Android hardware: Verizon > T-Mobile?

[HavocG1]

Why is it that T-Mobile was the first to adopt Android, but Verizon seems to be getting the best hardware??? Is T-Mo just not putting in bids for better phones? See article:

http://www.softsailor.com/news/10414-htc-passion-aka-dragon-is-hd2s-android-2-0-version-hitting-verizon-soon.html

**100th post...w00t!**

[RightOnTime]

Saw this on engadget too. Its so upsetting that T-mobile is getting crap. I was really looking fowatd to the dragon being on T-mobile. Hopefully they still get it

[f4phantomii]

Actually, doesn't the article say that T-Mo is getting the HD2, which they say is pretty much the same as the HTC Passion that Verizon is getting?

Or did I read that wrong?

[RightOnTime]

HD2 isnt android, its windows mobile 6.5 I believe

[hondamx525]

Im gunna wait. Im gunna see how the droid and passion and eris get recieved by people, and im just gunna sit tight until after the holidays. If nothing good comes about i may consider paying the etf and jumping ship.

[bmcclure937]

I am anxious for the new devices to be released. I think this will be an amazing thing for the Android community and hopefully it will propel the platform forward and increase market share and popularity. In due time, Android will be a huge player in the smartphone market :D

I see great things in the future and am very optimistic about Android and the open platform! ;)

[m4nic3]

HD2 isnt android, its windows mobile 6.5 I believe

The Dragon is an android version of the HD2

[djunio]

Verizon is getting it first but it is coming to T-mobile. Verizon's 3 Android are better than any T-mobile currently have or will have within the next 3 or 4 months unless T-mobile got a few surprises up their sleeve.

[roguespy0]

just read something over at phonedog that said the HTC Dragon/Passion isnt going to Verizon.It says it is a GSM phone.

http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/not-verizon-htc-passion-is-a-gsm-android-phone.aspx

[cmbarry1]

Verizon is getting it first but it is coming to T-mobile. Verizon's 3 Android are better than any T-mobile currently have or will have within the next 3 or 4 months unless T-mobile got a few surprises up their sleeve.

I know the CS reps are unreliable but one told me that there is gonna be a new moto phone within the next month and it will be one of the best phones on the market..again don't know the reliability but can't hurt to hope for some decent hardware running android

[HavocG1]

just read something over at phonedog that said the HTC Dragon/Passion isnt going to Verizon.It says it is a GSM phone.

http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/not-verizon-htc-passion-is-a-gsm-android-phone.aspx

Is the Dragon supposed to have a QWERTY?

[HavocG1]

I know the CS reps are unreliable but one told me that there is gonna be a new moto phone within the next month and it will be one of the best phones on the market..again don't know the reliability but can't hurt to hope for some decent hardware running android

I would think that if something that big were releasing in that short amount of time, someone would know something about it. Phones are being leaked months, sometimes years before they are released. But so far nobody knows anything. Driving me crazy!!!

[roguespy0]

Is the Dragon supposed to have a QWERTY?

That I am not sure, however if I had to guess I would say it wouldn't have QWERTY keyboard, plus from the leaked pictures doesn't look like it had one.

[InsightGoalie]

Maybe because Tmobile seems to be working with Nokia a bit more? I believe a Tmo exec mentioned something about 2 N series phones coming the beginning of next year? Also the N900 is amazing hardware/software and is built with Tmobiles radio specs...

[Sheed6992]

ha yea i feel the same way if tmobile doesnt announce some nice android phones after the holiday i am might be going over to sprint for the hero or verizon for the droid because the cliq is horrible. what ever happened to the samsung bigfoot

[RDILLZ]

They have until Christmas to Get me some powerful hardware! Must run Android. No over-hyped, over-priced Nokia N9000000 either lol. Verizon making Android a brand name shows that they're serious and its a brilliant move. Tmo was the 1st to take a chance with the OS, so I have to believe they have 1st pick on the phones(i guess), but choose to release a weak social device like the cliq. I left Blackberry because all the real nice ones were coming out on other carriers while TMO's big BB release was a damn flip phone!?!? It worked out because thats when I found Android. But I'm leaving this time. They better get me a real phone.

[danguyf]

I have serious gadget-lust for the Motorola Sholes (aka Verizon Droid).

Surely T-Mo is going to get something equivalent. Google went with T-Mo for the ADP1, so surely they can't sit by and allow them to have inferior phones. Right?.....

[Scythe]

I have serious gadget-lust for the Motorola Sholes (aka Verizon Droid).

Surely T-Mo is going to get something equivalent. Google went with T-Mo for the ADP1, so surely they can't sit by and allow them to have inferior phones. Right?.....


Google doesn't make the phones, nor create the deals between phone companies. They simply provide an operating system. It's up to Tmo to pay a company to engineer them a new phone with better specs -- which runs Android.

So I expect Tmo to be calling up HTC and Motorola to see what they can get their hands on to stay competitive.

[hondamx525]

I doubt that google has NO decision in who gets what phone, conidering it was CEO's from google and verizon showing off the phone before it was released, not Verizon and Motorola.

[bmcclure937]

Agreed :cool:

[danguyf]

Google doesn't make the phones, nor create the deals between phone companies. They simply provide an operating system. It's up to Tmo to pay a company to engineer them a new phone with better specs -- which runs Android.

So I expect Tmo to be calling up HTC and Motorola to see what they can get their hands on to stay competitive.

Industry chatter was that Google was very involved in the design of the Sholes, specifying certain hardware requirements and design elements. They are certainly not powerless; I'm sure they could strong-arm HTC into creating the next great ADP for T-Mo.

[webrun]

Anyone have any idea if the Motorola Droid will be able to be rooted? Or will Verizon gimp it so that we can't root the phone.

I may consider jumping from my T-Mo G1 to VZW for the Droid if: 1) depending on the monthly service price for the Droid, and 2) if it can be rooted (a requirement)

[hondamx525]

It probably wont get rooted for a while, because it is a completely different device, but eventually it will. As the user base for the droid grows someone will find it.

[Jet]

LOL ! O M G , bye y'all have fun with Verizons prices and excellent Customer Service!

[konzern]

i figured out how verizon crippled the droid! did you see what comes in the package? just a charger lol what the heck is that!

like if this phone was a 20 dollar phone or something

[bmcclure937]

LOL ! O M G , bye y'all have fun with Verizons prices and excellent Customer Service!

Corporate discounts make Verizon competitive with other carriers when it comes to price :D And how often do you actually ever have to deal with Customer Service? (hopefully never, since this forum contains more knowledge than any CS rep. lol)


i figured out how verizon crippled the droid! did you see what comes in the package? just a charger lol what the heck is that!

like if this phone was a 20 dollar phone or something

I agree!! I wish it would at least include a holster or something. With the magnet sensors for the media dock and car dock it would be nice to see Motorola use the sensors for locking the device and putting it "to sleep" when in a holster (common in BlackBerries).

[konzern]

i just wish the basic stuff was there LIKE EARPHONES, CARRYING POUCH

i mean compare t-mobile's mytouch packaging with the droid one and the mytouch has a way better package

[hondamx525]

The mytouch needs it haha. They probably just did it to cut the cost of the phone down to as low as possible. 199 on contract(thats amazing)? The mytouch came out for t-mobile like that, and the touch pro 2 was 350 ON CONTRACT. Thats crazy. Though verizon does cost an arm and a leg, it is because they have a lot more service then t-mobile does.

[konzern]

but common what phone nowadays doesnt come without earphones? and im not talking about low end phones

[aprilkayyy]

I currently have the G1 with T-Mobile while my Dad has the HTC imagio with Verizon. I'm so phone envious as of right now, not because he has the imagio (because it has windows.. ew) but because his service is so much better. I hardly ever get 3G in Orlando while he is constantly on 3G. I'm thinking about jumping ship to Verizon and getting an Android phone there but there's so many new phones coming out I don't know which one to get.. I guess I'll just wait because I'm out of my contract now. I just want every phone that comes out =/.

[konzern]

I currently have the G1 with T-Mobile while my Dad has the HTC imagio with Verizon. I'm so phone envious as of right now, not because he has the imagio (because it has windows.. ew) but because his service is so much better. I hardly ever get 3G in Orlando while he is constantly on 3G. I'm thinking about jumping ship to Verizon and getting an Android phone there but there's so many new phones coming out I don't know which one to get.. I guess I'll just wait because I'm out of my contract now. I just want every phone that comes out =/.

yeah i would say wait it out

[webrun]

I agree!! I wish it would at least include a holster or something.

Holster? I didn't know anyone still used holsters. Where I live, everyone carries their phone in their pocket (or purse). When you see a phone in a holster, its an oddity ... To each his own.

I was with Verizon for many many years before jumping to T-Mobile a year ago for the G1. I have several complaints I can list about Verizon (plastering their logo everywhere on the hardware and software, nickel and diming you for extras, gimping the phones ... ), but I never had any problems with their customer service. So I don't get the complaints about VZ cust svc, as I never experienced such problems in almost two decades with them.

[Derrick]

I'm so phone envious as of right now, not because he has the imagio (because it has windows.. ew) but because his service is so much better. I hardly ever get 3G in Orlando while he is constantly on 3G. I'm thinking about jumping ship to Verizon and getting an Android phone there but there's so many new phones coming out I don't know which one to get.

Wow really? When I went to Orlando to visit some family the 3G was blazing and even kept up in Kississimee and most parts of Poinciana. I thought the 3G was better there than here in Atlanta.

[konzern]

Holster? I didn't know anyone still used holsters. Where I live, everyone carries their phone in their pocket (or purse). When you see a phone in a holster, its an oddity ... To each his own.


i love holster clips, especially with a large phone like the droid i wouldnt like carrying it in my pocket all the time

even with my g1 i have to carry it in my back pocket cuz its too big (yes i know the droid is thinner) I had a holster for my g1 but i dropped it and broke the clip off

[Jet]

Holster? I didn't know anyone still used holsters. Where I live, everyone carries their phone in their pocket (or purse). When you see a phone in a holster, its an oddity ... To each his own.

I was with Verizon for many many years before jumping to T-Mobile a year ago for the G1. I have several complaints I can list about Verizon (plastering their logo everywhere on the hardware and software, nickel and diming you for extras, gimping the phones ... ), but I never had any problems with their customer service. So I don't get the complaints about VZ cust svc, as I never experienced such problems in almost two decades with them.

You got lucky, I had nothing but problems about billing and minutes that appear from nowhere. I for one don`t think I would jump ship just because of a better phone - Hell I can buy any phone I want and put my SIM card in it? Can your Verizon phone do that? Ah oh wha?
Customer service showdown: Sprint and Verizon tie for second, T-Mobile #1, AT&T last


http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/rating-carrier-customer-service.aspx?page=7

[webrun]

I can buy any phone I want and put my SIM card in it

Yeah, I've thought of that, but "any phone" has to have the correct radio frequencies for it to work on T-Mobile. Some GSM phones may not work at all on T-Mo. With some the voice will work and the Edge will work, but not the 3G. It depends on what carrier in the US or Europe that the phone was built for.

I want an upgraded, fast, 2.0 Android phone with a physical keyboard and I don't know of such a GSM phone out that will work fully on T-MO, or when T-Mobile is going to offer such a product. T-Mo unfortunately seems to be passing on offering the more advanced Android hardware now. Also, I like T-Mo's prices and cust svc, but I find their 3G coverage is a bit thin here and there.

There are compromises to be with any carrier.

[HavocG1]

Holster? I didn't know anyone still used holsters. Where I live, everyone carries their phone in their pocket (or purse). When you see a phone in a holster, its an oddity ... To each his own.

I was with Verizon for many many years before jumping to T-Mobile a year ago for the G1. I have several complaints I can list about Verizon (plastering their logo everywhere on the hardware and software, nickel and diming you for extras, gimping the phones ... ), but I never had any problems with their customer service. So I don't get the complaints about VZ cust svc, as I never experienced such problems in almost two decades with them.

The SEIDIO case/holster is nice because it's a case for the phone that's thin enough to fit into its holster. I never liked putting a phone in my pocket that wasn't a flip phone. I have keys, change, etc, etc in my pockets, and I'd rather not sit on my phone. I also have the ACM metal wallet. Holsters work for me.

[aprilkayyy]

Wow really? When I went to Orlando to visit some family the 3G was blazing and even kept up in Kississimee and most parts of Poinciana. I thought the 3G was better there than here in Atlanta.

Hmm that is weird. I live in downtown Orlando and I rarely get 3G. Maybe it's my phone.

[roguespy0]

I am going to wait a bit before I make a decision. I don't think I would want to go back to Verizon. I have had T Mobile for 3 years or so now and I will wait until early 2010 to see what new phones T Mobile has. I would like to believe that they are going to launch some new high end phones by early 2010. Yes the Droid is nice and has great specs, but I can wait.

[bmcclure937]

You got lucky, I had nothing but problems about billing and minutes that appear from nowhere. I for one don`t think I would jump ship just because of a better phone - Hell I can buy any phone I want and put my SIM card in it? Can your Verizon phone do that? Ah oh wha?
Customer service showdown: Sprint and Verizon tie for second, T-Mobile #1, AT&T last


http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/rating-carrier-customer-service.aspx?page=7

I am currently a TMobile user and I agree that it is nice to have the freedom to purchase any device that works on the TMo frequencies and pop in your SIM card... but that is very unrealistic unless you are willing to pay $500 for an unsubsidized phone (or buy from eBay or somewhere on the internet and still pay around that same price).

Also, who really cares about customer service?! Honestly, I hear this argument all of the time... but how often does the average customer even interact with customer service?? Is it really that big of a deal? :rolleyes: Plus, if you plan on rooting your device... then CS will be worthless anyhow. I am just saying, the customer service is not really an issue for me... what matters is coverage.

I have seriously been considering dropping TMobile in favor of Verizon for the past few months. Once my contract expires I am planning to switch... and I was planning to do this even before hearing about the Droid. Now with Android devices hitting VZW, it is like icing on the cake (or should I say "frosting on the Eclair"? ;) )

Anyhow. TMobile has spotty coverage (at best)... there is no argument against that. I would rather have great coverage from Verizon than #1 customer service from TMobile. I know, "you get what you pay for" and TMobile plans are generally cheaper than Verizon... but I would rather have a device and be satisfied that I have the nations best network wherever I go. I have been with TMobile for about 5 years now and have been very satisfied with coverage in my immediate area, but otherwise it can become very annoying when traveling.

*EDIT* : my TMobile contract is not up for another 8 months or so... and I understand a lot of things may change during this time. If my corporate discount for Verizon stays at 20% off then that may be the route I end up taking. And there will be other devices available by then as well

[HavocG1]

I am currently a TMobile user and I agree that it is nice to have the freedom to purchase any device that works on the TMo frequencies and pop in your SIM card... but that is very unrealistic unless you are willing to pay $500 for an unsubsidized phone (or buy from eBay or somewhere on the internet and still pay around that same price).

Also, who really cares about customer service?! Honestly, I hear this argument all of the time... but how often does the average customer even interact with customer service?? Is it really that big of a deal? :rolleyes: Plus, if you plan on rooting your device... then CS will be worthless anyhow. I am just saying, the customer service is not really an issue for me... what matters is coverage.

I have seriously been considering dropping TMobile in favor of Verizon for the past few months. Once my contract expires I am planning to switch... and I was planning to do this even before hearing about the Droid. Now with Android devices hitting VZW, it is like icing on the cake (or should I say "frosting on the Eclair"? ;) )

Anyhow. TMobile has spotty coverage (at best)... there is no argument against that. I would rather have great coverage from Verizon than #1 customer service from TMobile. I know, "you get what you pay for" and TMobile plans are generally cheaper than Verizon... but I would rather have a device and be satisfied that I have the nations best network wherever I go. I have been with TMobile for about 5 years now and have been very satisfied with coverage in my immediate area, but otherwise it can become very annoying when traveling.

*EDIT* : my TMobile contract is not up for another 8 months or so... and I understand a lot of things may change during this time. If my corporate discount for Verizon stays at 20% off then that may be the route I end up taking. And there will be other devices available by then as well

My contract isn't up for literally another year, so I'm just considering dropping my T-mobile plan to $29.99 and getting a moderate Verizon plan with the Droid, with the company discount. Should come out to around $100 or a little more. Hell, I may even sell my G1 to cover the ETF...but I'd just be worried about Tmo coming out with a phone that's better than the Droid....likely?

[Derrick]

Hmm that is weird. I live in downtown Orlando and I rarely get 3G. Maybe it's my phone.

I dunno but from Universal, to Disney, to my grandparents house I had 3G all the time.

[webrun]

I just read somewhere, I think either slashgear or boy genius, that Sprint has suddenly put the cabosh on tethering. AT&T already doesn't allow tethering.

And as far as the Droid Verizon phone, I am watching closely for two things: 1) will we be able to root it, and 2) will we be able to tether with it. If the answer to either 1 or 2 is no, then Droid is out of consideration for me, and that will leave me with T-Mobile as my only option for a carrier.

I do not abuse the privilege of tethering -- I only use it rarely, and then only kind of for emergency purposes, so to speak, but I need the capability. It is unfortunate that apparently some people have abused the tethering capability and prompted some carriers to outlaw the possibility.

[glevy4]

So, apparently T-Mobile is introducing integrated billing for app developers. So, now users can purchase applications and have it charged to their monthly bill, instead of having to enter a credit card (google checkout etc).

Anybody know if VZW or others are planning to take this approach as well?

[DaveA]

What pisses me off about T-Mobile is: SLOW 3G. I have 4 bars and it's still slow as ****.

[Kings to me]

but I'd just be worried about Tmo coming out with a phone that's better than the Droid....likely?

Thats what I'm waiting for but wont happen, at least not for awhile. My contract ended over an year ago but i'm not quick to jump to Verizon just yet. A similar plan at Verizon is worth $30-40 more than what i'm currently using but I'll still go over to their store this weekend to get a peek at the droid. If the phone is that good, I may switch. :p

[lebron212]

What pisses me off about T-Mobile is: SLOW 3G. I have 4 bars and it's still slow as ****.

I live in Atlanta and my 3g is pretty fast even on 1 bar compared to being on edge.