They're not pimping the Maxx because they've got a shit ton of purple and white RAZRs to move at a $199.99 price point. Frankly, the $100 for the extended battery would be totally worth it.
4G Android phone megathread
- Thread starter Foulkey Reese
- Start date
What will be better?
I know of no phone in the pipeline with a similar battery, so I'm taking that into account.
It all depends on how badly they Motor-Blur over ICS imo. Pure ICS is a wonderful, wonderful thing.
And yea, if the Maxx had ICS and maybe an unlocked boot-loader it would be the best phone on the market right now.
As far as Android phones are concerned, how?
Sure, HTC will be dropping their ICS flagship with a supposed quad-core, but... How the hell will any application developed for Android make use of 4 cores? Shit... Even the iPad 3 is already scaling back the rumors of having a quad core chip, most likely a over clocked 2 core A6 chip. And it's not like it'll be a stock Android device, either.
The SGSIII variants will be more powerful, but they probably aren't landing on US carriers for another 6 to 8 months. HTC has already stated they are going to scale back their product portfolio going forward seeing as though they are losing money at the pace that they were iterating. Same goes for Motorola's product selection.
The only phone that would be better would be a GNex, but even with an extended battery you come up with a device that is 1100 MAH short of the Maxx, and probably not as thin. Not to mention that I'd take the camera on the Maxx over the GNex any day of the week.
Anybody see this guy using a Galaxy Nexus as a desktop computer replacement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_--zcmqIyRI
I'm not sure if there is any good reason to do this beyond showing that it is possible, but it is pretty cool. Anyone know if the Nexus is actually powerful enough to do the stuff you would typically do with a desktop?
Would this be hard to set up?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_--zcmqIyRI
I'm not sure if there is any good reason to do this beyond showing that it is possible, but it is pretty cool. Anyone know if the Nexus is actually powerful enough to do the stuff you would typically do with a desktop?
Would this be hard to set up?
I don't get the hubbub over the battery. BFD. If you have a smartphone, you plug it in every night. Is that such a big deal?
I have the extended battery for the Nexus (which as you know doesn't make it much bigger), and I have yet to have the battery die. Most of the time, the only time I charge it is before I go to bed at night.
I have the extended battery for the Nexus (which as you know doesn't make it much bigger), and I have yet to have the battery die. Most of the time, the only time I charge it is before I go to bed at night.
Do you have everything running in the background at the same time?
The ability to have twitter, facebook, etc syncing constantly, plus being able to use GPS and other battery-draining applications for an extended period of time and know I won't be completely screwed towards the end of the day is enormous.
We've been trained to scale back the way we use our phones, IMO. The Maxx gives us the ability to allow the phone to live up to it's full potential for 24 hours at a time.
But, with all things, to each their own.
When I use GPS, I'm in my car. The phone plugs into a ProClips mount that charges it while it's in the car. Does no one else do this?
I'm in the 'I have no idea why everyone has a hard on for a battery' camp. I have usb cords at my office, home office, and bedroom and the aforementioned ProClip in my car. I don't care at all about battery life. And am certainly not going to compromise on a shitty screen for it.
It's called a mobile phone. Having it constantly plugged in via usb doesn't exactly scream "mobile" to me.
ha, I used to do that too, but not since I got the MAXX. It used to be the first thing I would do when I got to the office.I just bought a pro clip, and saved $20 because I didn't have to get the attached charger.last year, I couldn't even get through a full trip to Fenway on a single charge. Granted, it was a Thunderbolt, but now I don't have to think about turning off GPS, wifi, etc, much less about not having access to my phone by the 8th inning.
That's pretty dumb.
If I'm in my car, I'm using the phone on a mount anyway, so what's the big deal with plugging it in? I'm in my car an hour each way to work; it is generally fully charged when I get out.
If I'm at work, sitting at my desk with a laptop and/or a power strip at my desk, how am I compromising my enjoyment of the phone by having it plugged in? I'm not using the phone that much in the office; pretty much when I go to lunch and when I leave a shit.
On the weekends, when I spend most of the time unplugged, I generally go from the time I wake up until the time I put it back on the charger at night. Only exception is if I'm in the car I'll plug it in...because as noted earlier; why not?
Not having a car doesn't exactly scream 'moblile' to me!!
Just bustin ur balls. Obviously, battery life is going to be a different priority to different users.
There is a LOT of threading going on in your typical Android device... not to mention apps running in the background, etc. Do most apps require quad-core? Of course not. But you're going to get higher quality games from real (not social) gaming companies and faster processor-intensive apps (like video editing). Will most users notice the difference between dual core and quad core? As with most high-end performance features, probably not, but it's crazy to think that quad core won't be of at least some help.
The Galaxy Nexus would have been a top-of-the-line desktop in 2005. So it's definitely powerful enough to do the things most people do with a desktop. Video editing is a breeze. Netflix over 4G delivers some pretty high quality video. The big gap is in apps, and when mobile apps will be able to catch up to their full-featured desktop predecessors.
Setup is probably just bluetooth keyboard and Micro-USB-to-HDMI out.
I'm with you most of the way, except here.
I live in NYC, so spend the entirety of any commuting I do without a car, and to that end a charger. It's subways, buses, or walking. Especially when running errands after work- it's not like I'm driving to the supermarket etc etc after work, so I could be anywhere from 1-5 hours without a charge.
And in my Android/smartphone experience, the tendencies of one of these phones to bleed out instantly and without my realizing it is high. If I forget in my early AM stupor on the L-train to click over to airport mode or if my phone decides to inadvertently fire up Maps or Facebook or Tweetcaster while in my pocket and start freelance data trolling, it juices ridiculously fast.
I finally pulled Facebook and Tiny LED off because they were such swift battery killers. And I don't stream music, and don't play many games on it outside of Angry Bird updates ever.
For me, the uber-battery on the Maxx is its prime selling point when I re-up in April. [currently: Incredible phone]
That may be the case, but I'm not sure that Android will ever be able to seriously compete on the gaming front. I try and play Fruit Ninja on my Razr Maxx compared to my iPhone and it's night and day. The iPhone is way smoother, whether it's in regards to touch input or frame rate. I notice this across the board between games that are available on the iPhone and Android. Doodle Jump is another one. It just does not play as well as it's iPhone counterpart. I can't speak on more heavy duty games, but I would be shocked if Android could replicate the experience with Dead Space etc. that I've had on iOS.
Edit: When I say I don't think they will compete, I mean it doesn't have to do with number of cores or what the processor is clocked at. The iPhone 4 plays these games perfectly fine with a single core processor. I don't know a lot about coding, but it seems like the Android source code needs to be cleaned up a bit in order to reduce some of the lag that's just inherently born in to the OS. Even playing with the GNex at a Verizon store when I purchased my Droid Razr, I noticed typical Android lag when scrolling between screens. My hope is that with the next version of Android, Matias will have cleaned it all up.
One advantage iOS has is that all their games run on the same graphics core, where android uses at least 3 different graphics architectures ( imagination, Mali/arm and nvidia).
I'm not sure what the other quad cores are going to do, but Marvell makes a tri core that has one of the cores dedicated to the operating system that only runs at 500mhz, and the 2 1g cores only turn on when needed, in theory saving a lot of power.
I'm not sure what the other quad cores are going to do, but Marvell makes a tri core that has one of the cores dedicated to the operating system that only runs at 500mhz, and the 2 1g cores only turn on when needed, in theory saving a lot of power.
I picked up the Droid 4 yesterday. It is fantastic, the screen is beautiful and the phone is blazing fast. The 4G makes this phone almost like a computer.(for the first time, the thought of surfing the internet on my phone doesn't give me hives because it's actually not slow) And I can't say enough about the keyboard, it is awesome. Having the number row is quite a treat. This is a damn good phone, if you're into having a real keyboard like I am, the Droid 4 is for you. Just awesome, i can't put it down and have been playing with it all day.
I'm surprised you think the screen is so good. My understanding is it's a TFT LCD, and has the same washed out effect the Droid X does, but at a higher resolution. (You don't really notice the difference until you see an AMOLED variant.)
I'm coming from a Droid 2, so the screen looks like it's ultra hi def. And I don't really care that much about the screen, although I streamed a TV show on Netflix on the phone and it looks fantastic. It's the keyboard I love and it is pretty amazing. I don't see the screen as washed out at all, although I assume I would if I saw an AMOLED screen.
Just installed a rom with ICS 4.04; supposedly provides killer battery life for Nexus.
I pretty much have this thing rooted stock, except for the following changes:
1. A fix to remove the non-moving search bar that takes up a whole row
2. A modification that replaces the program switcher button with a search button (and restores the long-press of home for a program switcher)
3. A modification that supposedly allows tethering without having to add the VZW tethering plan
I'll report back on battery life in a couple of days.
I pretty much have this thing rooted stock, except for the following changes:
1. A fix to remove the non-moving search bar that takes up a whole row
2. A modification that replaces the program switcher button with a search button (and restores the long-press of home for a program switcher)
3. A modification that supposedly allows tethering without having to add the VZW tethering plan
I'll report back on battery life in a couple of days.
This is a big part of why I picked the Nexus over the Razr back in December. It's mid February and they don't even have a projected date for an ICS upgrade yet.
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/02/15/motorola-releases-initial-ice-cream-sandwich-update-timeline-droid-razr-razr-maxx-bionic-and-droid-4-still-being-evaluated/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/02/15/motorola-releases-initial-ice-cream-sandwich-update-timeline-droid-razr-razr-maxx-bionic-and-droid-4-still-being-evaluated/
Off the charger now for 8 hours; battery is at 40%.
However, the main reason I always plug in my phone at work is that in my office, there is ZERO cell signal...so the battery gets chewed up while the phone searches for signal. Cell standby is what is crushing the phone.
Foulkey; here is a screenshot of the custom menu buttons (and the lack of search bar)
However, the main reason I always plug in my phone at work is that in my office, there is ZERO cell signal...so the battery gets chewed up while the phone searches for signal. Cell standby is what is crushing the phone.
Foulkey; here is a screenshot of the custom menu buttons (and the lack of search bar)
The rom is essentially rooted stock 4.04
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1481613
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/remove-search-bar-in-ics-on-google-nexus-enable-4x5-portrait-grid/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1481613
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/remove-search-bar-in-ics-on-google-nexus-enable-4x5-portrait-grid/
So, I've got a decision to make and would welcome any input or advice. (you can skip to the bold questions if too long)
Backstory: I've had a Bionic since October. First one developed problems with losing data connection and headphone jack issues. Verizon sent me a replacement, a refurb Bionic. I've had a few data connection issues, though not as bad as the first one, and if anything, worse headphone jack issues. Verizon told me about a week ago that there was going to be an update, and I wanted to see if that would help before I got another phone I had to set up. They told me at the time I could get a refurb Razr as a replacement if I did decide to give up on this device. I got the update over the weekend and it did not solve the jack issue and I have had a data connection problem since as well.
I'm done with this phone. I did not ask the rep. last time if I could get something other than a refurb. Razr, as I wanted to not be too agressive on that front at that point. I think they want to keep me with Motorola for warranty reasons and at the same price point, hence the Razr, and not the Maxx or a Nexus Galaxy.
Questions: What phone should I get? I will most likely ask for a Razr Maxx. I like the Bionic (when it works) and would also like the Maxx. My major concern is that I'm not sure Motorola has solved the headphone jack issue (I've seen some reports of the same problem with the Razr.) I would also be happy with the Nexus Galaxy. I looked at the Razr/Maxx/NG in the store, so I have a handle on the feel of these phones. I'm not planning to root and I'm fine with Gingerbread (I'm not saying ICS is not better, just that I'm fine with what I know.) If Verizon won't send me a Maxx, should I take the Razr? (I usually make it through the day with my Bionic's battery and have charges home/car/office, so that could still work for me.) Should I insist on the GN? Should I insist on new, not refurb?
Thanks
Backstory: I've had a Bionic since October. First one developed problems with losing data connection and headphone jack issues. Verizon sent me a replacement, a refurb Bionic. I've had a few data connection issues, though not as bad as the first one, and if anything, worse headphone jack issues. Verizon told me about a week ago that there was going to be an update, and I wanted to see if that would help before I got another phone I had to set up. They told me at the time I could get a refurb Razr as a replacement if I did decide to give up on this device. I got the update over the weekend and it did not solve the jack issue and I have had a data connection problem since as well.
I'm done with this phone. I did not ask the rep. last time if I could get something other than a refurb. Razr, as I wanted to not be too agressive on that front at that point. I think they want to keep me with Motorola for warranty reasons and at the same price point, hence the Razr, and not the Maxx or a Nexus Galaxy.
Questions: What phone should I get? I will most likely ask for a Razr Maxx. I like the Bionic (when it works) and would also like the Maxx. My major concern is that I'm not sure Motorola has solved the headphone jack issue (I've seen some reports of the same problem with the Razr.) I would also be happy with the Nexus Galaxy. I looked at the Razr/Maxx/NG in the store, so I have a handle on the feel of these phones. I'm not planning to root and I'm fine with Gingerbread (I'm not saying ICS is not better, just that I'm fine with what I know.) If Verizon won't send me a Maxx, should I take the Razr? (I usually make it through the day with my Bionic's battery and have charges home/car/office, so that could still work for me.) Should I insist on the GN? Should I insist on new, not refurb?
Thanks
I'd be surprised if you could win the battle of new vs. refurbished. Verizon seems pretty set in their ways of handling replacement devices from my experience. If you were going to try and put up an argument, I'd go with a story of having such a terrible experience with the Bionic that you have no faith in any Motorola products, in order to hopefully get a refurbished Nexus.
I had the same problem as you, and insisted on something other than a Motorola phone because I couldn't be certain that they weren't plagued with the same data connection problems as the Bionic. I got them to swap the Bionic for a Rezound. It was refurbished, but I've had no issues with it.
I don't think you'll get very far insisting on new; they'll tell you to deal directly with Motorola. I ended up with a higher level tech support guy who worked directly with me once I got in contact with him (gave me his cell to txt him directly).
The Nexus wasn't out yet when I did this; so you might get lucky and get them to send you a refurb Nexus. Although they may not HAVE any yet; I broke the screen on my Nexus and the insurance replacement was another brand new one in the retail box. I absolutely love the Nexus; have had ZERO problems with it.
I set it up; but I keep forgetting to use it. Only place I ever see it is CVS and Rite Aid; if I remember I'll try it at lunch today.
So I checked out the Galaxy Nexus and the Razr Maxx at 2 different verizon stores. Both stores gave me the same conclusion (validating everything I've read about, too) -- The Galaxy Nexus screen and responsiveness from screen to screen is way better, but the Maxx's 4g speed connection in the same location is so much better. (in mansfield it was 13 to 1.5 download, and in downtown crossing it was 12 to 3.) Also in checking it out, my house is in an "extended coverage area" which from everything I've read means 4G ain't gonna work anyhow at home.
Does this all gibe with your experiences, and does this mean I should get the GN since I wont get good speed in either case? Or should I hold on to my increasingly slow N1 for a while and wait for the next big thing?
Does this all gibe with your experiences, and does this mean I should get the GN since I wont get good speed in either case? Or should I hold on to my increasingly slow N1 for a while and wait for the next big thing?
How does this phone stack up to the Galaxy Nexus?
HTC‘s One X/Edge/Endeavor flagship continues to spill its secrets ahead of its expected MWC 2012 debut, with the Android smartphone tipped to do the impossible and deliver a super-slim handset that’s still has premium construction. While HTC’s rivals have flirted with thin designs, such as the Galaxy S II and the DROID RAZR, the HTC One X is going to show them how to do it properly, according to Modaco‘s sources, being both slimline and delivering HTC’s traditional quality. Plenty more details after the cut.
The touch-sensitive buttons shown on the old leaked render above have apparently been removed for the production One X, with Ice Cream Sandwich’s on-screen controls taking pride of place instead, and leaving the power and volume keys the only remaining physical buttons. A green/amber notification light and Beats Audio integration are also tipped, with support for an external speaker-bar thanks to pin-contacts. That accessory was leaked earlier this week, along with talk of a Spotify-rivaling streaming music service.
Inside, there’s a Tegra 3 quadcore with 1GB of RAM and at least 32GB of storage space; useful as, like the Galaxy Nexus, the HTC One X isn’t expected to have a microSD card slot. However HTC is believed to have cooked up its own Mass Storage Mode support, not something native to ICS. WiFi a/b/g/n (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, an FM radio and NFC are also baked in, with support for up to 21Mbps downloads and 5.76Mbps uploads, network depending.
The display is a 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD panel, topped with a 1.3-megapixel front camera, and an 8-megapixel camera with back-illuminated sensor can shoot 1080p HD video and use the dual microphones for stereo sound. An 1,800 mAh battery and micro SIM slot round out the main hardware.
Exciting stuff, and certainly a return to premium hardware form for HTC. The company will need to demonstrate is has the ecosystem of services and features to really convince us it’s back up to speed, but we’re definitely keen to see the One X in person when we head to MWC at the end of the month.
Boot-loader unlocked, rooting as we speak. Nice and painless.
So I downloaded a ROM called "Codename Android" and good god is it fast. We'll see how it does with battery life, but the phone just flies now.
It does work; added bonus when you activate the Google Prepaid Card (your only choices are that and a Citibank mastercard), you get $10 for free.
PSF and Three10toLeft, Thanks for your responses.
Verizon is sending me a Nexus. Should have it in a few days. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Verizon is sending me a Nexus. Should have it in a few days. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I am up or an upgrade in July. And the early contender is..........
Samsung Galaxy SIII
Samsung Galaxy SIII
- 1.5GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor
- 4.8-inch “full HD” 1080p resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio display
- A 2-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera
- Ceramic case
- 4G LTE
- Android 4.0
Thats basically the design I'm hoping for with the iPhone 5, I am really wondering how it will work without the bezel on it. If you're holding the phone how many accidental touches are going to occur, is there enough to hold it for most games? I'm hoping its good because it really maximizing the size of the screen and not making a huge device.
I would be worried about the battery life on the new quad cores phones, but damn, that looks amazing.
Foulkey (and other Nexus/ICS owners): Tried and LOVE the Nova launcher. Liked it so much I got the paid version.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS50ZXNsYWNvaWxzdy5sYXVuY2hlciJd
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS50ZXNsYWNvaWxzdy5sYXVuY2hlciJd
Yea I purchased that a few days ago. The customizable gestures are awesome, and I love the "accordion mode" screen transition effect. Super smooth.
I was disappointed that the HTC One X looks headed to AT&T, but the Galaxy SIII could cure my disappointment.
That phone looks cool. I almost pulled the trigger on a Galaxy note today. It's pretty frickin' huge.
The Galaxy SII is a sweet phone, that SIII looks incredible.
Just a note of caution regarding the release - The rest of the world got the SII sometime in March/April of 2011 and AT&T didn't release the phone until October if I remember correctly. I waited that phone out for a long time and it really tested my will-power. I would expect the same B.S. with this phone as well.
Just a note of caution regarding the release - The rest of the world got the SII sometime in March/April of 2011 and AT&T didn't release the phone until October if I remember correctly. I waited that phone out for a long time and it really tested my will-power. I would expect the same B.S. with this phone as well.
Just FYI, there's a $100 off on all LTE phones from Verizon tomorrow (Wednesday) for Leap Day if anyone is looking to purchase one right now. http://shop.verizonw...cid=BAC-prorsch
It looks like ATT gets the One S - first, this spring - then T-Mobile and Sprint get their versions this summer.
Interesting - the ATT and Sprint versions will have a dual core processor - the T-Mobile phone will have the quad core.
That's because the Tegra doesn't support LTE. Kind of a shortfall for a quad core processor.