4G. So what?

[5G]

All I know is this, 4G = (EQUAL) SPEED. I want that, no matter where I am with my phone, to not have to solely rely on WI-FI connection for a quick browsing experience. I've used VZW 3G network and found myself wanting a faster experience. 4G will undoubtedly provide that.

IMHO, if this is not your primary concern, then there's no need for the Thunderbolt.

Would TB be worth waiting for if it was only capable of 3G speed?

 

[tekhna]

All I know is this, 4G = (EQUAL) SPEED. I want that, no matter where I am with my phone, to not have to solely rely on WI-FI connection for a quick browsing experience. I've used VZW 3G network and found myself wanting a faster experience. 4G will undoubtedly provide that.

IMHO, if this is not your primary concern, then there's no need for the Thunderbolt.

All I know is I've turned on my 4G exactly six times since I bought my Evo, and not once since probably Christmas. If the battery drain is anywhere near what it is on my Evo it's not useful technology at this point. But we just don't know yet.

 

[deltwalrus]

Not really, spec-wise, iPhone 4 and other Android phones compare nicely. Maybe not phones Verizon has, but still.

 

[Mapex]

Yes, with SVDO. This is the frist VZW device that implements it.



Assuming the TB gets it. I'm not as optimistic about that with this device. They need to have alot more LTE coverage before that gets rolled out (my opinion, no proof).

They said both the T-Bolt and Bionic will get VoLTE, but I don't believe it will be before the LG Revolution. There's no reason they couldn't; all that's required is an LTE radio and the ability to make phone calls. It also helps Verizon phase out the infrastructure for 2G and 3G by moving as much as they can to 4G.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-thunderbolt/60268-thunderbolt-bionic-get-volte.html

 

[Mapex]

Would TB be worth waiting for if it was only capable of 3G speed?

Yes and no.

Yes because it would still be the most powerful 3G handset in the market.

No because if it weren't for LTE the Thunderbolt would have been released in November/December/January as the Scorpion/Mecha/Incredible HD/etc. They delayed it specifically for 4G, so your hypothetical situation of waiting into mid-March for a 3G-only device would not be possible.

 

[asianrage]

Then don't buy one.

Well, let's be reasonable. A person can still buy the phone, knowing possible issues and complain about having issues with the phone.

 

[paulmike3]

They said both the T-Bolt and Bionic will get VoLTE, but I don't believe it will be before the LG Revolution. There's no reason they couldn't; all that's required is an LTE radio and the ability to make phone calls. It also helps Verizon phase out the infrastructure for 2G and 3G by moving as much as they can to 4G.

http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-thunderbolt/60268-thunderbolt-bionic-get-volte.html

Here's my post in that thread:

It wasn't as much a confirmation as it was them not interrupting the guy ranting. Panda tweeted last week that VoLTE was not on the roadmap for the TB.

Edit: proof - Twitter

 

[tekhna]

Would TB be worth waiting for if it was only capable of 3G speed?

No, not really. It'd just be another HTC 4.3" slab phone. Like the Inspire, Evo, etc. It's got a nicer chipset than the Evo, but there's nothing special about the Thunderbolt beyond the 4G. That's not a knock, just a fact.

 

[asianrage]

Would TB be worth waiting for if it was only capable of 3G speed?

It wouldn't be worth waiting for. I'd go for the Fascinate or the Incredible 2/S.

 

[DolfanCole]

That's exactly what i want to find out, should i just simply get incredible with tested and working 3g for a 1 year contract and wait til they get this new technology all figured out.

If you mean the Incredible 2, that's a very good question. The Incredible 2 will have almost identical hardware as the Thunderbolt. The exceptions being the screen size (4.3 on the Thunderbolt vs. 4 for the Incredible 2), non-LTE, and possibly the amount of internal/removable memory. I'm not in an LTE area, so that feature doesn't mean much for me. So, it's really how the screen size will play out.

 

[paulmike3]

No, not really. It'd just be another HTC 4.3" slab phone. Like the Inspire, Evo, etc. It's got a nicer chipset than the Evo, but there's nothing special about the Thunderbolt beyond the 4G. That's not a knock, just a fact.

Next gen processor (Netflix capable)? More memory? More storage? Kickstand? Better camera sensor than any 4.3" out there?

There are alot of improvements over every 4.3" that's currently available.

 

[htowngator]

Turn off the LTE radio if you don't want to use it and you'll still get great performance from a phone while on a 3G radio.

 

[htowngator]

Not to mention this phone will use SVDO

SVDO allow simultaneous 1x voice and EVDO data : EVDOinfo.com

 

[deltwalrus]

I am awaiting this phone for two reasons:

1) It's Verizon, not AT&T.
2) It's 4G.

If another phone comes along before the Unicorn that fills both of my requirements, then I'll buy that one. Despite how crappy Motoblur may be.

 

[paulmike3]

Despite how crappy Motoblur may be.

Ew.

 

[libraryclg]

Next gen processor (Netflix capable)? More memory? More storage? Kickstand? Better camera sensor than any 4.3" out there?

There are alot of improvements over every 4.3" that's currently available.

I think it has the same processor as the LG Revolution, so in theory it should have Netflix (I hope).

 

[paulmike3]

I think it has the same processor as the LG Revolution, so in theory it should have Netflix (I hope).

Yep. I was comparing it to the current 4.3" lineup. It's better than all, hands down.

 

[htowngator]

I think it has the same processor as the LG Revolution, so in theory it should have Netflix (I hope).

"In theory", yes, but IMO there is a bit of politicking going on here. LG and Netflix are bedfellows so it's not surprising they'd get it and Bolt might not.

 

[Mapex]

"In theory", yes, but IMO there is a bit of politicking going on here. LG and Netflix are bedfellows so it's not surprising they'd get it and Bolt might not.

Netflix only loses if they don't offer Netflix on the T-Bolt as well. Where are you getting this LG-Netflix partnership idea from? Netflix wants to be on every device, just like what Google and Facebook can achieve. Restricting things is not a game they want to play because it deters customers and opens up possibilities for competitors to win.

I didn't even know the LG Revolution was streaming Netflix at MWC, but since it was then yes indeed the T-Bolt will be getting it as well because they have the same exact processor, the one thing that provides enough security for Netflix to protect their streams on Android devices. Although, I'm sure it will be cracked anyway.