[Razor]

I am looking to upgrade my phone in the next 4 weeks. I am upgrading from a Sony Xperia X1 which is a windows mobile phone. I dont mind winmo and I have no problems using it. The main reason why I am upgrading is that the screen has broken twice on this phone and the bluetooth connection has a mind of its own ie it drops out all the time.

I use the bluetooth headset to make all my calls so this feature is important to me. I also like to surf the web a on my phone and have a web bolt on with O2.

Everyone seems to rave about the iPhone and I must say I have kind of avoided it due to it being an Apple product and that fact that the older iPhone wasnt as feature rich. What is attracting me to the iPhone is the sheer amount of apps that are out for it and it also seems to have some games which would be nice.

What are the bad points on the iPhone? Is the battery life good or poor? I read allot of mixed reviews on the battery life on these phones. Lastly is web browsing any good on these phones?

The HD2 looks like a very nice phone with a nice high res screen which is the same res as my Sony X1. Its a bit bigger than the iPhone with a faster cpu and better camera.

Any advice or help on these two phones would be really appreciated.

BTW I am not too fussed about the camera as I have a 2nd phone which has a 8 megapixel camera a Sony W995.

[Moosh]

Hello mate

I too have a broken X1. The screen will only work in landscape or if it's moved a few millimetres to the right, in portrait.

I've just ordered myself a HD2 (http://www.avforums.com/forums/htc-m...l#post10817062).

I didn't consider the iPhone as a replacement because like you have said, it's an Apple product. Also it's a very closed platform and having had the high resolution screen of the X1, I wanted a phone with the same.

Browser speed:
YouTube - HTC HD2 Vs Acer neoTouch Vs iPhone: Web browsing

Now obviously you'd expect the HD2 to be super fast when it comes to rendering pages because of its 1GHz Snapdragon process.

But as for which has the best browser, I've no idea! The HD2 runs Opera Mobile 9.7.

BTW: I'm not trying to start a flame war, just giving my opinion.

Cheers
Moosh

[Razor]

Hello Moosh,

Your display went too on the X1. Thats poor. In all the years of owning phones I have never had a screen me on me, except on the X1.


The walled garden is what initially put me off the iPhone but it seems that there are allot of good apps and games to be had on this platform.

I like winmo and it has improved allot over the years especially if you use an app like SPB Mobile with it.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the HD2 when it arrives. Also how big is it in the hand the Sony X1 is tiny compared to allot of smart phones.

[Moosh]

I'll post my initial thoughts after I've had a play.

I know that Microsoft's store has just launched and in time will grow but Apple did get the jump on every one. Also, there are a lot of WinMo applications out there but not in one easy to reach place.

I did play with the Leo (the other name for the HD2) ROM from XDA and flashed my X1 with that. I have to say that I was very, very impressed with it. Hopefully, on the hardware it was designed to run on, it will be even better!

The raw WinMo 6.5 is a huge improvement over 6.1 as it is a lot more finger friendly. And the 6.5.1 update is supposed to be even better.

Cheers
Moosh

[Razor]

If the HD2 is a iphone beater I might just be swayed. I really am 50/50 at the moment.

I think the HD2 will be a good phone for web browsing. Larger screen and faster cpu should help give it the edge.

[djstriker2009]

i would go for the hd 2 cause the i phone is a lot of money for nothing and the htc hd2 is a lot of money for a lot of phone if ya het me

[Razor]

Originally Posted by djstriker2009

i would go for the hd 2 cause the i phone is a lot of money for nothing and the htc hd2 is a lot of money for a lot of phone if ya het me

Both phones should be free on my tariff.

[djstriker2009]

well if it was me i would go for the hd to i like htc phones but it all depends on what u like and check some reviews see what other ppl think to

[addyb]

Id get the HD2 mate! Thats what im doing. I liked my iphone when i first got it but after nearly 3 years im totally sick of it. Its too locked down for my liking. You cant do anything with it really. Sure it has lots of apps but the majority of these are pointless and overhyped.

Media playback is good although i cannot stand itunes.
Camera is ok i suppose.
Web browser is excellent

Oh and the iphone has recently become the phone to have with the inclusion of MMS (2002 anyone?) and copy and paste! Wowza!!

[Mr Moon]

I currently have the first HTC HD and should be able to upgrade soon. Like yourselves I'm put off by Apple's lock down stance and having to use itunes, I'm sure its a good phone but a bit common.

I am looking at the HD2, I popped into vodafone store in Reading yesterday and they only had a dummy version of HD2 which is slightly bigger than HD1 but thinner. I'm not sure if it will be available on orange.

My I only concern with HD2 is wm 6.5, wish it was Android

[Razor]

Mr Moon - How big is the HD2 in the flesh? Its only 5mm wider and taller than the iphone? Is it noticeably bigger or does it look the same?


Addyb - I too hate itunes with a passion. Its probably another reason why I have avoided an iphone. Are the games on the iphone any good? I fancy having a few games in my pocket for the odd time I waiting for a meting. The winmobile platform dosnt really have any games and what games it does have is reliant on hard button controls.

[addyb]

I will say that the games are great on the iPhone. Some use an onscreen dpad whilst others rely on the tilt sensors etc.

Some work well whilst others are poor. Some of the driving games work well and visually look fantastic considering it's on a phone.

Guitar rock hero 2, arkanoid, busta move and paper toss are my personal favs.

I just don't use any games or apps anymore on my iphone. Once you take these away your left with a nice looking but very limited piece of kit.

[Mr Moon]

Originally Posted by Razor

Mr Moon - How big is the HD2 in the flesh? Its only 5mm wider and taller than the iphone? Is it noticeably bigger or does it look the same?


Addyb - I too hate itunes with a passion. Its probably another reason why I have avoided an iphone. Are the games on the iphone any good? I fancy having a few games in my pocket for the odd time I waiting for a meting. The winmobile platform dosnt really have any games and what games it does have is reliant on hard button controls.

I compared HD2 against my HD1, the screen is big but its thinner and it felt ok to handle, but then I've got big hands

can't really say comparing the iphone and HD2

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Razor

Mr Moon - How big is the HD2 in the flesh? Its only 5mm wider and taller than the iphone? Is it noticeably bigger or does it look the same?

It is noticeably bigger - though that's mostly because the screen is so huge. It's thinner than the iPhone. It's a bit heavier, but doesn't really feel it.

[Razor]

I think I will have to pop down to a phone shop and have a look at it in the flesh. The size is one thing I like about this phone ie the big screen but I don't want to be carrying around a bulky phone. Its one reason why I went for my Sony X1 as it was so small.

[Mr Moon]

I know I'm going slighty off topic, I've only seen a dummy version of HD2 and Xperia X10 due for release in Feb, I'm tempted to wait and see how X10 handles with sony's flavour of Android OS.

[Razor]

I have never used an Android phone. The first gen models looked so ugly it put me off buying one. The sony X10 however looks very nice.

[Moosh]

Hi Razor

I received my HD2 yesterday and have taken some photos of it compared to the X1. As you can see, it is a lot larger than the X1 but it is thinner.

I'll write a bit more about the phone when I've taken some more pics and have got 5 minutes to post.

Cheers
Moosh

[Razor]

Thanks for sharing Moosh. I love your dimensions Big and Big.

I would love to see what you think of the HD2 compared to the X1. Also what is the phone like in the pocket, is it comfortable and noticeable? I never really notice my X1 in my pocket.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by Razor

Thanks for sharing Moosh. I love your dimensions Big and Big.

I would love to see what you think of the HD2 compared to the X1. Also what is the phone like in the pocket, is it comfortable and noticeable? I never really notice my X1 in my pocket.

It actually does say "big and big" on the actual box mate! Its not something moosh has scribbled on!

[leeb-1977]

my brother has the HD2 and its a great phone - but for me personally theres not a hope in hell of it dragging me away from my iphone.

if your into games at all then the iphone wins hands down, tons of apps (although there are LOADS that most of us will never use), web browser is superb (although no flash support), media capabilities are great - i mean.... i cant see any reason why i would want to jump ship.

The one major downside to the iphone (and ive been told the hd2 isnt any better) is battery life - expect to be charging on a daily basis.

I admit to only having a ten minute play on the HD2 - but there was nothing there to convince me it was superior in any way. Im on my third iphone now (after having the 2g and 3g before my 3gs) and if i had to choose another phone now theres still nothing that could tempt me away.

[Razor]

Originally Posted by addyb

It actually does say "big and big" on the actual box mate! Its not something moosh has scribbled on!

I see. I thought it was Moosh.

Originally Posted by leeb-1977

my brother has the HD2 and its a great phone - but for me personally theres not a hope in hell of it dragging me away from my iphone.

if your into games at all then the iphone wins hands down, tons of apps (although there are LOADS that most of us will never use), web browser is superb (although no flash support), media capabilities are great - i mean.... i cant see any reason why i would want to jump ship.

The one major downside to the iphone (and ive been told the hd2 isnt any better) is battery life - expect to be charging on a daily basis.

I admit to only having a ten minute play on the HD2 - but there was nothing there to convince me it was superior in any way. Im on my third iphone now (after having the 2g and 3g before my 3gs) and if i had to choose another phone now theres still nothing that could tempt me away.

Thanks for posting up. Games are something I really want to have on my next phone. Games on most phones inc winmo phones are weak to say the least due to the poor controls. The range of games on the winmo phones is also really poor.

I think the HD2 is probably the superior phone technically but if the apps and games arent there then its a bit wasted, at least for me. What games can you recomend for the iphone so i can go and have a little read up.

[RobM]

Originally Posted by Razor

I think the HD2 is probably the superior phone technically but if the apps and games arent there then its a bit wasted, at least for me. What games can you recomend for the iphone so i can go and have a little read up.

This has been the theme with the iPhone since it's launch. Some people 'get it' and others don't.

There have always been phones that are technically superior to the iPhone and I've no reason to doubt that will change. But the iPhone UI combined with the iTunes/App Store ecosystem still put it ahead of the competition for most users, especially where applications and games are concerned.

Windows Mobile has a wealth of applications available but as yet aren't as easily accessible and easy to manage as the iPhone.

That's not a complaint against Windows Mobile, but for most consumers, your average Joe on the street, it's only become attractive since HTC et el have hidden it from people.

[addyb]

Yeah it all depends if you want something instantly accessible or something that you probably will have to configure a bit to get it how you like.

Ive no regrets about buying an iphone nearly 3 years ago but its come to a point where im frankly sick to death of how locked down it is. I hate itunes with a passion and to be honest most of the games have pretty crap controls with it being touch screen based. There are a few gems and the games certainly do look impressive but a lot are let down by unfunctional controls.

Anyone looking for there first smartphone can really do no wrong picking up an iphone but if you want to customise a lot then you may be disappointed.

Take away the app store from the iphone and you take away its heart!

[RobM]

I don't entirely agree... spend some time reading through the iPhone Jailbreak forum and you'll find countless different examples of the way people have customised their iPhone to do exactly what they need or want it to do. Some are as simple as a theme, others have used SSH to get at the root of the code and really change the guts of it.

I'd be surprised if you could do much more in this regard on a WM phone than you can on an iPhone and I'd definitely be interested in hearing examples of this.

I do agree that the controls of some games are poor, but in my experience these are usually the ports from other platforms, such as the MegaDrive. Sonic, for example, is a nightmare!

[addyb]

Originally Posted by RobM83

I don't entirely agree... spend some time reading through the iPhone Jailbreak forum and you'll find countless different examples of the way people have customised their iPhone to do exactly what they need or want it to do. Some are as simple as a theme, others have used SSH to get at the root of the code and really change the guts of it.

I'd be surprised if you could do much more in this regard on a WM phone than you can on an iPhone and I'd definitely be interested in hearing examples of this.

I do agree that the controls of some games are poor, but in my experience these are usually the ports from other platforms, such as the MegaDrive. Sonic, for example, is a nightmare!

Even after jailbreaking you cant really customise the iphone imo. Sure you can set themes etc but the core grid like display is rigid in place and id like to be able to customise my display and set it how i want.

Jailbreaking lets you install some half decent 3rd party software but the iphone is still heavily locked down imo.

With the HD2 you can fully customise it with a variety of roms created by the devs at xda.

[Razor]

I have had 4 winmo phones over the years and it has improved a fair bit over that time. Apps like spb mobile mean you never have to see the OS and everything is easy to use with a finger rather than the fiddly stylus.

I guess like Addyb I might be just a bit bored of winmo and the lack of games or apps to play around with when waiting for a meeting or the odd moment when I want to play with my phone. This is making me look else where.

I am not a fan of itunes for the ipod and I actually hate it with a passion, but I will use it if I have to.

If gaming on the iphone is a no go then thats a big plus point for the iphone which is now gone. I was hoping that the controls would save it as this is what always lets down games on mobiles. Maybe I should just stick to my psp for mobile gaming.

Web browsing on my current winmo sony x1 is ok, but it can be painfully slow at times. If either of these phones are faster and better with the web then this will be a very good plus point.


Addyb when you say the iphone is very locked down, which I have heard a fair times now. What do you mean by this? What cant it do that is blocked by apple?

[RobM]

Originally Posted by addyb

Even after jailbreaking you cant really customise the iphone imo. Sure you can set themes etc but the core grid like display is rigid in place and id like to be able to customise my display and set it how i want.

Like this, you mean? Courtesy of GaryD

[RobM]

Originally Posted by Razor

If gaming on the iphone is a no go then thats a big plus point for the iphone which is now gone. I was hoping that the controls would save it as this is what always lets down games on mobiles. Maybe I should just stick to my psp for mobile gaming.

What sort of games do you like to play? I can honestly say that games such as Need for Speed, Worms, Tetris, Crash Bandicoot NitroKart etc have great and very easy to master controls.

Even the quirky iPhone specifics such as my favourite, Minigore, are really easy to get into.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by Razor

I have had 4 winmo phones over the years and it has improved a fair bit over that time. Apps like spb mobile mean you never have to see the OS and everything is easy to use with a finger rather than the fiddly stylus.

I guess like Addyb I might be just a bit bored of winmo and the lack of games or apps to play around with when waiting for a meeting or the odd moment when I want to play with my phone. This is making me look else where.

I am not a fan of itunes for the ipod and I actually hate it with a passion, but I will use it if I have to.

If gaming on the iphone is a no go then thats a big plus point for the iphone which is now gone. I was hoping that the controls would save it as this is what always lets down games on mobiles. Maybe I should just stick to my psp for mobile gaming.

Web browsing on my current winmo sony x1 is ok, but it can be painfully slow at times. If either of these phones are faster and better with the web then this will be a very good plus point.


Addyb when you say the iphone is very locked down, which I have heard a fair times now. What do you mean by this? What cant it do that is blocked by apple?

Basically your stuck with the OS and how it looks on screen. All you can do is add extra icons to the grid formation and move them around a little. You cant multi task either. So to access one program you have to fully come out of the app your in. Really annoying if your in the middle of something and you get a text message etc.

I guess im just tired of how the iphone is setout. The grid formation layout looks tired to me now. I just feel that i cant do anything with it. Well i cant but you know what i mean! lol.

As for portable gaming the psp absolutely hammers the iphone when it comes to this. Dont expect the iphone games to be a match or replacement for psp or ds games because there nowhere near in the same league imo.