how light the Epic is.
Both phones are sweet. You won't go wrong with either.
My son is loathe to let me spend too much time with his phone, but those are my early observations.