drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Didn't buy the 3D. Tried it out for 1/2 hour in store. Was just sharing information from my experience, for those that still haven't purchased.
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
User Reviews + first impressions
- Thread starter yourfriendmat
- Start date
-
- Tags
- htc evo 3d
Didn't buy the 3D. Tried it out for 1/2 hour in store. Was just sharing information from my experience, for those that still haven't purchased.
like most apps in the background.... they are not really running and using resources.. they just sit in the back.. sleeping.. doing nothing till something triggers them to do something. if you have it set to check your location every 30 mins.. it will wakeup.. wakeup GPS, ask for location (the gps will go back to sleep).. check your setting to match or change as needed.... then it will go back to sleep in the background.
remember with android.. apps sitting in the background does not use resources.. including battery. Only when it needs to do something does android call it up from the background and give it resources to operate. then when finished, it is sent back to sleep in the background.
best suggestion to you new android users... forget the background what is there! only worry if you think some "bad" app cant properly go to sleep in the background.
momoceio
Android Expert
Very possible the store unit was defective then.
ArmageddonX
Android Expert
This is getting off-topic but it might be a possibility. I've never heard any complaint about the Evo3D's Display in 2D mode. It's indistinguishable from the Display on the Sensation when the transparent parallax barrier is inactive. Several reviews & articles have compared the two HTC phones and mentioned this point.
I'm not going to discuss people's perception of the Display as that is a subjective matter. Just as with AMOLED screens, some people just don't prefer it & some people love it. If somebody prefers a Pentile Matrix over a RGB or one display over another for any reason; That is their prerogative.
I can speak personally to my own experience that in-store directly next to each other I couldn't detect even the slightest difference between the Displays of the HTC Sensation and the HTC Evo3D.
JunBringer
Android Expert
Effing love this thing! Love the build quality and how it feels in my hand. Very solid. I'm still using the stock keyboard and stock sms app because they feel really nice. I really enjoy playing with this phone constantly!
My brother just upgraded from a pre.. This was my first time to see one up close.
I must say it looks a lot better in person. Feels great in the hand.. Looks smaller than the EVO.
But from what I have read.. The 3D effects only works in landscape.
I only tried it with pics.. That came with the phone. In portrait.. I can see the 3D effects
I must say it looks a lot better in person. Feels great in the hand.. Looks smaller than the EVO.
But from what I have read.. The 3D effects only works in landscape.
I only tried it with pics.. That came with the phone. In portrait.. I can see the 3D effects
linzgeneral
Well-Known Member
I thought that the Sensation might have slightly brighter colors. I hope not but I seem to remember the colors popping a little more than on the 3D.
cyaiphone
Android Enthusiast
I bought the Nexus S 4G and so far I like it, but want to see if I should maybe take it back and get the 3D. I had the Evo and loved it! Now i'm deciding whether to go back to the evo (for the custom roms) or get the evo 3d. I've read alot of mixed reviews on the 3D so I wan't to hear first hand from you guys.
Are you happy with the upgrade? Does it feel like you "upgraded" from the evo?
How's battery?
any issues?
any perks to sense 3.0 (that you can't get via custom rom on evo)
I only have one upgrade every 2 years so I want to make sure I get something I'm going to be happy with. Not sure if I should go with 3D or wait a few more months for something new.
Are you happy with the upgrade? Does it feel like you "upgraded" from the evo?
How's battery?
any issues?
any perks to sense 3.0 (that you can't get via custom rom on evo)
I only have one upgrade every 2 years so I want to make sure I get something I'm going to be happy with. Not sure if I should go with 3D or wait a few more months for something new.
JunBringer
Android Expert
I'm very happy. It's a huuuuge upgrade IMO. People are getting really good battery life from what I'm reading on here, but mine isn't quite where I want it to be yet. I'm still fiddling around with it though. Also you'll probably have plenty of custom ROMs on the 3D as I've read lots of devs are getting it.
cyaiphone
Android Enthusiast
Thanks bud!
Best phone I bought to date, I had the Hero and choose not to upgrade to the EVO 4G I wanted to wait and I am glad I did, I do not care for the 3D but the phone flies and is very responsive.No matter how many threads you read you will hear pros and cons, we cannot make everyone happy, each have their own needs. I must say I am very happy with the purchase
cyaiphone
Android Enthusiast
LOL i hope you would be happy! Going from the Hero to the 3d is like going from a civic to v8 camero
MrSerbious
Lurker
I'm on the fence. My battle life is soso. While in a fairly heavy user, I also practice minimal battle useage ie: screen brightness WiFi off when not in use etc etc. . 3g radio issue may be affecting my phone but since I haven't called and had it verified, hard to tell. I've had multiple random reboots. Google talk works when I wants it seems. Light leak at bottom if screen. But when it is working, OMG I LIVE IT! Now its just making sure it works right all the time. Haven't quite hut buyers remorse yet being I'm an early adopter. It'd be silly of me not to expect bugs or issues. If a update is rolled out that adresses the known issues ill be %199 happy. But would be lying if I didn't say bring it back has been a thought a few times already. So, I'm %71 feel its an upgrade? Hioe this helps.
Actually I enjoyed my Hero and had very little issues with it because it was rooted.
MrSerbious
Lurker
my fat fingers on a touch screen screen should show and say something about its accuraccy LOL...leaving the typos as they stand.
i'm still undecided, i have considered trading for a nexus s
with my evo 4g on weekends and weekdays both i would typically be down to 20% or less by 9pm
my 3d on weekends seems to do way better, i think it was around 35% around midnight last night, but on weekdays when i'm at work it drains like crazy. but work is where i have been experiencing the most connectivity problems. typical weekday so far my phone will be 10% or less by 8pm
also i have noticed if you are playing a game it seems to drain the battery faster than the evo 4g did
It is snappy, but not as snappy as the nexus s.
there are some nice things with sense 3.0. when you are selecting ring tones, you can see what htc has for new ones and download them right there in sense, same with themes and wall papers. there is also a feature to track your phone through htc's website, and you can make it ring in case you lost it. there is a built in task manager, but it doesn't show everything that is running, just apps.
i don't like the carousal, i find it annoying.
the external speaker sucks
i've had the stock camera app freeze on me a few times, as well as the gallery app
i'm still undecided, i know a lot of the issues will be fixed with software upgrades
with my evo 4g on weekends and weekdays both i would typically be down to 20% or less by 9pm
my 3d on weekends seems to do way better, i think it was around 35% around midnight last night, but on weekdays when i'm at work it drains like crazy. but work is where i have been experiencing the most connectivity problems. typical weekday so far my phone will be 10% or less by 8pm
also i have noticed if you are playing a game it seems to drain the battery faster than the evo 4g did
It is snappy, but not as snappy as the nexus s.
there are some nice things with sense 3.0. when you are selecting ring tones, you can see what htc has for new ones and download them right there in sense, same with themes and wall papers. there is also a feature to track your phone through htc's website, and you can make it ring in case you lost it. there is a built in task manager, but it doesn't show everything that is running, just apps.
i don't like the carousal, i find it annoying.
the external speaker sucks
i've had the stock camera app freeze on me a few times, as well as the gallery app
i'm still undecided, i know a lot of the issues will be fixed with software upgrades
I'm happy, it's an upgrade, the battery lasts very long (can go for more than a half-day (12 hours) just idling connections on Talk and Skype with power to spare and minimal config nonsense).
Lots of small issues that I'd expect will taken care of by the first major update.
The new Calendar is hosed as is the new News, compared to the Sense 1 versions. The browser isn't delivering on all Sense 2.1 promises and has the idiosyncrasies of the latest webkit it's based on.
Really liking Sense 3, but what _you_ want in a rom - well, you know. Flipz already has a Fresh 3vo rom ready for when full root hits. Personally, I find Sense 3 a huge step forward in a number of ways, so 3 forward and 1.5 or 2 back on that one.
It's a tough call. The new SGS2 and Moto Photon are really poised to perform in this class.
Then again, you know: HTC, dev community, etc, etc.
TheHoodedClaw
Well-Known Member
Summary: I am quite happy with my 3D. It isn't as magical an upgrade as my 4G was, but I am happy and keeping the new phone. It is generally better and smoother and I like most of the numerous updates to Sense, though I could leave the carousel.
I used a 3500 mA extended battery on my 4G, so naturally battery life on the new phone seems short, but it is good enough.
Nits include that call quality is inferior. There appears to be a a fix available, I'm letting other folks take the plunge before I try it. Many calls are okay, but sometimes my reception is bad. I can live with it temporarily, but if I believed this couldn't or wouldn't be fixed, I'd consider returning the phone.
The stuff you hear about the external speaker being weak is true.
Unless the fix to call quality fails, I am keeping the new phone. Only thing that might exceed it that is at all close is the Galaxy S2, and we don't know when or if that will come to Sprint, if it will have 4G, if Sprint will saddle it with a physical keyboard, or if Samsung will support it.
This way I am enjoying a new phone now, and I have started the clock to upgrade to the next new phone in June 2012!
I used a 3500 mA extended battery on my 4G, so naturally battery life on the new phone seems short, but it is good enough.
Nits include that call quality is inferior. There appears to be a a fix available, I'm letting other folks take the plunge before I try it. Many calls are okay, but sometimes my reception is bad. I can live with it temporarily, but if I believed this couldn't or wouldn't be fixed, I'd consider returning the phone.
The stuff you hear about the external speaker being weak is true.
Unless the fix to call quality fails, I am keeping the new phone. Only thing that might exceed it that is at all close is the Galaxy S2, and we don't know when or if that will come to Sprint, if it will have 4G, if Sprint will saddle it with a physical keyboard, or if Samsung will support it.
This way I am enjoying a new phone now, and I have started the clock to upgrade to the next new phone in June 2012!
TheHoodedClaw
Well-Known Member
Incidentally I have only turned on the 3D features once, to satisfy a curious friend. I am not in this for the 3D!
Pros:
Coming from the Hero, yeah, it's a serious upgrade. It's super-speedy, no performance issues whatsoever. The screen is great, the software is great, the experience of using the thing is great. The configurable lockscreen is practically worth the upgrade all by itself. I have some minor quibbles with Sense 3.0 (would love to turn off the carousel and the page-to-page scrolling in the app drawer, for instance), but those are sure to be easily addressed once permanent root is established. No problems with call quality. Speakerphone's not super-loud, but is certainly adequate in most circumstances.
Cons:
Coming from the Hero, this thing is big! Heavy, too. This wouldn't be that big a deal, except that the clear plastic sheet over the camera lenses is not recessed at all, meaning you WILL scratch it (ruining the cameras, basically, since that plastic sheet isn't replaceable) if you don't make the phone even bigger and heavier by adding a protective case. I'm still struggling to find one that covers the lens area without making the phone feel like a gigantic slab in my pocket.
Coming from the Hero, yeah, it's a serious upgrade. It's super-speedy, no performance issues whatsoever. The screen is great, the software is great, the experience of using the thing is great. The configurable lockscreen is practically worth the upgrade all by itself. I have some minor quibbles with Sense 3.0 (would love to turn off the carousel and the page-to-page scrolling in the app drawer, for instance), but those are sure to be easily addressed once permanent root is established. No problems with call quality. Speakerphone's not super-loud, but is certainly adequate in most circumstances.
Cons:
Coming from the Hero, this thing is big! Heavy, too. This wouldn't be that big a deal, except that the clear plastic sheet over the camera lenses is not recessed at all, meaning you WILL scratch it (ruining the cameras, basically, since that plastic sheet isn't replaceable) if you don't make the phone even bigger and heavier by adding a protective case. I'm still struggling to find one that covers the lens area without making the phone feel like a gigantic slab in my pocket.
Depends on what kind of user you are
I traded my Nexus S for this and am EXTREMELY happy with my decision.
I had CM7 on the Nexus S AND had it overclocked to 1.3 Ghz and it still was nowhere near the 3vo in performance.
Nexus S has better form factor and prettier screen though.
So if you're a power user then you'll want to stick to the 3vo, if you just want a very nice enjoyable phone, get the Nexus S
Androidalltheway
Android Enthusiast
Overall I am very happy with this phone, I think HTC kncoked it out of the park with the software and hardware, but got lazy with the radio in the phone, reception remains inconsistent, and had to dlownload equalizer to raise volume for my ringtones, seems to make a big difference, too bad Sprint did such a crappy job about promoting this phone, nobody knows about it unless your a phone geek, the general public are clueless, and thats a shame, had they called the phone EVO 2, or EVO plus, maybe they could have marketed it better, but I think a lot of people who even hear about it dismiss it because they don't want 3d, even though the phone is so much more, EVO plus would have been good
