SE Satio or HTC Hero?

[andyturner28]

Cant decide between these two. I have read that the camera on the HTC isn't that good at capturing action shots... is this true and how bad is it? The reason being is that i am a very keen mountain biker and we often session drop offs, jumps etc and take a lot of pictures and videos of each other to put up on our forum (www.sketchymtb.co.uk if anyone is interested), so the camera and video capability is very important. I know the Satio has a better camera but i have heard a lot of good things about the Android operating system of the HTC and was keen to give it a try, but if the camera is THAT bad then i'll have to stick with Symbian on the SE.

[NicolasB]

If video is a priority then you should maybe check out the Samsung i8910 HD (which also runs Symbian, incidentally). It can capture video at 1280x720.

[RobM]

Make sure you check out online video examples before making a choice. Resolution is one thing, but quality is not dependant on resolution.

You can record crap quality at 720p and great quality at VGA. No one factor alone is going to make or break it, so either find a way of getting your hands on one as a demo or check out online reviews and clips.

[andyturner28]

I've been thinking of getting the Samsung for ages, but a friend has a HTC and thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread, which made me think about the HTC Hero. I have also read on here that there is some issues with the Samsung's video recording... something about the sound being out of sink? I am also aware that cheap HD cameras can be worse than decent SD, as an example another couple of mates have helmet cameras, one a SD Panasonic bullet cam hooked up to a DV camcorder, the other an all in one HD camera, and the SD bullet cam is much much better. So this got me thinking about the Satio. Lower resolution but SE have always had decent cameras. So which is better between the Samsung and SE, as i think it is now between these two? Hmm decisions decisions...

[theshabster]

I'm in a similar position to yourself.

I was considering the HTC Hero, but the more I read into reviews, the more I felt that it wasn't quite what I'm looking for.

I've now decided to give the Satio a go, & if I don't like the phone I'll return it & wait for the HTC HD2 to be released (within the next few weeks).

[andyturner28]

Originally Posted by theshabster

I'm in a similar position to yourself.

I was considering the HTC Hero, but the more I read into reviews, the more I felt that it wasn't quite what I'm looking for.

I've now decided to give the Satio a go, & if I don't like the phone I'll return it & wait for the HTC HD2 to be released (within the next few weeks).

Any idea what network the HD 2 will be released on? Dose the HD1 have a better camera than the Hero?

[theshabster]

Originally Posted by andyturner28

Any idea what network the HD 2 will be released on? Dose the HD1 have a better camera than the Hero?

HD2 is confirmed for Vodafone, T-Mobile & O2.

No confirmation as to whether or not Orange or 3 will be stocking the phone, but there's every chance.

Unsure about the camera on the HD1, but my guess is that the Hero would have the slight edge.

[andyturner28]

You know, i am starting to think it might be better if i just stop being such a lazy **** and actually get my camera out now and then, and get the phone i really want. But it's such a faff having to take the Camelback off every time to get my brick of a camera out, and by the time i'm ready again everyone else has ridden off Agh i'm going to go mad before i ever come to a decision. At least i have until the end of the month to decide.

[theshabster]

Originally Posted by andyturner28

You know, i am starting to think it might be better if i just stop being such a lazy **** and actually get my camera out now and then, and get the phone i really want. But it's such a faff having to take the Camelback off every time to get my brick of a camera out, and by the time i'm ready again everyone else has ridden off Agh i'm going to go mad before i ever come to a decision. At least i have until the end of the month to decide.

Go for the Satio fella.

I like you, would like a decent camera on my phone.

I'd like it with xenon flash & a half decent lens - with decent VGA or HD video.

I'd also like it to be a decent smartphone.


Unfortunately there isn't yet a phone on the market that covers all of the above bases, but I'm hoping that the Satio will come close to sufficing my needs.

[andyturner28]

Originally Posted by theshabster

Go for the Satio fella.

I like you, would like a decent camera on my phone.

I'd like it with xenon flash & a half decent lens - with decent VGA or HD video.

I'd also like it to be a decent smartphone.


Unfortunately there isn't yet a phone on the market that covers all of the above bases, but I'm hoping that the Satio will come close to sufficing my needs.

I am definitely swaying in that general direction. I have been happy with the Symbian S60 OS on the N95 and N97, but they were both a bit unstable. Do you know if the Satio version is any better?

[theshabster]

Originally Posted by andyturner28

I am definitely swaying in that general direction. I have been happy with the Symbian S60 OS on the N95 and N97, but they were both a bit unstable. Do you know if the Satio version is any better?

Too early to tell for sure, but initial reviews seem positive.

I'm going to order the phone & then trial it for a week or two - if I'm not happy with it, then Vodafone will allow me to return it.

[andyturner28]

Right, had a go on a Satio in a Vodaphone shop today and wasn't that impressed. Looks really nice and takes good pictures, but it's basically the same as the N97 to use (hardly surprising given that they are both S60 OS) but i would just get board with it, so will definitely get a HTC. Now have to decide between the Hero or the HD 2 which i believe Vodaphoe and T Mobile are getting in towards the end of the month? Sooo, Google Android or Windows mobile???? Haven't used either so have no idea which is best. A mate uses his WM phone as a GPS with Ordinance Survey maps which he can use to plot routes off road and prefers it to proper Garmin GPS units, so that is very tempting....

[theshabster]

The Satio also has GPS.

In an ideal world, the HD2 would be running Android - but we don't live in an ideal world

I'd still personally opt for the HD2 - That's my backup plan if the Satio doesn't please when it's delivered later today.

[andyturner28]

So in your opinion is Android better than Windows mobile?

Oh and i know the Satio has GPS, but as far as i know there is nothing available for S60 phones that allows you to use OS mapping, and to plot routes off road/in the woods etc, which is what i would like. Anyone know if you can do this on Android?

[Jockster]

In my opinion I would go for an Android device over S60 any day! The Satio does have a really good camera but the software is clunky compared to the Android platform on the HTC Hero and I've used both.