Considering switching from Pre to Hero

[masterchief2124]

I've been switching back and forth between my BB Tour and Palm Pre for months now. I'm currently stuck on the Pre as I prefer the touch screen. A few weeks ago a vendor of mine came into the office and let me play around with his Hero for a few minutes. It seemed much more solid than my Pre and had a pretty decent overall feel about it. I've been considering getting one, but don't want to get into another situation where it doesn't do some of the things I want (this already happened with the Pre).

I'd value any input anyone has to help me come to a final decision and if anyone can answer a few specific questions I'd be grateful.

1. Are custom alerts possible (such as a tone for SMS, another for email, another for calendar alerts, etc)
2. Does the calendar and contacts sync with either Outlook or gmail?
3. Is there native PDF viewing or will a paid app be required?
4. How would you rate battery life? (This is more for users who may have had a Pre. I'm sure everyone knows about the horrible battery life.)
5. How strong is the vibration when on silent? I had to install a patch to up the vibration length on the Pre because I wouldn't even feel it go off.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[kelmar]

yone can answer a few specific questions I'd be grateful.

1. Are custom alerts possible (such as a tone for SMS, another for email, another for calendar alerts, etc)
2. Does the calendar and contacts sync with either Outlook or gmail?
3. Is there native PDF viewing or will a paid app be required?
4. How would you rate battery life? (This is more for users who may have had a Pre. I'm sure everyone knows about the horrible battery life.)
5. How strong is the vibration when on silent? I had to install a patch to up the vibration length on the Pre because I wouldn't even feel it go off.

Thanks in advance for any help!

1) I have different tones set up for SMS and another for email. I don't use the calendar so I cannot say for sure.
2) I sync contacts through Gmail. I'm pretty sure you can sync through outlook as well. I don't use outlook so once again, can't say for sure.
3) There is a native PDF viewer.
4) Never had a Pre... but I strongly feel that the battery life on the Hero could use some work.
5) A lot of people think the vibration should be stronger. I will agree with this, but I do not think it's as bad as most people say.

 

[sherifone]

I hate to say it but the Hero will be considerably slower than the Pre, and thats a fairly sluggish device at times.

I would advise waiting 2 weeks and picking up the EVO 4g which has a much more modern processor... You'll thank me in the end.

Basically, the Hero uses the previous generation processor ARMv6 at 528mhz. The Palm Pre on the other hand has an ARMv7 processor at 550mhz or so. This is a similar platform to the new Snapdragon processors, just at a lower clock speed.

Stuff like loading webpages takes about 4 times as long on the older processors, not to mention 3d gaming is pretty much out of the question.

All that said though, the Hero is a very well built device... and if its just a communication device for you, its nicer than the Pre. Just don't expect it to be a speed demon or run modern android software quickly.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

I have to say, owning both, sherifone is incorrect. The Hero is much faster because of the operating system, and it is running faster processor stock (the pre is actually only running 500mhz). 3D gaming is just fine, and in fact, we've gotten neocore to beat the new incredible and N1 in 3D benchmark. The hero flies circles around the pre and does everything you asked, including having better battery life. However, that probably won't be the case if you install the official 2.1 update on the phone. HTC made a booboo and added an app called GDK.apk that keeps the phone awake at all times, won't take long to kill your battery. Since you can't get root access on official 2.1, you can't remove the problematic app. If you do the switch, see if you can get it with the old software, root it, and install one of the custom ROMs available.

 

[masterchief2124]

Thanks, guys. I won't be doing any gaming on the phone so that will not be an issue. I primarily use my phone for scheduling, texting, email and browsing. Occasionally I will check the weather. I've been able to patch the Pre to do what I want it to, but I've noticed this makes for some serious lag and lockups. Restoring the OS and starting from scratch hasn't helped.

I'm not due for an upgrade for another 6 months. While impressed with the EVO 4G, I don't want to pay the non-contract price. I can pick up a Hero for under $200 and I'll then I'll have my upgrade available for either the EVO or the next hot phone. This scenario is probably ideal since 4G isn't even in my area yet.

I appreciate the input!

 

[doublebullout]

I have to say, owning both, sherifone is incorrect. The Hero is much faster because of the operating system, and it is running faster processor stock (the pre is actually only running 500mhz). ... The hero flies circles around the pre and does everything you asked, including having better battery life.

FWIW I've also owned both -- I agree with rufflez. While it isn't quite accurate to just compare clock speeds (they don't use the same processor, so clock speeds are not directly equivalent), it also isn't correct to say that the newer processor in the Pre is faster just because it is newer. Regardless, the Hero is definitely snappier than the Pre in most respects. The only obvious speed advantage the Pre has is in the browser. The webOS browser is great. The stock Hero browser is slow as molasses. If you use an alternate Android browser, such as Dolphin, you'll be surfing with the Hero just as fast as or faster than a Pre.

As for your other questions, you'll be amazed at how customizable Android is compared to any other OS, especially webOS. You don't have to patch anything or even root.

 

[sonso]

I switched from Pre to Hero. Pre now seems like a toy. I would recommend waiting on the HTC Evo! I will be returning my Hero (under 30 day return policy) for the Evo!

 

[psvillars#AC]

I've been switching back and forth between my BB Tour and Palm Pre for months now. I'm currently stuck on the Pre as I prefer the touch screen. A few weeks ago a vendor of mine came into the office and let me play around with his Hero for a few minutes. It seemed much more solid than my Pre and had a pretty decent overall feel about it. I've been considering getting one, but don't want to get into another situation where it doesn't do some of the things I want (this already happened with the Pre).

I'd value any input anyone has to help me come to a final decision and if anyone can answer a few specific questions I'd be grateful.

1. Are custom alerts possible (such as a tone for SMS, another for email, another for calendar alerts, etc)
2. Does the calendar and contacts sync with either Outlook or gmail?
3. Is there native PDF viewing or will a paid app be required?
4. How would you rate battery life? (This is more for users who may have had a Pre. I'm sure everyone knows about the horrible battery life.)
5. How strong is the vibration when on silent? I had to install a patch to up the vibration length on the Pre because I wouldn't even feel it go off.

Thanks in advance for any help!

well I just recently switched to the hero from the pre so I can help answer some questions
1. yes
2. gmail for sure being not sure about outlook but i think it is possible
3. there is a pdf viewer
4. battery life is an edge to the hero depending on how much you use it I have extra batteries for both phones and had to switch on the pre not very often but enough to warrant getting a pocket charger for the spare haven't even used the extra batteries on the hero yet although i've come close
5. vibration is fairly strong

While I loved my pre I am loving the hero's apps and strong build quality bluetooth is much better on the hero comared to the pre if you get the hero you'll be happy with it at least til you see the evo lmao

 

[masterchief2124]

Thanks for all the input guys! One more question: Does it support wifi?

 

[NBenn8021]

yes it does support wifi