Are there good 3g TB alternatives with HDMI and 4.3" screens?

[BobR]

Those of you who got a Thunderbolt are already having your 4G fun. And that kickstand is pretty neat. Not to mention the potential incredible extended battery life when not using the Verizon network.

But how about those who are willing to live with 3G, or don't have 4G coverage in their areas?

Are there any current Verizon phones with similar features? E.g.

• 4.3" screen
• Hi resolution camera
• Front facing camera
• Potential to run software like Netflix/Skype
• Decent storage
• Relatively fast processor
• Froyo (2.2) or later Android OS
• Plus maybe even HDMI and HID Bluetooth profile...

The Samsung Charge is one possible alternative that doesn't sacrifice 4G, but it's likely to be expensive and many people don't want a Samsung device due to update concerns.

Any thoughts? What were all the Thunderbolt folks considering when the release kept getting delayed?

Thanks!

 

[tropper]

Yeah the Droid X is a great phone

 

[Johnly]

Why not a TB anyway? Just run 3g.

 

[Johnly]

No spy cam on front though.

Yeah the Droid X is a great phone

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

Why not a TB anyway? Just run 3g.

This. The Thunderbolt is the only CDMA phone that can do simultaneous voice and data.

 

[tropper]

No spy cam on front though.

true, but thats the only option especially if HDMI and 4.3 is important.

 

[Johnly]

true, but thats the only option especially if HDMI and 4.3 is important.

I completely agree, droid X is phenomenally great otherwise. I have been in a few situations that data and voice synergism would have been nice.

 

[Bossxii]

This. The Thunderbolt is the only CDMA phone that can do simultaneous voice and data.

Voice and data on 3G, or only once you have LTE coverage?

 

[VideoEngineerAJS]

Voice and data on 3G, or only once you have LTE coverage?

Over 3G

 

[Forgetful]

iphone 4,


Or droid x are your only options on xzw

 

[BobR]

Interesting... no wonder folks dove on the Thunderbolt so heavily despite some "early adopter" issues. There's really no contest. In fact, it sounds like there's not a more dominant phone coming anytime in April. The other phones will all involve trade-offs...

*) Samsung Charge brings a vibrant screen, HDMI and maybe better battery life with the standard battery. Plus hope that it supports HID Bluetooth profile for those that might care. But at the cost of a higher price, no kickstand, less sturdy feeling construction, FM Radio(?), less memory(?), no 32g included storage card(?), and concern about future Android OS upgrades. The question marks are because I don't have complete final specs for the Charge yet.

*) Droid X appears to be older generation technology overall, has no front facing camera and no HDMI either. But it's cheap and currently available.

*) iPHone - well that's a whole philosophical discussion there, but I don't think many people waiting eagerly for an Adroid phone are going to buy the iPhone. I considered it myself because I'd like the compatibility with my iPad, but I'm too frustrated with the closed system philosophy. It still frustrates me that I can't use a mouse with the iPad, that the camera card adapter doesn't provide general access to the file system, that certain programs are forced out of the app store, that I have to use iTunes for everything, etc etc.

Of course, this discussion is meant to be a lot wider than just my own phone search. It's a lot more interesting that way. But to give a peek under the veil a bit at my situation - if I wasn't so hot to get HDMI and the HID profile for keyboard and mouse, and if the weight of the extended battery wasn't an issue, I'd have a Thunderbolt in my pocket already. But those considerations, plus the handful of miscellaneous quirks that need to be resolved with patches, keep me from pulling the trigger until I consider at least one more option. For anyone wanting to get in on the (so-called) unlimited data plan, that only other option seems to be the Samsung Charge.

I'm guessing that my situation is not unique, so unless the Charge is a real standout, I have a feeling there could be a surge of Thunderbolt purchases over the next two weeks or so!

 

[dbdynsty25]

Bob...last I checked, the Droid X I have on my desk does have an HDMI port on it. Not sure where you got your info.

 

[Bossxii]

Over 3G

Hole E Crap! You sir just sold VZW an TBolt I use that feature a ton (mainly data tethered/taking calls) on my iPhone but hate AT&T's coverage outside of metro area's. I have been watching the ThunderBolt and am so ready to swap carriers but was hesitant to do so until LTE shows up here in KC. If it works in 3G mode I will be buying one today.

Thanks!!

 

[tropper]

@BobR
The DX may be older tech but it is a very solid phone in the 3G 4.3" screen dept.

 

[BobR]

Sure enough... the Motorola page indicates there is an HDMI cable.
DROID X by Motorola - Android phone - HD phone - Tech Specs - Motorola Mobility, Inc. USA

And it may be that the Android 2.1 is out of date - the Verizon Froyo update is probably already available.

I'm going to have to take another look at the x as a valid option.

Great input.

 

[dbdynsty25]

The X is already on Froyo (2.2) and Gingerbread (2.3) is rolling out as we speak to a select few...so it's coming shortly.

 

[dbdynsty25]

Hole E Crap! You sir just sold VZW an TBolt I use that feature a ton (mainly data tethered/taking calls) on my iPhone but hate AT&T's coverage outside of metro area's. I have been watching the ThunderBolt and am so ready to swap carriers but was hesitant to do so until LTE shows up here in KC. If it works in 3G mode I will be buying one today.

I know quite a few At&t IPhone owners that are doing the same thing...they were just waiting for Verizon to carry a phone that does both voice and data at the same time. I've tested it in front of them a few times because everyone wants to see it actually work...now is the time.