Disadvantages of the dual mode chip?

[icu]

First let me just say that this is my dream phone I've been waiting for. For the longest time I've lamented "Just give me a fast HTC Android handset on VZW with a good quality slide-out keyboard. Is that too much to ask?" Apparently it was until now.

My only concern is that I don't need a "World Phone". I am wondering what, if any, disadvantages this may pose a Home Traveler.

#1 I read somewhere that the Droid Pro is going to go for $250 w/ contract a full $50 over the "standard non-R2D2' rate. My guess is that they are assuming they can stick corporate IT depts. with the extra fee or does the dual-mode chip cost HTC that much more money? (this is a minor point - if it costs $250 and it rocks I'll pay it)

#2 Should there be any decreased performance/battery drain as a result of this dual mode chip?

Perhaps silly concerns, but thus far the Merge being a World Phone is the only potential strike against it, but perhaps I am being silly.

I'd love to hear what the advantages may be (if any).

Thanks

 

[NeoLogic]

I use to have a Blackberry Tour. It too was a World Phone, and yes, if you enabled GSM, it would decrease the battery life. Good news is, if you're not overseas, and have no need to use that band, you can turn it off.... at least in the Blackberry OS you could. I would assume Android will also allow you to turn that off too.

As an engineering standpoint, one downside to the extra bands is finding room to put the extra radios and I'm sure there is also some antenna challenges as well, since they are different wavelengths, the antennas need to be different lengths.

As a user tho... it's very very minimal. The benefits certainly outweigh any downsides of owning a world phone, if you travel the world!

 

[Kyle Gibb]

Unless you goto Europe or somewhere else overseas, you should not notice any differences from something like a Droid Incredible or Eris.

 

[nateap87]

thought this phone had the same processor as the g2...pretty sure it does.