I need a new Android phone, what should I get? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My Desire is starting to feel really outdated due to the tiny amount of internal storage so I'd like to pick up something new. I know there is a Desire HD which looks pretty good, does anyone know if they have a version of it that works with US AT&T 3G (it has to be made for Telstra or Telus since they run the same bands)?
Would you guys recommend the Desire HD? Or would you recommend something else over it? It has to be GSM, work with US AT&T 3G, have lots of internal storage space, and I need to be able to buy it unlocked online. I'm willing to spend about $600 USD or so (but feel free to suggest cheaper phones or more expensive phones if you think I'd like them better).

I'm using a Desire as well.. damn good phone, but yes, its getting very dated, even with running Cm7 and tweaking it to hell for performance lol I'm in canada, but I'm picking up a Galaxy S II next friday. I dont think it's out there yet, but it is due out soon iirc. Id seriously wait for it if you have the money. I've been looking alot, comparing several different phones, but it seems the SGS2 just leads the pack currently, and by quite a bit from the reviews. There are free easy unlock methods online (a couple right on the market) and you can use it on whatever networks you want (our version works across all networks in canada)

I just bought a galaxy s2 from amazon unlocked for 650. It works on att 3g and it's the most future proof phone on three market, but if you hold out you might get a hold of the nexus prime in a couple months. Also if you want something cheaper buy the inspire 4g on ebay or somewhere else. It is the desire hd with att branding and.att.3g bands. Also the development on that phoney is sick. I just sold mine or I would offer it to you for what I sold it for (200).
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^ I'll check out the Inspire. If it's AT&T branded, does that mean they'll have a bunch of useless AT&T links/apps all over, and dev features locked? And will AT&T recognize it as a smart phone (because they don't recognize the Desire as smart phone so I get to use the cheap $15 unlimited internet plan).
To be honest I would like to get an HTC if possible because my last 5 phones have been HTC and I'm basically a fanboy now, lol.

rpimps said:
^ I'll check out the Inspire. If it's AT&T branded, does that mean they'll have a bunch of useless AT&T links/apps all over, and dev features locked? And will AT&T recognize it as a smart phone (because they don't recognize the Desire as smart phone so I get to use the cheap $15 unlimited internet plan).
To be honest I would like to get an HTC if possible because my last 5 phones have been HTC and I'm basically a fanboy now, lol.
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AT&T will recognize it as a smart phone, you should be able to keep your data plan though. Make sure they let you keep your unlimited plan, if the associate can't help ask to talk to a manager, they won't force you to use a limited plan if you already have an unlimited plan. Just make sure you keep the plan cause once it's gone you won't get it back.
The Inspire will come with AT&T crap but that's all easily removed through custom ROM's. The Inspire supports most Desire HD ROM's and visa-a-versa. The Inspire/Desire HD has probably the best developer support of any smart phone, it's a good phone, but the battery is small (1230mAh) and has a huge, battery eating 4.3" display. A lot of people complain about the Inspire's battery life, if you need to make it past a day with moderate usage then stay away from it. Still a good phone though.
I currently have the Atrix 4G and I love it, check it out. The Samsung Galaxy S II looks to be a great phone also.

I'm looking up Inspires on eBay and they're ridiculously cheap (around $300 USD), for example http://www.ebay.com/itm/HTC-Inspire...0600720825?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item43a92719b9
Is this right? When I bought my Desire it was around $600, even the Hero was more than 300, I can't believe the Inspire would be so cheap.
Do branded phones have any features locked, such as usb debugging, installation of non-market apps, etc. or can you do all of those things on them? I am one of those people who likes to stick to stock roms if possible, so I can live with a couple of silly AT&T ringtone apps and whatnot but I can't live with important features missing.

The Inspire is rediculously cheap because it is verging on the older side now after being out for a couple of months, and it isn't dual core. As far as I know, the only locked feature on the Inspire was the install unknown sources, but I think they have already allowed that via an ota update.
About your unlimited plan, yes. You will be able to keep it, and if the rep talking to you says that it isn't possible, ask to talk to their manager or just call back for a different rep. The thing is, your $15 Media Net Unlimited plan is not available for smartphones. They will bump you up the the $30 Unlimited Smartphone plan.

I have the Atrix 4G on AT&T's network. I bought it with a contract ($100) but IIRC they are available online unlocked for $400-600. Really great phone: Lightweight, dual-core, and it looks pretty good too. Although I heard the SGSII was the best Android phone to buy nowadays.

k0sun7eash3d said:
The Inspire is rediculously cheap because it is verging on the older side now after being out for a couple of months, and it isn't dual core. As far as I know, the only locked feature on the Inspire was the install unknown sources, but I think they have already allowed that via an ota update.
About your unlimited plan, yes. You will be able to keep it, and if the rep talking to you says that it isn't possible, ask to talk to their manager or just call back for a different rep. The thing is, your $15 Media Net Unlimited plan is not available for smartphones. They will bump you up the the $30 Unlimited Smartphone plan.
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Hmm, that's not good. So that puts the actual price of the Inspire around $500 (adding in just under 200 for 1 year of the upgraded plan). Right now since the Desire isn't available here I can use it with the cheap plan and still get 3G. Are there any other comparable phones to the Inspire that AT&T doesn't have and that I can run the cheap plan on?

if you can find an unlocked/unbranded xperia play (aka: playstation phone) you should be able to use it on at&t. the only problem is it only has like 350 MegaBytes of internal storage, but it does come with an 8 GigaByte microsd card. it's my current phone (plus it's rooted {and themed with my own custom yellow glow theme}) it's pretty fast, and with root when you delete all the bloatware it gets almost 2 times the battery life . another thing is it isn't dual core (but who gives a crap with playstation controls) heres more info http://www.sonyericsson.com/play/?cc=us&lc=en&cid=sea_xplaylaunch_us_20110206_Google
note: this is MY opinion (never said anybody else agrees). so if you don't agree, go write in your diary or post your disagreeing opinion elsewhere.

edit: nevermind, figured out what was causing the issue

I'd probably also wait for the Nexus Prime.
And you might want to think about that Xiami M1 phone, that is about to come out, you won't find one, that is able to compete price/perfomance.
We'll have to see, how this one actually turns out to be. It it's good, it will at least replayce MY Desire!

loismustdie555 said:
if you can find an unlocked/unbranded xperia play (aka: playstation phone) you should be able to use it on at&t. the only problem is it only has like 350 MegaBytes of internal storage, but it does come with an 8 GigaByte microsd card. it's my current phone (plus it's rooted {and themed with my own custom yellow glow theme}) it's pretty fast, and with root when you delete all the bloatware it gets almost 2 times the battery life . another thing is it isn't dual core (but who gives a crap with playstation controls) heres more info http://www.sonyericsson.com/play/?cc=us&lc=en&cid=sea_xplaylaunch_us_20110206_Google
note: this is MY opinion (never said anybody else agrees). so if you don't agree, go write in your diary or post your disagreeing opinion elsewhere.
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I wouldn't go for the Xperia Play. There's already been talks about it going to AT&T sometime in Q4 2011, and when it does, they'll likely bump you up to a smartphone plan as well. I got caught with the X10. I picked up an unlocked Rogers version a few months before AT&T released it, and the week before it came out, it detected my IMEI and switched me over.

Related

What would you 'upgrade' a Vibrant to?

Suppose you wanted to 'upgrade' a Vibrant to another T-mobile phone. What would you pick?
Considerations: A good GPS, prospect of Ice Cream, no rooting hassles, FM radio?
Galaxy S 4G, G2X, .....?
thats too easy hercules! hercules over sensation any day and dont flame me about samsung updates. It will be a beast of a phone with or without the updates.
My first option would be an international SGS2, but seems like its not comming to TMO any time soon, so i would pick the Hercules.
djluis48 said:
My first option would be an international SGS2, but seems like its not comming to TMO any time soon, so i would pick the Hercules.
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Since it has an unlock already, what stops you from buying it off eBay?
romitkin said:
Since it has an unlock already, what stops you from buying it off eBay?
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He said he was using a TMO upgrade. He is not buying from ebay.
If tmobile dont get sgs2 im probably switching to sprint to get one
first off u cant use a international sgs2 on tmobil but u can on att, its something to do with the bands.
movieaddict said:
first off u cant use a international sgs2 on tmobil but u can on att, its something to do with the bands.
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Actually it will work fine on t-mobile except you would only have edge data
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
but edge is like working with dial up...so basically no! LOL
Hercules if you want a T-Mobile upgrade. I am probably going to buy the SGS2 internationally and go to ATT because the data plan is only $10 if you have an unlocked international phone.
ali1276 said:
Hercules if you want a T-Mobile upgrade. I am probably going to buy the SGS2 internationally and go to ATT because the data plan is only $10 if you have an unlocked international phone.
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For unlimited data? I was upset to here that att is buying T-Mobile because they are expensive but to be honest my data plan is half of my bill with T-Mobile. If it is unlimited is there a gigabyte cap?
Sent from my CM 7.1.0 KANG Vibrant
Not long ago I'd have said the G2X since it is (close to) stock Android. However, in light of it being unavailable currently and until we know if GB will fix the defects it has, I'd have to belay that recommendation in favor of another.
Tentatively, the HTC Sensation, which launches the 15th. HTC generally doesn't bomb on their phone releases, so it should be a sweet device.
If neither one of these, then do not upgrade. They are the only phones improved enough over the vibrant to be worth upgrading to. The G2, MyTouch 4G, etc, are all pretty much "sideways" upgrades and not worth it.
Definatly the nexus s or hercules
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I'm wondering the same thing. My tweenage daughter's line is eligible for an upgrade on TMO in 4 days. She's held onto her feature phone responsibly, so I'm inclined to get her an Android, or steal her upgrade and give her my Vibrant. That would piss her off, but hey, I'm the phone geek and I pay the bill! Might piss off my wife too though... hmmm.
I can switch us to the Family unlimited talk & text plan with 2 GB of data for all 3 lines for $189 before my AAA discount, which should bring it to ~$160/mo. That's about the same as we're paying currently (or a bit less) for 1800 min, Fave 5, $25 Android data x 2, unlimited txt, family allowances. I could also go a bit cheaper, give her 200 min and 200 mb instead of unlimited min/2 GB and save $30/mo.
Has to be Android, preferably vanilla (or easily rooted with good ROMs, ideally CM7 support), definitely 4G. She might prefer a hard keyboard, I don't. She'd probably be thrilled with a MyTouch 4G, I'd prefer something nicer, dual core. Haven't been keeping up with hardware developments, what's out, what's coming... Thoughts?

In need of a good Gingerbread back up phone

My current daily use phone is a rooted Sensation, and my secondary device "was" a G2. I say it "was" because I just gave it to my wife to get her off Blackberry and into the 21st century. Unfortunately that only leaves me with one Android device to mess with, and now I need another backup. I am actually only planning on using the backup phone to test out with my PBX, so it doesnt really matter what network it runs on. I suppose if push came to shove I would want one that could operate on Tmobile USA in case of a pinch, but its really just for internal testing. My only requirement is that the phone runs Gingerbread as that was the first version with a built in SIP client. I see MetroPCS has a Gingerbread device for $79 that I could play with, but I would really like to get something in the $40 to $50 range. Checking on Craigslist all the phones in that price range are either broken or 4 years old. Any suggestions?
I've seen the Samsung Gio go for around 75 bucks prepaid. My friend bought it and it has a smallish screen but fairly good use.
Dataslycer said:
I've seen the Samsung Gio go for around 75 bucks prepaid. My friend bought it and it has a smallish screen but fairly good use.
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I will look into that one, thanks. Any other thoughts?

AT&T SIM to micro SIM

So I'm planning on getting the international version and using it on AT&T because I want the quad core and no bloat. Right now, I have a regular sim card and I know I will have to get a micro sim when I get my phone. Does anyone know if I can go into an AT&T store and have them swap it for me or will they be a$$es about it? I saw AT&T micro sims on Amazon and thought about ordering one and calling AT&T at that point and have them switch it over the phone. Any insight?
AT&T will swap it out without issue... Or at least should the one by me does
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
I've had my SIM swapped over 6 times in 2 years. Just.got a microSIM 3 days ago from the ATT store. It's always free @ an ATT store. Other stores may charge you though. They'll ask for your phone #, photo ID, what device you are using it in, and if you want to change your data plan
Cool, thanks guys. I don't like having to go to them to do a sim switch but I have no choice! No worries on the data plan, they already shafted me last year on that one. Switched me without notice or warning, god I LOVE THEM!
can i just say.. AT&T SGSIII is prob coming out June 20th. thats in like 2 weeks, itll take you that long to get an impossible to find SGSIII imported in. so youre not gonna be getting it any faster ordering it from uk.
as far as bloat.. you can remove it yourself once youre rooted, and there will be custom roms that do it for you..
as for the quadcore, the dualcore AT&T is using is just as fast, and clocked higher, so no noticeable performance differences there.
AT&T's SGSIII will have 2GB of ram, instead of 1GB.
and we just got LTE here in cleveland on AT&T.. im getting over 50kbps dl speeds.. thats not a typo, FIFTY!!! with the international version, youre looking at 4-6kbps MAX
the SGSIII on AT&T will be considerably less, (think 400 dollars less with contract).
these are all things you want to consider before getting the international version. its true in the past importing was always the best way to go, but this year seems like it may be different. id really suggest holding out a few days and seeing what AT&T's official moch up looks like
AT&T doesn't just add bloat...they remove useful or extra features in 90% of the smartphones that are sold for their network & overseas....fm radio, video editor, photo editor, phone tracking/ringing/remote wipe. Those are a few that they removed from the Note & Galaxy S II. And lets not forget that they haven't released ICS updates for those or any smartphone with the exception of the HTC Vivid.
Lol. "That's not a typo." I think you meant Mbps not Kbps.

Buying Advice

I currently have an HTC Vision/G2 (CM 7.2) from Canada that I bought off contract and am using on ATT. I have a special plan from ATT that I don't want to give up - an old 'smartphone' unlimited data plan that is discounted a further 15%. So I am essentially paying $12 a month for unlimited internet. I've used well over 80gigs some months. ATT doesn't seem to be able to recognize my phone type.
Anyway, my current phone is getting a little long in the tooth, so I want to get an S3, but I don't want to get it from ATT on contract and don't want to screw up my data plan. I'm also unsure if I really want the ATT version or the International version, since the international version has a quadcore but lacks LTE. I am also concerned I will miss the physical keyboard.
So my three questions are:
1. If I go with the US version, where can I buy it from other than ATT and not have ATT change my plan?
2. Do I lose a lot with the dual core rather than quad core?
3. Is there a better Android phone I should be looking out for - and maybe one with a keyboard?
Gracias.
As far as buying the device, you can probably buy outright from att even, or look to eBay, Craigslist etc etc.
And to be honest you are not losing much missing out on quad core the second generation s4 inside the siii can go toe to toe really well against the exynos quad ,and you get much better battery life plus lte. And on top of that you get a whopping 2gb ram on the s4 version vs international. IMO all these gains make even the dual core siii a good buy against the international .
As far as your last question, not really, the siii is literally the cream of the crop right now, the best nothing even comes close (maybe the HTC one x) but after having owned both I like the siii much better . The siii is likely to remain the best for a while till at least November when we see the new nexus .
Hope I helped, good luck!
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium

[Q] Switching to Tmobile

Alright, I have an iPhone 5 on Sprint with a family plan. My mum is tired of the bill jumping up for every little thing and paying over $200 for it just to have them shut it off a week later, so I'm going to be moving to tmobile. I have two Photon 4g's, a Nexus 4, an iPhone 4(cracked), and iPhone 5. Out of all my phones they are in near perfect condition except the 4, obviously. I want the HTC One; bad. But I wanted the Nexus 4 bad when I read about that too and now I can't even use it since I'm not on Tmobile. I recently got a new job and things are looking up for me money wise so I'm a bit more comfortable paying my own bills now, but I don't want to go to Tmo just to be paying $100 again. I know about the plan prices and the 'renting' a phone basically, but I plan to pay that all off ASAP.
I need help with two things;
1. Can someone explain the tmobile plans more thoroughly? I know companies always have something not true or stretched and I'm hearing all over commercials Tmo has unlimited everything for $50, but on the website I'm seeing the tag next to it with 500MB of data. Are the commercials not true?
2. Would anyone here recommend trading in some of my already android phones to help pay off the One and it's down payment? The only phone I want to keep is the i5, and maybe my Nexus 4. I don't see the reason to keep two android devices when one is way better than the other, but I want the nexus because I've been reading it's like a hacker/modder/rooter, whatever, play world. Because it's original google then it's just great for rooting and modding. Any input from you all here? It's usually where i come to for all my android needs.
Iyokuu said:
Alright, I have an iPhone 5 on Sprint with a family plan. My mum is tired of the bill jumping up for every little thing and paying over $200 for it just to have them shut it off a week later, so I'm going to be moving to tmobile. I have two Photon 4g's, a Nexus 4, an iPhone 4(cracked), and iPhone 5. Out of all my phones they are in near perfect condition except the 4, obviously. I want the HTC One; bad. But I wanted the Nexus 4 bad when I read about that too and now I can't even use it since I'm not on Tmobile. I recently got a new job and things are looking up for me money wise so I'm a bit more comfortable paying my own bills now, but I don't want to go to Tmo just to be paying $100 again. I know about the plan prices and the 'renting' a phone basically, but I plan to pay that all off ASAP.
I need help with two things;
1. Can someone explain the tmobile plans more thoroughly? I know companies always have something not true or stretched and I'm hearing all over commercials Tmo has unlimited everything for $50, but on the website I'm seeing the tag next to it with 500MB of data. Are the commercials not true?
2. Would anyone here recommend trading in some of my already android phones to help pay off the One and it's down payment? The only phone I want to keep is the i5, and maybe my Nexus 4. I don't see the reason to keep two android devices when one is way better than the other, but I want the nexus because I've been reading it's like a hacker/modder/rooter, whatever, play world. Because it's original google then it's just great for rooting and modding. Any input from you all here? It's usually where i come to for all my android needs.
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1. The $50 "Unlimited" everything gives you unlimited text, talk and 500 MB of "High speed" (4g/LTE/3g depending on your coverage). After you've hit that point they throttle data to 2G "Edge" speeds until the end of the month. They call it unlimited because they won't ever charge you for going over your "high speed" data. For $10 more you can add 2 more GB of high speed data (2.5 GB total) or for $20 more you can get actual unlimited "high speed" data (it might be $20 and $30 more, I'm not sure about single plans, I'm on a family plan and I know those are the rates to upgrade the lines for my family plan).
2. Instead of trading in your phones you could sell them on swappa. You'll definitely get more money through swappa then just trading in at T-Mobile. While it's true the Nexus 4 probably has the most development of any phone out right now, all the roms are a variation of stock android (CyanogenMod, AOKP, Paranoid Android, etc.), which are all awesome, but now that the Google Play Edition of the HTC One is out, you could get the best of both worlds (Sense 5 is really nice also) on an HTC One. The stock Android roms are already very functional and should only get better now that the devs have their hands on the GPE roms.
Having used both, I prefer the Nexus 4, mainly because I like the way it felt in hand more than the HTC One (ALL phones should put their power button on the side IMO). But the HTC One screen and speakers are everything you've heard about them and more, and stock Sense 5 is sooo smooth, and the custom Roms and Kernels add some nice features and help improve the battery life.
Just my $0.02
mcdsmaster8824 said:
now that the Google Play Edition of the HTC One is out, you could get the best of both worlds (Sense 5 is really nice also) on an HTC One.
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I'd look into the Play edition a little more if you're considering it for T-Mobile, I've read that the hardware isn't built to spec on a per carrier basis, and is lacking the radios for the T-Mobile LTE spectrum.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
Wait, so is there a difference between the tmobile version and the google play edition? Also, after a small amount of reading can't I just flash the GPE over to my HTC One from any carrier and it would be the same thing?
OutlawV said:
I'd look into the Play edition a little more if you're considering it for T-Mobile, I've read that the hardware isn't built to spec on a per carrier basis, and is lacking the radios for the T-Mobile LTE spectrum.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app
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^^^^^Correct it is missing the AWS band needed to utilize T-Mobile's 4G. Sorry I meant that now that the GPE is out, converting a T-Mobile HTC One to a GPE should be possible in the near future if OP still wanted to enjoy stock Android.

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