Alternative to iPhone

[hongman]

Before i start, please please please do not let this thread degenerate to a apple vs world debate!

Had my 3GS for ages now and since have not kept up to date with other phones. Few days ago I dropped my iPhone and smashed it. It's getting repaired but I was getting bored of it anyway. I happen to think the iPhone is rubbish as a phone but great as a mobile device for stuff like apps and emails.

My requirements are:

Must have a decent email facility which supports Exchange as much as possible. Contacts, calendar, etc. Not really bothered with POP etc.

Decent battery life compared to iPhone 3

Decent touch screen. Must be as good as iPhone.

Decent song management

Choices are iPhone 4 or a new smart phone. but which?

Most popular seem to be HTC Desire HD, Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy?

Hate samsung phones. OH has had them for last 3 phones and I hate them all, can't get along with the UI and menu system.

I'm guessing android OS is going to be a given? Have windows phones come along in the recent times?

I already know what the iPhone can and can't do so please no preaching. I just fancy a change, and I have an iPad to satisfy my apple requirements. I however do not know much about other competitive phones and features, so interested if there are any that I could possibly buy as a replacement.

[Electro]

Just a heads up on the iphone 4.

Battery life is much better, a flash on the camera brings it back into the real world, very good screen compared with the 3GS.
I like the 4, the 3GS was just about bearable. I dont think i would have got either of them if My Holtz hadnt played with them :)
I stuck with Nokia for years then iphones came along. I`ve not had a modern android or wondows phone but my old xda mini is still going strong after 6 years.

[sv4me]

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc (what i'll be getting next I hope :)) comes highly recommended by my mate who works in carphone warehouse

HTC Desire S is my other choice, will come down to what I can get as a free upgrade

[-Ralph-]

As of 6.5, Windows is still ****, though I do wonder when I hear some iPhone stories, if they're actually any better. Not tried Windows Phone 7.

[TC3]

wait till end of June for Iphone 5 and see how they have improved that?

[454697819]

I have a HTC Trophy on the windows 7 Platform...

I really rate it, I have convinced 3 other people to avoid the 3Gs and go with this handset.

Its quite simple and there aren't millions of apps, but its normally a free handset on cheaper tariffs.

[Brettus]

wait till end of June for Iphone 5 and see how they have improved that?
iPhone 5 is likely to be delayed, the current thinking is announced at the autumn event for ipod touch etc and available early 2012. worth waiting to check on the june announcement though just in case all the rumours are false

[hindle8907]

andorid or ios, but dont what ever you do go os7 imo its lacks in every department compared to the opposition's.

[custard]

have galaxy s - is pretty good, traded a 3gs for it and am happy. the battery aint all that a days use will cane it.
regards text and email - have you thought about a blackberry?

[SoulKiss]

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc (what i'll be getting next I hope :)) comes highly recommended by my mate who works in carphone warehouse

HTC Desire S is my other choice, will come down to what I can get as a free upgrade

The ARC is a VERY capable phone.

However I went for the Xperia Play cos I want to play Gran Turismo on my phone (well avtually Final Fantasy 7) :p

[hongman]

The way I see it, for me:

iPhone4 is a safe bet. I know it will do what I need it to do. Bit bored of ios though, just fancy something different but equally as good.

Windows phones - ok I'll steer clear for now, sounds like they still havent improved!

Experia Arc - what is the business functions I use (Email etc) like on it? I'm really not a mobile game person.

Blackberry - used them for years, dont like them.

Galaxy S - is what my OH has and I hate it! Horrible menu and UI.

Anyone used/got the HTC Desire HD?

[stewie]

Sorry for slight derail but can you stick a pay as you go sim card into an iphone at the end its contract and keep your original number ? I've got the iphone 3gs and kinda bored with it now but don't want to get another expensive smartphone just yet, ta.

[hongman]

Well the number is tied to the sim card, so without porting the number to another sim, no.

I dont know if you can port numbers to a PAYG? Proba not.

[stewie]

oh right, never mind, sorry for derail mate.

[454697819]

The way I see it, for me:

iPhone4 is a safe bet. I know it will do what I need it to do. Bit bored of ios though, just fancy something different but equally as good.

Windows phones - ok I'll steer clear for now, sounds like they still havent improved!

Experia Arc - what is the business functions I use (Email etc) like on it? I'm really not a mobile game person.

Blackberry - used them for years, dont like them.

Galaxy S - is what my OH has and I hate it! Horrible menu and UI.

Anyone used/got the HTC Desire HD?

Don't write them off, Hindle doesn't like it for his own reasons which is fair but it is a different beast to a jailbroken Iphone 4., but it really is a pretty good platform and would suit your requirements down to the ground...plus the HTC handsets are great and they are free unlike the robbing gits who want £150 for an iphone.

[Viney]

The way I see it, for me:

iPhone4 is a safe bet. I know it will do what I need it to do. Bit bored of ios though, just fancy something different but equally as good.

Windows phones - ok I'll steer clear for now, sounds like they still havent improved!

Experia Arc - what is the business functions I use (Email etc) like on it? I'm really not a mobile game person.

Blackberry - used them for years, dont like them.

Galaxy S - is what my OH has and I hate it! Horrible menu and UI.

Anyone used/got the HTC Desire HD?All phones have their quirks. I have a normal Desire and its good at 99% of what i want it to do. It can use Exchange Sync (Just our companys security policy is daft) and all other forms of email. The music client isn't no where near as good as the iPhone, but there are better ones that you can download. Winamp, Realplayer etc. Battery life. Well like all things, if you have all the stuff turned on then its pretty poor. Turn off the 3g and all the stuff and only on when you need it, i can get 2 days out of mine with fair use of texts, email, calls and surfing. Screen is good, but poor in strong sunlight. The text application is a nightmare. Its not a true T9 and does some odd things. Oh and HTC sync is awful. This is the software that allows sync to pc etc. The UI is good and intuitive.

[SoulKiss]

Oh and HTC sync is awful. This is the software that allows sync to pc etc. The UI is good and intuitive.

However as an Android phone, you can, if you choose, just run a constant sync of everything (including SMS's) to a Google account.

[irons]

id buy a cheap phone to get by for another couple of months and wait for the iphone 5. No point running out and buying the iphone4 just a couple of months before they release something even better.

if you cant wait then id go with the iphone 4, imo everything else is still not up to speed

[daveyrach]

Have you considered a Blackberry Torch??

Amazing for emails, cnt quite get the same apps as iphone etc, massive memory i have over 600 songs on mine and still loads of space. The torch also has a touch screen as well as a slide out QWERTY keyboards and a camera with a flash.

I still have a BB Bold but i love it and will def be getting another BB

I'm with you tho i think iPhones are over-rated!

[Jimmy2Feet]

I have galaxy S, and i am very happy with it, i dont have an issue with the UI at all, hardware great, camera could do with having a flash, but that is not the be all or end all for me to be honest!

The Desire HD is a great phone, i have a couple of mates with them, and i prob would have got one, but the hardware difference betweem the Desire and the galaxy S IMO is very small, and the deal i got on the Galaxy S Smashed the deals available on the HTC.

The biggest downside to the desire IMO is the weight, great that is has a metal case, but that adds so much weight to it, and being that i always have it in a case makes no odds to me!

I think that the blackberry torch would be a good bet as well, not used the torch but i have been very impressed with bb's in the past.

[hindle8907]

the torch is blockey as hell. good strong radio radio module but that's the only good thing going for it imo.

[ThEGr33k]

LG optimus 2x. Pretty much the most powerful phone out atm. Running Android 2.2 though will apparently be upgraded to 2.3 "soon".

Im personally looking at either the Samsung Galaxy sII (though you say you dont like the first one) or the LG Optumis 3D. Will see what happens, though im leaning towards the Samsung atm.

Why do people keep talking about the iPhone 5, its not out for months (if roumours are to be believed till early next year) and will just be a slightly quicker iphone 4, it will likely run similar hardware to the iPad2, like the iPhone 4 was to the iPad1. ios will still be dull.

[600+]

HTC Desire S is the latest from HTC and runs Gingerbread which is the latest Android OS version.

I have a Desire and I agree with all that was said before. The S is the version where they sorted all things missed on the Desire. Needless to say I'd go for the Desire S with no questions asked against what else is out there.

[ThEGr33k]

HTC Desire S is the latest from HTC and runs Gingerbread which is the latest Android OS version.

I have a Desire and I agree with all that was said before. The S is the version where they sorted all things missed on the Desire. Needless to say I'd go for the Desire S with no questions asked against what else is out there.

There is only one reason id not be tempted to go with HTC again and that is allowing orange to add bloat ware. That has been a pita for the whole time I have had the Desire.

My tip is to make sure you get an unbranded phone!!!!!!!!

[hongman]

Thanks for all your opinions.

I guess I need to get myself down to a phone shop and start playing really...

[Viney]

However as an Android phone, you can, if you choose, just run a constant sync of everything (including SMS's) to a Google account.True and this is what i now do. However, i cant sync my work calender to my phone which was useful the twice it worked on my company laptop. I now have to save the calender then upload it once a week into my google one.

[rodders]

I've got the Desire HD. Amazing phone Android is as good if not better than Iphone software.

Best thing massive screen everyone is jealous.
Worst thins massive screen can be big in your pocket (but it is thin) and battery life drains when watching films/ playing games.

It is the best phone by far, plus Google has a webpage you can deign your own apps and upload them to your phone for free.

Got my work calendar synced to phone. Outlook sync's with HTC sync and a cable, or just connect you work email directly through phone.

Got to go with Android, (free software). It Google is the new Apple.:rolleyes:

(sits back and waits for the onslaught...)

[hongman]

Well after reading copious amounts of reviews, the Android vs Apple battle just cant be decided! It comes out as a draw in nearly every review.

I wento the shop by all they had were dummy phones :(

Really want to get me grubs on a real Android to play with for a few days!

[-Ralph-]

WReally want to get me grubs on a real Android to play with for a few days!

I think somewhere I've seen an virtual machine/emulator that lets you run it in a separate window on your PC for demo purposes.

[hongman]

Thanks Ralph - off to explore!

[SoulKiss]

Well after reading copious amounts of reviews, the Android vs Apple battle just cant be decided! It comes out as a draw in nearly every review.

I wento the shop by all they had were dummy phones :(

Really want to get me grubs on a real Android to play with for a few days!

If you have a T-Mobile SIM (and PAYG would do) I can lend you a Hero running 2.3 (Custom Firmware) for a while.

[hongman]

I dont have a T-Mobile SIM but I can probably get one free on PAYG right? Whats the deal with the CFW?

PS love you

[hongman]

Ok, got the emulator running, great.

One immediate thing I notice which I cannot live without is the use of sub-folders in email, as I have lots of server-side sorting rules.

Is this feature not available or am I missing a trick to see them?

[ThEGr33k]

HTC just announced a new phone which looks very interesting! Its the HTC Sensation.

IrbXVHpnDMo

Actually well worth a watch. Some amazing idea's for sense ui, especially the unlock!!!!

Awww, dont have an idea what ill want in a couple of months now :'(

[The Basket]

Motorola Atrix.

[hongman]

http://gizmodo.com/#!5471805/windows-phone-7-series-everything-is-different-now

Hmmm I want to see it.

[hongman]

HTC just announced a new phone which looks very interesting! Its the HTC Sensation.

IrbXVHpnDMo

Actually well worth a watch. Some amazing idea's for sense ui, especially the unlock!!!!

Awww, dont have an idea what ill want in a couple of months now :'(

That does look amazing as a multimedia device. No mention of business apps though, things like email etc...its all about the email!

[rodders]

Android free apps apple all paid for apps. Easy decision.

[ThEGr33k]

That does look amazing as a multimedia device. No mention of business apps though, things like email etc...its all about the email!

What Email do you need to access? It can sync with POP/Exchange so it should be fine with any Emails. How does it handle Email?

V887u2HA3zs

Here is the HTC Desire HD. Id imagine the Sensation will be similar if not better. :)

[ThEGr33k]

Android free apps apple all paid for apps. Easy decision.

There are some good paid for apps as well on Android.

There is also the new Amazon Appstore, but that is US only atm, but in the future it could be a good supply of Apps :)

[Bluefish]

HTC just announced a new phone which looks very interesting! Its the HTC Sensation.

IrbXVHpnDMo

Actually well worth a watch. Some amazing idea's for sense ui, especially the unlock!!!!

Awww, dont have an idea what ill want in a couple of months now :'(
Looks pretty good that, i could be in the market for a new phone pretty soon lol, mind you i googled the earlier sugestions, and they all look pretty cool :rolleyes:

[hongman]

Not overly bothered about apps. I'm not a massive app user so the cost there is really minimal.

Email-wise, just simple things really. Sub folder support for starters!

As far as I can see Android currently does not support subfolder push and notifications. Dealbreaker right there.

[irons]

Android free apps apple all paid for apps. Easy decision.

thousands of free app's for the iphone, if you jail break it then everything is free!!

plus thousands more app's for iphone than android. Makes that decision tougher

[SoulKiss]

thousands of free app's for the iphone, if you steal them then everything is free!!

plus thousands more app's for iphone than android. Makes that decision tougher

Fixed that first bit for you

Quantity is no measure of quality on the second.

[SoulKiss]

I dont have a T-Mobile SIM but I can probably get one free on PAYG right? Whats the deal with the CFW?

PS love you

T-MOb/HTC didnt release an update beyond 2.1, the CFW guys took other 2.3 ROM dumps and modified them to work on the Hero.

Yeah, pop into a T-Mobile shop and pick one up.

Fancy coming into Soho on Friday night to pick it up?

I will warn, this is a slow device, so you can test functionality, but performance is not as good as a modern Android phone.

[muffles]

LG optimus 2x. Pretty much the most powerful phone out atm. Running Android 2.2 though will apparently be upgraded to 2.3 "soon".

Im personally looking at either the Samsung Galaxy sII (though you say you dont like the first one) or the LG Optumis 3D. Will see what happens, though im leaning towards the Samsung atm.

Why do people keep talking about the iPhone 5, its not out for months (if roumours are to be believed till early next year) and will just be a slightly quicker iphone 4, it will likely run similar hardware to the iPad2, like the iPhone 4 was to the iPad1. ios will still be dull.

I just bought an LG Optimus 2X, seems quite good so far, I'm upgrading from a HTC Magic though. Bought it for the dual-core, and the HDMI output, and at the time of announcement there were 3 dual-cores announced, and this has a 4" screen and the others 4.3". I prefer smaller screens so I don't look like I'm holding a tablet!

Don't really use email enough to have many problems, certainly not with sub folders, very surprised there is no email app out there that can do what's requested though.

[Graciepants]

I have an iphone 4 and 2 people I know have the HTC Desire HD. Both of them have upgraded from iphone 3g or 3gs. One of them works for orange and he loves the HTC. The HTC Desire HD has horrible battery life though - the iphone 4 is apparently loads better then the older iphones, but you do need to charge it every day/every other day, depending on all the apps you use. The HTC is actually worse (i've done an experiement in lectures) but is still better than the iphone 3g/3gs. Both my friends with the HTC say that they would recommend the HTC, but if you're an app person, then the iphone is better because there are far more available for that

[454697819]

Not overly bothered about apps. I'm not a massive app user so the cost there is really minimal.

Email-wise, just simple things really. Sub folder support for starters!

As far as I can see Android currently does not support subfolder push and notifications. Dealbreaker right there.

ehem windows 7 phone does... i think u have to set it up on the webmail account first but then it sees them no problem, I have a folder for the sv notifications :-)

[hindle8907]

ehem windows 7 phone does... i think u have to set it up on the webmail account first but then it sees them no problem, I have a folder for the sv notifications :-)

he doesn't mean like that, he means sub folders within folders using exchange.

[hongman]

Thanks muffles and graciepants, useful insight there.

SK, we'll see about Soho. About time I got my backside down there right! Although the % depends largely on what time I get off work.

[hongman]

he doesn't mean like that, he means sub folders within folders using exchange.

Correct, but I think Windows 7 phones do that also.

[fastdruid]

One thing I don't understand is not liking the Galaxy S just because of the UI, its android, change it to what you want or exclude all androids. Simples.

Druid

[SoulKiss]

One thing I don't understand is not liking the Galaxy S just because of the UI, its android, change it to what you want or exclude all androids. Simples.

Druid

If the manufacturer has implemented a skin over Android (Sense with HTC) its usually impossible to remove it - its their USP over their competitors.

Originally Android wasn't pretty, so these skins were a great help.

Now that Android itself is nice, the skins are not really necessary.

It also means that unless the manufacturer releases an update, you cant just put the latest Android release on the phone (without rooting).

Its annoying but its how it is at the moment.

[hongman]

IIRC there were some other quirks which I didnt like about the Samsung (which I think are Samsung specific as it did it on my OH's old phone which was not Android, just Samsung's own OS)

Something like you have to store media on the internal memory if you wanted to use it for anything (ringtones, etc)

Awful colour scheme

Worst PC app (Kies) I have ever used, although I dislike pretty much all of the ones I have used over the years (ActiveSync, PC Suite, BBDM, Samsung)

[fastdruid]

To be fair I'm with you on Kies, it makes Itunes look good. :-(

Druid

[hongman]

Hehe. Worse comes to worse, I can always fall back on iPhone. Yes want something different for a change, but at least I know its a safe bet.

[fastdruid]

Although it would be nice to have your own phone rather than hiring Steve's for a bit. ;-)

Druid

[hongman]

Yeah, although Im not sure if that is required now - if Android cant do me sub folders, it's struck off my list!

[SoulKiss]

Yeah, although Im not sure if that is required now - if Android cant do me sub folders, it's struck off my list!

Looks like there will be an alternative app that does this - Improved Email and K9 at a glance may do it.

Some are free, some are pay - so it may cost a couple of quid, but it looks promising.

[hongman]

Does the HTC Hero have wifi?

If so, I probably dont even need a sim card to test it with that I want to test it with?

[SoulKiss]

Does the HTC Hero have wifi?

If so, I probably dont even need a sim card to test it with that I want to test it with?

It probably needs a SIM to be useable - I think a SIM is part of the boot up check...

It does have WiFi tho, so I'll stick an SD card in it, wipe it, and carry it tomorrow, if you turn up at Soho then you can take it and I'll get it back sometime, I'm only intending using it as an emergency backup :)

[hongman]

Cheers!

Ill try make it to Soho ;)

[ThEGr33k]

It probably needs a SIM to be useable - I think a SIM is part of the boot up check...

It does have WiFi tho, so I'll stick an SD card in it, wipe it, and carry it tomorrow, if you turn up at Soho then you can take it and I'll get it back sometime, I'm only intending using it as an emergency backup :)

Im not certain about it needing a sim. I dont think mine does but it does complain about not having one. :rolleyes:

[Bluepete]

Hero phones work fine on wifi without a sim.

I'm looking at the galaxy s2 at the end of the month. Big, amoled screen, dual core doodad and i believe you can even phone people on it!

What will they think of next?

Pete ;)

[hongman]

SUB FOLDERS!?!

Nah :( Hehe.

[fastdruid]

I bet it'll munch its battery! Turn on everything on my galaxy S and I can drain it in a few hours.

Druid

[SoulKiss]

Hero phones work fine on wifi without a sim.

I'm looking at the galaxy s2 at the end of the month. Big, amoled screen, dual core doodad and i believe you can even phone people on it!

What will they think of next?

Pete ;)

Im not certain about it needing a sim. I dont think mine does but it does complain about not having one. :rolleyes:

Thought as much - I knew for certain it nagged, wasn't sure about the requirement tho.

[SoulKiss]

Hero phones work fine on wifi without a sim.

I'm looking at the galaxy s2 at the end of the month. Big, amoled screen, dual core doodad and i believe you can even phone people on it!

What will they think of next?

Pete ;)

Xperia Play, I can play Wipeout 2097 and GT1/GT2 and Final Fantasty 7 on my phone now :)

[hongman]

I dont get gaming on mobile phones.

Must eat the battery, so when you need it for anythiing else its dead. Small.

I have a DS, PSP, PS3 and Xbox now and I dont use any of them lol. I mainly use the PS3 as a media centre, everything else was free or gift. Son enjoys them though ;)

[Bluepete]

Xperia Play, I can play Wipeout 2097 and GT1/GT2 and Final Fantasty 7 on my phone now :)

But then a big boy might come along and steal your toy. ;)

I don't use my PS3, so didn't fancy it.

Pete ;)

[aaron020873]

i have an xperia x10, and although it is a very good phone i'm tempted to stay away from sony ericsson for my next phone, due to the fact they don't seem interested in keeping upto speed with the latest version of android once the phone has been released. It took ages to get android 2.1, and most other makes are running 2.2 and 2.3 now..

[SoulKiss]

i have an xperia x10, and although it is a very good phone i'm tempted to stay away from sony ericsson for my next phone, due to the fact they don't seem interested in keeping upto speed with the latest version of android once the phone has been released. It took ages to get android 2.1, and most other makes are running 2.2 and 2.3 now..

Actually thats common across ALL manufacturers - there are actually good reasons for doing this, but it still sucks

[ThEGr33k]

Actually thats common across ALL manufacturers - there are actually good reasons for doing this, but it still sucks

To be fair though SE were particularly bad. And lets face it, most of what these companies put on are pointless and crap, and from what I have seen SE was the worst for that too.

I have however read that they have worked on fixing this with lighter and easier transferable UI integration, so they might be better.

Most of not keeping up is lazyness/trying to get more sales with newer phones.

HTC seem ok, Samsung atm seem ok, LG, little slower but not bad.

If you want the latest and greatest, the Nexus S is the one you want.

[hongman]

Update...

I now have a brand new iPhone 4 :D

Main reason - it was free hohoho. And I still get my upgrade in July ;)

I was very intrigued at the Windows phones, more so than Android. But this kinda puts an end to it, cant beat free right ;) Just gotta wait for my microsim to come through.

[ThEGr33k]

Update...

I now have a brand new iPhone 4 :D

Main reason - it was free hohoho. And I still get my upgrade in July ;)

I was very intrigued at the Windows phones, more so than Android. But this kinda puts an end to it, cant beat free right ;) Just gotta wait for my microsim to come through.

Free is always nice :)

Notice much change from 3gs?

My mate bought a cheap android phone to see what the buzz was all about and he was very anti Android, he now mentions missing android when he goes back to hi iphone 4. ha ha. Interesting.

Anyway, see hwat happens, some amazing new android phones coming :D :D

[hongman]

I can't use it yet, can't activate it via iTunes without a sim :( so apart from physically, can't yet comment :D I do know loads people with the 4 though and have used them plenty - I know what to expect. Better camera will be the immediate bonus.

Can also sell this 3GS for £150 after. Basically paid for my track day just gone hehe.

[ThEGr33k]

itunes, bane of anyone's life who has to use it. Why cant you just activate it on the phone its self!? Pff

[hongman]

So Apple knows who's phone they are tracking, obviously.