94 replies to this topic

[TDMTAM]

Looking for a bit of advice as my phone contract is nearly up. I have been a Nokia fan for as long as I have had a mobile phone but starting to get a bit dismayed with them & the Symbian system.
So I have been thinking about going with a HTC but not sure which or the I-phone 3Gs or 4 (i know there Apple haters here but hey!)
I mostly use my phone for making call & text obviously but also the camera , MP3 & radio functions & also the Satnav (this is were the Nokia is good with Ovi maps)
But I am also interested in some of the app's that are about like biking roads, sky at night, angry birdz etc etc
So what do you guys think/ suggest.
TAM

Edited by TDMTAM, 29 January 2011 - 08:26 pm.

[TonyDevil]

HTC Desire does all the above
and it supports flash and doesnt lose signal if you hold is the wrong way

[trevini]

Can't help with the HTC/Android thing, but I can offer some input on the current Nokias.

I've recently changed my trusty old 5800 for a new C7. It's a step forward in terms of the operating system, with numerous improvements over Symbian S60, BUT Nokia have cocked up big time with Ovi maps (version 3.06) - you can't get the voice instructions to playback via bluetooth or the fm radio transmitter (headphones only). I like the fact I can use the fm transmitter to playback mp3s over the van radio whilst the phone is hooked up to the parrot via bluetooth and everything gets muted when a call comes in/sat nav gives instructions. I gather the N8 has the same sat nav issue. Ovi maps has been improved (apart from the voice playback issue) and now includes pinch to zoom (or whatever it's called) same as Android/I phones. I still tend to go for the phone sat nav rather than any of my Garmins, as I prefer the interface. Also, the camera is not as good as the 5800, as they've done away with the auto focus. That said, the camera produces excellent results without the wait for the camera to focus - just don't try to take any pics closer than about a metre.

[aircooled68]

HTC Desire does all the above
and it supports flash and doesnt lose signal if you hold is the wrong way

+1

[celticbiker]

I am running a GalaxyS (droid(FroYo 2.2.1)) with ADW Launcher EX, Rooted, OCLF and Benchmarked at 1900.
1Ghz Hummingbird processor
512 Mb ram
8Gb internal
Up to 32 Gb external
5 Mp camera
HD video record and playback.

[TDMTAM]

I've recently changed my trusty old 5800 for a new C7.

I have just had my 5800 replaced with a C6 after a cocked up repair on the 5800 but I find the c6 a pile of cack cant even get its own OVI store software to work so I can get app's . Shame as I liked the look of the N8
TAM

Edited by TDMTAM, 29 January 2011 - 10:07 pm.

[ChrisG]

Another vote for the HTC Desire here.

If you're used to normal phones the battery life on smartphones will take some getting used to, it'll do 2 days but I charge it every night 'cos if you start hammering the internet you'll eat the battery in about 3 hours. Pretty much all smartphones are the same though.

[jht]

Had HTC Desire since July 10, why it works its quite good but

Battery life, lucky if you get a day out of it, prepare to have battery chargers everywhere (car, bike,office, home, garage, bog, shed at least) & perhaps a spare battery or two with you.
(and to all the techy mob yeah yeah I got task killer, batt monitor etc etc & battery life is still SHITE & no I'm not a 'heavy user )

and only 256MB iirc internal phone memory, yup you get microSD, but not all apps are transferable to SD, and I seemed to have phone filled quickly & didnt think I had that much on there tbh

now since Nov, it persistantly randomly shuts itself down & tries to reboot up, so its battery out, leave for anywhere from 5 min to 1hr, batt in, reboot
on going problem

When it works its not bad, most people I know with iphone are impressed with HTC, but given shite battery life (it really is shite), limited internal phone memory (& reboot prob in my case) if I had choice again I'd consider a iphone 3gs, nokia 6310... or a slate & chisel

Edited by jht, 29 January 2011 - 10:43 pm.

[catsbum]

Had HTC Desire since July 10, why it works its quite good but

Battery life, lucky if you get a day out of it, prepare to have battery chargers everywhere (car, bike,office, home, garage, bog, shed at least) & perhaps a spare battery or two with you.
(and to all the techy mob yeah yeah I got task killer, batt monitor etc etc & battery life is still SHITE & no I'm not a 'heavy user )

and only 256MB iirc internal phone memory, yup you get microSD, but not all apps are transferable to SD, and I seemed to have phone filled quickly & didnt think I had that much on there tbh

now since Nov, it persistantly randomly shuts itself down & tries to reboot up, so its battery out, leave for anywhere from 5 min to 1hr, batt in, reboot
on going problem

When it works its not bad, most people I know with iphone are impressed with HTC, but given shite battery life (it really is shite), limited internal phone memory (& reboot prob in my case) if I had choice again I'd consider a iphone 3gs, nokia 6310... or a slate & chisel

The battery on my HTC is shite too. Even with an Ebay Brick battery, not much better
I would sell my phone and return to the iPhone 3 GS

[TDMick]

I like my wildfire, when I work out how to use the satnav function, and get it to work on the internet without a WiFi hub.
The camera is not all that good though

[ChrisG]

I think you've got a duff one J, I've had mine since about May and when I typed that at 10:30 last night it was on 75% battery after coming off charge at about 8am. Admittedly I'd probably only made a couple of calls but also had half an hour on the internet, and half an hour of satnav. I do find internet is what eats the battery, at home it's connected to my wifi and uses less power than if I'm out and about.

[JollyGiant]

My contract is about to run out and I was wondering wether to get a HTC Desire HD or Nokia N8 (Can't justify a eyefone as I only spend £20 a month) at the mo I'll go for the Desire but I am worried about the battery life.

My wife has the wildfire and It runs rings round my nokia 5800, I have loved nokia's for years so dunno wether to change to HTC or not???

[3vd]

I got the missus a Desire and she loves it, always on Facebook, gmail, angry birds etc and she gets two days battery life no problem.Personally I went for the motorola defy because it's waterproof, more compact with nearly same size screen, and built in voice dialling, essential for use with bluetooth intercom in my opinion. You can use google voice with the desire but it's not as good.The free sat navigation is good but you need data so I'm going to buy Com Pilot live £ 50 for full european mapping. I really wanted Garmin Mobile XT but you have to buy the garmin phone to get that (although my old Htc p3600 (windows mobile) has got it.Oh yeah, the defy has SWYPE too, that'd awesome, so flipping quick!You can install SWYPE on the Desire but it's not in the market place.Oh the defy is cheaper too!Desire HD eats batteries, the normal Desire is a better phone imho

[Matt101]

Another +1 for the HTC Desire. I have all the usual apps on. SatNav is currently Aura which is good but may be getting Co-Pilot soon.
Get 2 days from the battery no problem. Has WiFi, bluetooth and all the usual whistles and bells. Would heartily recommend it

Matt

[LewisBlackburn]

I know your trying to steer away from Nokia, I did myself until I read a 12 page review about the N8 One here Two Here
Best camera of all phones at the moment, 12MP (Mega pixels aren't everything but with the largest CMOS sensor ever seen in a phone it does take sharp images) 720p video recording and playback through the built in HDMI port on the phone.
Personally I think best SatNav on a phone and better than the gamin I used to have on my N85 and My dads Tom-Tom. Maps are up to date, it’s free (including turn by turn navigation) and has maps for all over the world. You don't need a data connection either, you can downloads the maps and store them on your phone.
Internal 16GB storage and expandable upto 32GB (more if you format the memory card when inside the phone)

Personally the selling point for me, the same as my N85 I used to have, its got an FM transmitter, so I don't have to buy a stupid thing that plugs into 3.5mm jack to play tunes from my phone to any FM radio. also works for SatNav

You can also get angry birds and galaxy on fire

Battery is good too, I get 2 days of usage without a charge, that's a few calls, a few hundred txt's and constant data syncing of emails all day. (wifi when I'm at home or a mates)

Downsides -

Not as many Apps as the iPhone and not as many as android, but there's a usable amount, which is sufficient to keep me occupied, plus a lot of stuff is already on the phone which means you don't need TP apps, like weather, cinema times ect.

The N8 operates on a whole new version of symbian and so far so good, not experienced any problems and I'm an advance, heavy user, loads of music on the phone, loads of apps, use the sat nav, use everything really.

Screen isn’t as good as the iPhone but its standard for most smart phones, and its very bright and carries some nice deep colours.



I thought I'd regret getting it but so far I've had it about 3 months and I can’t praise it enough. Plus I didn't have to pay an extra £15 a month just to having something apple, also the Phone was free.

Plus I’m on a 18 month contract, if I wanted a contact for an iPhone for the same price I would have had to go for 24 months and pay for the phone.

Lew

Edited by LewisBlackburn, 30 January 2011 - 12:43 pm.

[TDMTAM]

I know your trying to steer away from Nokia, I did myself until I read a 12 page review about the N8 [url="http://www.gsmarena.com/ Plus I didn't have to pay an extra £15 a month just to having something apple, also the Phone was free.

Plus I’m on a 18 month contract, if I wanted a contact for an iPhone for the same price I would have had to go for 24 months and pay for the phone.

Lew

That is a consideration for me as I can get the HTC & the Nokia N8 for nowt on contract but they want me to pay £55 for the I-phone & tie me in for 2 year not 18 months.
TAM

[trevini]

its got an FM transmitter, so I don't have to buy a stupid thing that plugs into 3.5mm jack to play tunes from my phone to any FM radio. also works for SatNav

Sorry to correct you on that, but the latest software for Ovi maps won't let the voice play back over fm transmitter or bluetooth - well documented on the Nokia forums.

Linky

edit to add link

Edited by trevini, 30 January 2011 - 01:33 pm.

[jht]

I think you've got a duff one J, I've had mine since about May and when I typed that at 10:30 last night it was on 75% battery after coming off charge at about 8am. Admittedly I'd probably only made a couple of calls but also had half an hour on the internet, and half an hour of satnav. I do find internet is what eats the battery, at home it's connected to my wifi and uses less power than if I'm out and about.

charged to 100% yesterday morning.
10 texts, recieved one mms message, 2 calls under 3 min, 20 min browsing via home wifi
battery down to 24% by 6pm and put back on charge

used satnav with nipper walking around london, were there 3-4hrs, total satnav time about 30 min, from 100% that ran it down to 25%

may have dodgy one, but having had bit o'hunt HTC batt life seems quite variable with some like yours and some like mine

getting a good one or not shouldnt be a lottery!

not good enough really

random shutting down-wise all vodafone will do is offer me a recon 7 day unit (one that someones returned after 7 days)

[ChrisG]

I'm sure my better life has got better as the phones got older. I did read something about conditioning the battery and calibrating the battery meter, it may be your meter's wrong, try letting it discharge fully until it turns off, and the fully recharge it with the phone turned off.

Crashes and excessive power consumption could be caused by some programs, try uninstalling all the crap you've loaded on it and see if it makes a difference, I had a problem where mine wouldn't shut down and took several seconds to be usable when woken up, which went away when I uninstalled a few programs.

[LewisBlackburn]

Sorry to correct you on that, but the latest software for Ovi maps won't let the voice play back over fm transmitter or bluetooth - well documented on the Nokia forums.

Linky

edit to add link

Fair enough, I've only used mine through the headphones jack.

I've had multiple updates on mine already though so its pretty well supported, although the peoples opinion on the Nokia forums may differ.

At the end of the day it is free so you cant expect the world, but i agree it should work

Lew