Torn Between Nexus One and Droid

[anaphora68]

Hi All -

So here's the deal. I'm currently using the Palm Pre on Sprint. I'm a former iPhone 3G user (I didn't like being slaved to Apple's eco-system).

I made the mistake of messing around with a Droid at Best-Buy last weekend. It honestly made my Pre feel like a junky POS. Problem is, I'm on Sprint and would have to eat my contract (been with Sprint for a year). I doubt there is any hope of the Droid coming to Sprint.

How happy is everyone with the Droid? Can you see yourself keeping it for the next two years? Has anyone used it against a Nexus One? Even if Sprint gets the Nexus one, I don't really want to deal with paying full price for the phone. That, and I don't think the Snapdragon is all that much faster than the ARM Cortex processor running in the Droid.

Thoughts, opinions?

 

[anaphora68]

Oh, and I've used the HTC Hero. I intensely, intensely dislike Sense, and refuse to use it. It ruined the Android experience for me.

 

[Dapke36]

Hi All -
I made the mistake of messing around with a Droid at Best-Buy last weekend. It honestly made my Pre feel like a junky POS. Problem is, I'm on Sprint and would have to eat my contract (been with Sprint for a year). I doubt there is any hope of the Droid coming to Sprint.

How happy is everyone with the Droid? Can you see yourself keeping it for the next two years? Has anyone used it against a Nexus One? Even if Sprint gets the Nexus one, I don't really want to deal with paying full price for the phone. That, and I don't think the Snapdragon is all that much faster than the ARM Cortex processor running in the Droid.

Thoughts, opinions?

Personally, I love my Droid. After fooling around with Blackberries, which I literally went though once every 3 months, I finally got the Droid. Although I have only had it for 5 months now, I like everything about it. It is very customizable, very rugged (esp the metal bodywork), and there is a large user base out there for support, help, etc.

The Droid will never come to Sprint, IMO. It's too much of Verizon's flagship phone right now, and by the time that wanes, sprint will have the EVO.

I can't comment on the Nexus One, since i've never owned one. However, I can say that my Droid has never felt laggy, and if you wanted more speed, you can always overclock.

It is too bad you do not like Sense, because I would say wait out the year and then go get the EVO 4G. That is going to be a very nice phone. But, if you happen to bail ship, you will not be dissatisfied with the Droid. Especially since it can now be bought for as little as $25 with a new contract.

 

[Magnious]

To be honest, if you don't mind T-Mobile, just get the Nexus one. The software is better, google is releasing new hardware. The only difference is the keyboard. But, because it sucks on the droid..I never use it. But, if you like Verizon (It is personally my favorite carrier), than either get the Droid OR wait for the Incredible/Nexus 1 to come out on Verizon!

 

[anaphora68]

Well, my one issue with T-Mobile is spotty coverage. I'm in Philly, and they have horrible reception here. I also travel quite a bit, and I'm in areas where the cell service is somewhat spotty. I've been fine with Sprint, but I know I would be without coverage with T-Mo.

The one thing that gives me pause with the Nexus One is the lack of a physical keyboard. I drool over the AMOLED screen, but the keyboard gives me pause. I like having the option of the Android keyboard, or a full keyboard.

We'll see. Part of this depends on my better half deciding she is ok with it. Her birthday is next month, so maybe she'd take the Droid as an early gift. She has a BB Tour and misses having a full screen, etc.

 

[Romple]

The N1 does have a nice screen. However if you do A LOT of reading on your phone like I do, the Droid beats it out easily. Fonts on Droid >>> on N1.

 

[anaphora68]

Sweet, thanks everyone for the input. I think I've settled on the Droid, but we'll see. I have to convince my wife to switch, too. Should be pretty easy, since she hates her BB and I made her get rid of her iPhone many moons ago...

 

[anaphora68]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their insight. Despite the announcements coming soon, I picked up two Droids today (one for me, one for my wife). Suffice it to say, this puts my Pre, and her Curve, to absolute shame. They feel like toys in comparison.

Android 2.1 is a complete dream compared to 1.6, and the phone itself is so well engineered.

Anyway, thanks! I'll be seeing all of you on the forums.

 

[li2327]

Congrats on your choice. I'm sure you're going to love it.

 

[Duvi]

I would say to wait for Sprint's EVO. Even if you do not like Sense, they'll probably be custom roms to remove it anyways.

I got the Nexus One and have tried the Droid and I prefer the N1. The N1's screen is definitely nicer and the speed is noticeable (to me at least) if you keep both devices stock. I mostly noticed it in the browser.

One of the things I dislike about the N1 is the keyboard. I have a 3Gs and the auto-correction is a lot better on the iPhone. So this may be where you'd want the physical kb on the Droid.

Whatever your choice, Android is an excellent platform.

 

[takeshi]

I made the mistake of messing around with a Droid at Best-Buy last weekend.

The mistake was actually not having tried it earlier.

One of the things I dislike about the N1 is the keyboard. I have a 3Gs and the auto-correction is a lot better on the iPhone. So this may be where you'd want the physical kb on the Droid.

I wouldn't recommend using the Droid's physical keyboard as a selling point unless you've actually tried it and determined you like it (placing you in a very tiny minority). I'm saying that as a former BB user that insisted on BB's with full qwerty keyboards. Swype is what I mostly use these days.

 

[MrSmith317]

Isn't the N1 made by HTC...?? Isn't HTC notorious for hardware issues? I mean Moto is far from perfect but I'd personally always go with Moto over HTC(Except if I was on ATT and stuck with the backflip...yikes). I love my droid. If it had a better physical keyboard it would be for lack of better term...perfect.

 

[Duvi]

The mistake was actually not having tried it earlier.


I wouldn't recommend using the Droid's physical keyboard as a selling point unless you've actually tried it and determined you like it (placing you in a very tiny minority). I'm saying that as a former BB user that insisted on BB's with full qwerty keyboards. Swype is what I mostly use these days.

I've tried it and hated it, but I have never liked physical keyboards to begin with. I know a lot of people who love it and that's the reason I used "this may be" as there is a chance he may think it's the best thing since sliced bread. He also mentioned he would like to be afforded the option of using the touchscreen of physical keyboard.

 

[Romple]

Physical keyboard makes playing any emulator (nes, snes, etc..) a lot easier I'd get a Droid just for that!

 

[anaphora68]

I don't mind the Droid's keyboard. It's not the best, but it's not the worst. Like I said, I like to at least have the option. So what if the keyboard isn't the best, it works well enough. Sure, the keyboard on a BB Tour is going to be better, but the screen is tiny...it's always a trade-off.

Regardless, I'm very happy with the Droid. I'm glad I got it.

 

[slinky317]

Oh, and I've used the HTC Hero. I intensely, intensely dislike Sense, and refuse to use it. It ruined the Android experience for me.

I'm pretty sure you can disable the Sense UI on any Android phone. It's in the programs, I believe.

 

[teabiscuit69]

what's with not liking sense? couldn't you just tap the home button like three times or something and get the normal android ui? i know i can with my girlfriend's hero...

also, with the pre, if you get the bodyglove, or that other one with a weird name, they snap around the phone, it almost makes the phone feel like a completely different animal, much more sturdy like.

 

[GenericMessage]

Seems like jumping contract is something you don't want to do, so the Droid seems like a factor of null right now.


When are you due to re-sign? Just wait until then, use your PRE (it works right?) until you have to re-up and get a new phone.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

Seems like jumping contract is something you don't want to do, so the Droid seems like a factor of null right now.


When are you due to re-sign? Just wait until then, use your PRE (it works right?) until you have to re-up and get a new phone.

He already jumped ship... Kinda a bad move since he didn't like the Hero because of sense.... when its easily turned off.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

what's with not liking sense? couldn't you just tap the home button like three times or something and get the normal android ui? i know i can with my girlfriend's hero...

also, with the pre, if you get the bodyglove, or that other one with a weird name, they snap around the phone, it almost makes the phone feel like a completely different animal, much more sturdy like.

I tried the tripple home tap... doesn't work with 2.1 on my hero. You could go into settings... applications... manage applications... htc sense and disable defaults. When you hit home, itll ask you which you want to use Home (basic android) or sense.