Epic Versus Evo

[caliskimmer]

I thought the Hero's touchscreen keyboard was nice, until I it broke and I went back to my Treo Pro. Damn, I really missed a physical keyboard. Just going back to the keyboard alone makes me want the epic because it reminded me how much more accurate and quickly I could type on it. Sending emails was a pain with the Hero because it was hard to add all the punctuation in and get it perfect for my professors . Also when I got my hero, my text messages went down from about 15,000 to about 3,000... I text a lot but I just got annoyed with texting on the Hero. Here's to the epic!

Oh and I read that the keyboard on the epic is gridded and some have complained about it, but I don't mind it considering the Treo's keyboard is gridded as well. But I don't think reviewers should complain about it because eventually you will get used to it.

I don't think it's gridded. Most of the reviews I watched said the Droid's was gridded, but not the Epic's

 

[sweat]

I'm on the reservation list for Tuesday. Actually, both my wife and I are both on the list to get Epics. The local Sprint store is also telling me that they should have the Evo in limited, but some, stock over the next couple of weeks.

So, I'm back to trying to choose between the two. I had a Moto Q and bough the Pre when it came out last year. So, I'm used to a physical keyboard.

I have some concerns with the Epic, however. Some reviews (e.g., PC Mag) said they had problems with the buttons at the bottom of the screen. Either they didn't light up or they did not respond. I've also people complain about syncing their Galaxy phones to a Mac and the GPS not working right.

Thoughts? Anybody seeing similar issues being brought up about the Epic?

 

[caliskimmer]

I'm on the reservation list for Tuesday. Actually, both my wife and I are both on the list to get Epics. The local Sprint store is also telling me that they should have the Evo in limited, but some, stock over the next couple of weeks.

So, I'm back to trying to choose between the two. I had a Moto Q and bough the Pre when it came out last year. So, I'm used to a physical keyboard.

I have some concerns with the Epic, however. Some reviews (e.g., PC Mag) said they had problems with the buttons at the bottom of the screen. Either they didn't light up or they did not respond. I've also people complain about syncing their Galaxy phones to a Mac and the GPS not working right.

Thoughts? Anybody seeing similar issues being brought up about the Epic?

Dude, GPS is fixed for the Epic, the buttons are meant to be pushed, not tapped, and I've used some Android phones on a Mac with no problem. Don't worry! We here at AndroidCentral work to find problems and find if they've been fixed or if they will need some modifying. This time, you should be good out of the box. Watch my video on youtube to make your choice lol (this one's a joke btw): YouTube - Samsung Epic vs. HTC Evo

Honestly though, you're good with the Epic. I've used the Evo and tossed it back to the store because of battery issues, apps crashing, and that awful fps cap (not to mention rooting didn't work at the time either).

 

[dandan2980]

I'm in the same boat. Just ordered the Epic online off of bestbuy and am concerned about the bottom buttons. My brother got the Intercept and it was awful. I know this is there flagship device so I hope pressing instead of tapping is the fix. Cause his phone's home button never worked just froze up a lot. I also was wondering if anyone knows if you are able to turn off the mobile network like on the Evo. I turn it off while at work to conserve battery. I currently own the Evo. Can't wait to see that badass screen on the Epic.

 

[caliskimmer]

I'm in the same boat. Just ordered the Epic online off of bestbuy and am concerned about the bottom buttons. My brother got the Intercept and it was awful. I know this is there flagship device so I hope pressing instead of tapping is the fix. Cause his phone's home button never worked just froze up a lot. I also was wondering if anyone knows if you are able to turn off the mobile network like on the Evo. I turn it off while at work to conserve battery. I currently own the Evo. Can't wait to see that badass screen on the Epic.

YES! Of course you can! Almost every phone has this feature.

 

[drizek]

I'm in the same boat. Just ordered the Epic online off of bestbuy and am concerned about the bottom buttons. My brother got the Intercept and it was awful. I know this is there flagship device so I hope pressing instead of tapping is the fix. Cause his phone's home button never worked just froze up a lot. I also was wondering if anyone knows if you are able to turn off the mobile network like on the Evo. I turn it off while at work to conserve battery. I currently own the Evo. Can't wait to see that badass screen on the Epic.

If he epic is even anything like the intercept, I will return it in seconds. The intercept is such a horrible horrible phone.

Anyway, the epic is better than the evo in just about every way, from a technical point of view. The evo does look nicercthough, and it has a kickstand and sense instead of touchwiz. It is a pretty simple choice for me, but there will be others who just love the evo form factor.

 

[PhxBlue]

If it helps anyone, i had the Vibrant for a bit and it was so incredibly satisfying to own, the capacitive buttons on the bottom worked just fine as well. I only returned it to get the Epic and all the extras it has. Dont be worried guys and gals, you are in for a treat.

 

[theiphonewannabe]

I was concerned about the buttons and justifiably so. It wasn't nearly as bad as the intercept, but not nearly as nice as the capacitive buttons on the EVO.

I have used the Epic and put it through 20 minutes of scrutiny. The buttons are really the only thing that truely bugged me. However, I have heard it was a software issue on the early handsets and didn't effect all of them. So take that FWIW...

 

[liquidxit2]

Why dont we just settle this debate over evo vs epic right now. Do you want a keyboard? if yes get the epic if no get the evo. Simple.

 

[Cel]

Why dont we just settle this debate over evo vs epic right now. Do you want a keyboard? if yes get the epic if no get the evo. Simple.

That would seem to settle it for me. I really wanted an EVO, even talked myself into getting on the wait list, but once the Epic was announced I bailed. They called me last Sunday and gave me two hours to pick up the EVO.

I'm a keyboard guy, thought I might be able to adjust but frankly I hate the ipod touch's keyboard in every way imaginable. I woulda played and seen, but I much prefer a physical keyboard for all the emails and texts I send throughout the day.

 

[sweat]

The big thing for me is those buttons and making sure they work properly, that I can sync to PC and Mac, and GPS works. Obviously, as I stated in my OP, I prefer physical keyboards.

I'm not crazy about having the slot for the power cord at the top of the phone, but that's not a deal-breaker. Not having voice-activated dialing is another negative, but a small one, since 2.2 will resolve this issue. (I am right on this, correct?)

 

[liquidxit2]

That would seem to settle it for me. I really wanted an EVO, even talked myself into getting on the wait list, but once the Epic was announced I bailed. They called me last Sunday and gave me two hours to pick up the EVO.

I'm a keyboard guy, thought I might be able to adjust but frankly I hate the ipod touch's keyboard in every way imaginable. I woulda played and seen, but I much prefer a physical keyboard for all the emails and texts I send throughout the day.

Thats really all it comes down to. I too am a keyboard buy and I have tried many many virtual keyboards and no matter what I do I cannot get used to them and they also make me quite enraged at times.

The big thing for me is those buttons and making sure they work properly, that I can sync to PC and Mac, and GPS works. Obviously, as I stated in my OP, I prefer physical keyboards.

I'm not crazy about having the slot for the power cord at the top of the phone, but that's not a deal-breaker. Not having voice-activated dialing is another negative, but a small one, since 2.2 will resolve this issue. (I am right on this, correct?)

Remember that some phones have issues. **Pretend scenario** For instance my brother has an evo that works great but my mom has an evo that doesnt. She makes a youtube video of said issues and the masses spread it around like it is an evo wide issue. **/scenario** Just remember that alot of these phones are pre release and are more prone to issues then release phones.

 

[caliskimmer]

The big thing for me is those buttons and making sure they work properly, that I can sync to PC and Mac, and GPS works. Obviously, as I stated in my OP, I prefer physical keyboards.

I'm not crazy about having the slot for the power cord at the top of the phone, but that's not a deal-breaker. Not having voice-activated dialing is another negative, but a small one, since 2.2 will resolve this issue. (I am right on this, correct?)

Yes, you are correct.

 

[Aero]

Dude, GPS is fixed for the Epic.

We don't now that at all for a fact.

 

[caliskimmer]

We don't now that at all for a fact.

I believe you are incorrect. Samsung confirmed that it works and almost all of the reviews say the GPS is straight on.

Source: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2010/08/19/samsung-epic-4g-gps-issues-done-and-dusted/

+

countless other reviews.

 

[dekcufi]

I love my evo..... I am not hip on samsung phones after my experience with the instinct......

 

[caliskimmer]

I love my evo..... I am not hip on samsung phones after my experience with the instinct......

I had the Instinct as well. What problems did you have with it? I felt like it was lacking a bunch of basic features that other phones had. At the time, it didn't have IM, but I guess now it does.

 

[kenjancef]

I am torn between keeping my Evo and switching to the Epic. I do like a physical keyboard but getting used to the virtual keyboard. I FiNALLY got my Evo replaced about 2 weeks ago, and thinking that maybe I could fall urn the 30 day warranty since it is technically a new phone. Think I could do that??? I got it at Radio Shack. I just don't have another $500 to drop on a new phone again...


Ken

 

[caliskimmer]

I am torn between keeping my Evo and switching to the Epic. I do like a physical keyboard but getting used to the virtual keyboard. I FiNALLY got my Evo replaced about 2 weeks ago, and thinking that maybe I could fall urn the 30 day warranty since it is technically a new phone. Think I could do that??? I got it at Radio Shack. I just don't have another $500 to drop on a new phone again...


Ken

I've had the iPhone for almost 1 1/2 years and I'm still not "used" to the keyboard. It plain sucks! It's too freaking small! The Evo? It's better, but not by a drastic measure IMO. I'm going with the Epic because I like the idea of being able to choose what method I want to use to type.

 

[bkrodgers]

I've had the iPhone for almost 1 1/2 years and I'm still not "used" to the keyboard. It plain sucks! It's too freaking small! The Evo? It's better, but not by a drastic measure IMO. I'm going with the Epic because I like the idea of being able to choose what method I want to use to type.

Choose is the key word here! If you can have a keyboard without much of a size or weight penalty, which it seems is the case here, why wouldn't you? It's .06" thicker. It's actually lighter than the Evo. I have the TP2 (ugh, WM) and to be honest I didn't even use the keyboard very often. I found that for basic things (entering a couple search terms, a URL, or a short text), the software keyboard was easier than flipping the keyboard out, waiting for it to adjust, etc. But when I wanted a hardware keyboard to type out something longer or just felt like using it instead, I was glad to have it there.

I actually think some of the other differences are in fact more important. Do you like Sense better than TW3? Do you like AMOLED? Would you rather have a 4.3" screen instead of 4"? Is build quality or battery life or some other attribute you care about better on one or the other? Do you have more faith in HTC or Samsung? Do you want a kickstand? (I wish that keyboard was tilting like the TP2...doubles as a kickstand!) Those are the things that I'm debating. I think you can live without a hardware keyboard just fine, but if all other things were truly equal (size, weight, build quality, price, etc), I don't see why you wouldn't want a keyboard to use when you want to. Now, I guess you can argue that for any given size and weight, a device with a keyboard probably could have been smaller and lighter (proven out by the other Galaxy phones), but as it stands on Sprint, we've got two high end Android devices with very similar size and weight specs.