Spec me a smart phone, bitches

Post by **Dog Pants** » December 4th, 2010, 13:26

Pretty sure we've had this topic before, but technology moves on and there's loads of these things out now.

They look pretty handy, and so I'm thinking of jumping on the bandwagon. Thing is, I've never really been impressed by the iPhone, but I've heard the Windows phone isn't that great either. The rest I know nothing about. I'm not a phone nerd - I want to make calls, text, play a few nice little games, and browse the odd website if it isn't expensive. I'm really not fussy, but as I said I'm not a phone nerd so I don't care about getting the OMG L33T best phone on the market, just the right one for me. I suspect already this may be an iPhone, and I'm okay with that.

Currently I'm on a £30 contract with O2, and my time is up. I'd rather stay with O2 really because Mrs Pants is with them (so cheaper calls), and I've found them to be pretty good. This may sting me for not getting the new customer bonus though. I don't mind paying a bit for a half decent phone, since it's Christmas and I might have little cash.

Anyone know about phones then?

Shada · Post by **Shada** » December 4th, 2010, 15:41

For what you want pretty much any smartphone should do, but I say avoid iphones unless you like overpriced restrictive wank, and avoid Blackberry as while they're usually cheaper and sturdier they tend to have smaller screens and not so great application support.

Basically get any HTC Android phone. The Desire HD is new but probably a bit much for what you need, so check out the regular Desire, Legend or slightly older Hero

Post by **HereComesPete** » December 4th, 2010, 16:10

I just going to list a few good ones (imo)

i4 - amazing screen, better internet, highly publicised problems that haven't dented it's sales, camera with flash, itunes, app for just about everything ever, free bumper thing so you can actually get reception, costs a lot.

N900 - slidy keyboard (quite marmite these), uses their own linux based os, very hd camera, fast, sturdy, good screen.

N8 - still on symbian, does most things a bit faster than the N900, no slidy keyboard. Huge camera.

HD7 - new windows 7 os, 16gb of storage, very new so I can't really give the down low on this. Big ass screen.

Optimus 7, looks rather good, uses win os7, has some kind of browser where you point it at the sky and it'll bring up a weather report or somesuch. Usually I'll slate lg but they look to have made the best 7 phone.

Desire - best android on the market, fast, good screen, lots of apps, mediocre battery life.

Desire HD - 4.3 instead of 3.8 screen, the battery is fucked by that extra screen but if you don't give a shit about charging every day then it's more screen for watching porn on.

Personally I'd call it a two horse race - the HTC desire and the Apple i4, they're the most complete packages right now. Close behind if you want winmob 7 is the lg optimus 7.

Post by **deject** » December 4th, 2010, 16:59

Get one wth a Super AMOLED screen. Once you see one, no lame ass LCD screen will do.

I am looking at getting the Samsung Focus when my contract is up. The screen gives me a technoboner.

I also prefer Windows Phone 7 over Andriod. Android just seems wrong when I use it.

Akiakaiu · Post by **Akiakaiu** » December 4th, 2010, 17:07

I love my HTC Aria, it's a fun little phone. Battery does go fast for me as I have to charge it 2x a day, but I'm listening to Pandora Radio or mp3s on it all the time and making 600 texts a day. If I don't do that the battery would last all day. It's the music at max volume that kills it I think.

Only other problem I have is some flash stuff is not supported, or it is by an app I haven't bothered to look for. Oh, and there is not a CrunchyRoll app for android yet, hurry up CR.

Post by **Dog Pants** » December 4th, 2010, 17:45

Looking at the available upgrades I'm going to be using this phone for 2 years until my contract's up, which is a bit sucky but I've been with O2 for about 8 years so it's not too bad.

The HTC desire is £90 and seems nice, doesn't have a swanky new screen but I can probably live with that.
The i4 is on a completely seperate contract that I'm struggling to even find, so I'll probably not go for that.
The Samsung Focus isn't available from O2, neither are any LGs.
The HD7 is £160, and while I like the idea of having Windows on my phone I'm not bothered enough to pay double for it. However, if I can afford it and it'll keep me happier for 2 years then it's worth considering.

So it's looking like the HTC Desire is the front runner at the moment, which I vaguely recall hearing people praise before. There's an HTC HD Mini for a free upgrade, but I'm guessing the word 'Mini' really means 'Shit'.

Post by **deject** » December 4th, 2010, 18:10

Dog Pants wrote:Looking at the available upgrades I'm going to be using this phone for 2 years until my contract's up, which is a bit sucky but I've been with O2 for about 8 years so it's not too bad.

The HTC desire is £90 and seems nice, doesn't have a swanky new screen but I can probably live with that.
The i4 is on a completely seperate contract that I'm struggling to even find, so I'll probably not go for that.
The Samsung Focus isn't available from O2, neither are any LGs.
The HD7 is £160, and while I like the idea of having Windows on my phone I'm not bothered enough to pay double for it. However, if I can afford it and it'll keep me happier for 2 years then it's worth considering.

So it's looking like the HTC Desire is the front runner at the moment, which I vaguely recall hearing people praise before. There's an HTC HD Mini for a free upgrade, but I'm guessing the word 'Mini' really means 'Shit'.

I'm not sure how much you know about WP7, but it's a drastic departure from Windows Mobile. It's like Zune, but as a phone. It looks quite slick. I am not sure how the HD7 compares to other smartphones over there in the UK though. We're not getting it here.

Thompy · Post by **Thompy** » December 4th, 2010, 18:15

I think the consensus around the HD7 was that it's WP7 slapped onto a device originally made for Android. Not that it's a bad phone, far from it, but it has some shortcomings that might not be present on future phones from HTC made specifically for WP7.

Also worth noting that Desire HD, while having a bigger screen, has the same resolution (better quality pixels? can't remember). So unless you're half blind, probably not that important.

Post by **HereComesPete** » December 4th, 2010, 18:16

Yup, the mini is a bit shit.

The iphones at o2 have their own special links.

WP7 is looking like it might actually be really good, I went in the 02 store nearby t other day and pushed a few buttons on the hd7, seemed okay but of couse I'd need to trial it fr a lot longer.

I'm getting a bit annoyed at 6.5 on my hd and I've got another 10 months on the contract.

Post by **Dog Pants** » December 4th, 2010, 18:49

HereComesPete wrote:I'm getting a bit annoyed at 6.5 on my hd and I've got another 10 months on the contract.

I'm concerned about this myself. I'd rather spend double on a phone I'll be happy with for the 2 year duration of the contract rather than one I'll be regretting getting after 6 months. On the other hand, as long as it does phone stuff anything else is a bonus. Sat-nav, intercocks and Angry Birds will no doubt keep me happy for years, since I've only just decided that the whole Smart Phone thing is a good idea.

Chickenz · Post by **Chickenz** » December 4th, 2010, 19:50

I've got a Galaxy S and it's been great so far. Does everything my old 3GS did but with a lot less dicking about.

Drag and Drop videos for a start as well as a good ebook reader and fancy big screen.

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » December 5th, 2010, 9:59

I'd say go for a HTC Desire or some other new-ish Android based phone that's received good reviews. I was considering the Desire before I got an iPhone 4. I won't recommend an iPhone as you have to open your heart to Apple to get the most out of it. I'm already committed and under their control.

(It is a quality, easy to use and reliable device though)

The Dell Streak looks nice but perhaps a bit immature, as is Win7 Mobile. Go for something with a bit more heritage: a HTC with Android.

Wiggy · Post by **Wiggy** » December 5th, 2010, 10:20

spoodie wrote:I won't recommend an iPhone as you have to open your heart to Apple to get the most out of it.

heart wallet

I'll agree that it's easy to use though, I've had a 3GS for about a year and it's the nicest phone I've had.

Post by **Dog Pants** » December 21st, 2010, 21:41

Well now, a few days ago I checked again and both the Desire and HD7 were free with a £35 tariff. I went into an O2 shop today and the bloke had me sold on a business tariff for the same thing but with an option to change handsets after a year. Thing was he wanted me to cancel my old contract and start a new one with a new number, even encouraging me to lie to the phone bod to try to stop them talking me out of it. As it happens they didn't have the handset so I was going to go in again tomorrow.

However, the fact he wanted me to lie to his own company made me suspicious, and checking online again it turns out I can now get the HD7 for free for the same monthly payment I'm on now, with a bonus 500mb of interwebs.

So that was me sold. I had a play with the one in the shop and it seemed quite nice, apart from my fingers being a bit too fat for the menus in Guitar Hero. Since I doubt that comes as standard though, and I'll not be buying it, I don't really mind. Wonder how long it'll take to get here...