Evo vs Epic

[relic419]

Since the camera (picture/video) quality is important to you, I suggest you take a look at these in depth comparisons:

http://www.droiddog.com/android-blog/2010/09/epic-vs-evo-the-cameras/

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Samsung-Epic-4G-vs-HTC-EVO-4G-review-r_2527.html

And here's one even comparing the much lauded iphone camera:

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Sam...-X---the-camera-comparison-review-r_2532.html

Clearly, the Epic has a superior camera to the Evos, and pretty much on par with the iphone (except for low light conditions).

Bear in mind that the upload cap is only on 3G and is going to be rectified in an update.

Also, you mentioned like the Evos on-screen keyboard, well, wait till you try out swype.

PS: a shortage of either phone is no indication of which one is selling better, unless of course you know exactly how many shipments Sprint gets of each, along with how many are being sold.

Sent from the event horizon

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

They fixed 150kbs cap and if your gonna be running a blog and doing allot of typing the keyboard will be nice.
....
P.s.s. The evo's camera does have zoom, and is really good in all situations for me personally.

They fixed it? I thought they were just for the first time acknowledging the issue. Have you really seen that a fix has been released or the issue is really closed? If so, can you give us a link?

Thanks about the intel on camera zoom, much obliged.

 

[igotsanevo4g]

http://www.androidcentral.com/sprint-samsung-prepping-update-fix-epic-4g-upload-speeds

Check the epic forums, I thought it was pushed. Even if it isn't, it shouldn't be to long.

 

[Marty1781]

I DO understand your affection for Sense because I've been impressed with what I've seen, but as I'm not really accustomed to either UI yet, it's not a huge priority compared to the other issues.

You might want to consider bumping it up your priority list. The Epic was my first Android phone so I also wasn't accustomed to either UI yet (I had used Sense on Windows Mobile for a few weeks but other than the clock widget, its really not that similar to Sense on Android). After 3 weeks with Touchwiz and combined with the poor battery life, as I mentioned earlier, I returned it. Within 10 minutes of playing with the Evo, I just could not believe how much better the user interface/experience was with Sense. I think its one thing to not be accustomed to either UI but when one of them is clearly more well thought out than the other (at least IMO), then maybe the UI should hold a little more weight in your decision, especially if its going to affect something as important as how you interact with your phone. Sense made all the difference in the world for me and so I decided to stick with Android vs returning to Windows Mobile.

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

Since the camera (picture/video) quality is important to you, I suggest you take a look at these in depth comparisons:

Epic vs. EVO: the cameras | DroidDog Android Blog

Samsung Epic 4G vs HTC EVO 4G (Phone Arena Reviews)

And here's one even comparing the much lauded iphone camera:

Samsung Epic 4G vs Apple iPhone 4 vs Motorola DROID X - the camera comparison (Phone Arena Reviews)

Clearly, the Epic has a superior camera to the Evos, and pretty much on par with the iphone (except for low light conditions).

Bear in mind that the upload cap is only on 3G and is going to be rectified in an update.

Also, you mentioned like the Evos on-screen keyboard, well, wait till you try out swype.

PS: a shortage of either phone is no indication of whic one is selling better, unless of course you know exactly how many shipments Sprint gets of each, along with how many arebeing sold.

Sent from the event horizon

WOW, the Epic's images and videos are painfully superior in that droiddog comparison! Thanks for passing that on--hadn't seen it. And actually, as a musician, the thing that stood out even more (showed up in the comments as well) was that the Epic's sound (on videos) was SO much better and clearer. Seeing that makes me think I can hold on for that OTA (or at least try for 30 days...). Ultimately, better a great concert on YouTube than rubbish on ustream. Hopefully the upload speed fix will come, though. I don't think I can tolerate AT&T (or the walled garden), so iPhone is probably out anyway.

Btw, not holding my breath on swype, though it's cool and I've enjoyed it just fine when testing it out. I just don't think it'll probably be my style. And agreed on the phone shortages. Would be interesting to see real sales numbers on both.

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

You might want to consider bumping it up your priority list. The Epic was my first Android phone so I also wasn't accustomed to either UI yet (I had used Sense on Windows Mobile for a few weeks but other than the clock widget, its really not that similar to Sense on Android). After 3 weeks with Touchwiz and combined with the poor battery life, as I mentioned earlier, I returned it. Within 10 minutes of playing with the Evo, I just could not believe how much better the user interface/experience was with Sense. I think its one thing to not be accustomed to either UI but when one of them is clearly more well thought out than the other (at least IMO), then maybe the UI should hold a little more weight in your decision, especially if its going to affect something as important as how you interact with your phone. Sense made all the difference in the world for me and so I decided to stick with Android vs returning to Windows Mobile.

Thanks, Marty. Sense UI's value and appeal are definitely on the table--definitely on the priority list--and I've long REALLY wanted to go with a Sense-designed phone. But I think I'd have trouble putting it ahead of video/audio/image quality if the Epic's is as much better as the droiddog comparison (link posted above in this thread) seems to show--as a musician, it was particularly the sound that blew me away as I watched the comparison clips. How I wish I could combine them, though--would that HTC had put out the Samsung Epic. How close does the Epic UI experience come to Sense if you use Pro Launcher and Beautiful Widgets and so on?

 

[logicalform]

I love my evo, but one thing it does NOT do well is audio playback, which may or may not be important to you as a musician. The audio out via headphones is pretty atrocious, whereas samsung actually put considerable effort into the galaxy phones in this area. Although the epic is the one galaxy phone at present to not have samsung's audio processing (it still has the stock music player for some reason) it does have the wolfson dac and the potential to upgrade the music player in the future.

-sent from my evo-

 

[DirkBelig]

What's your opinion in terms of video/audio/image capture, streaming (upload cap aside, for the moment), and in terms of processor power, response, and overall use?

I haven't shot any video with it (have Flip cams for that), but the camera is OK for outdoor/bright light photography. The dual flashes are bright, but the exposures are off and faces get washed out. I'm a photographer so I'm going to be picky but if you subscribe to the adage that the best camera is the one you have with you, it's satisfactory. I just uploaded a bunch of shots from Toronto, so take a look for yourself. Someone already found and favorited this one:


IMAG0086 by Rock Out Shots - Peter Schorn, on Flickr

I'm in a 3G market and I've had no problem streaming Pandora over Bluetooth to my car's Sync system. Music sounds OK from files loaded on the phone proper. I usually listen to podcasts and have been frustrated by the flakiness of the apps. (Google Listen would launch and start playing back when it detected BT resulting in multiple audio playbacks. Noisy! Using Mediafly, but whoever designed that must never actually use it. PreCaster on my Pre was great; no Android version.)

Coming from the Pre, it blazes and the OTA update last night is like a dozen coats of wax making the experience even slicker. I didn't do much with the Epic in the time I used it, so I can't speak to how it feels in smoothness compared to the EVO. I love it.

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

I love my evo, but one thing it does NOT do well is audio playback, which may or may not be important to you as a musician. The audio out via headphones is pretty atrocious, whereas samsung actually put considerable effort into the galaxy phones in this area. Although the epic is the one galaxy phone at present to not have samsung's audio processing (it still has the stock music player for some reason) it does have the wolfson dac and the potential to upgrade the music player in the future.

@logicalform: While I'll admit I'm even more concerned about the quality of audio CAPTURE and the subsequent streaming and/or uploading of that (probably with video...), that IS a concern. I'm sorry to hear audio playback on the Evo is weak via the audio out. Is that true with an audio out cable to speakers as well, or only using headphones/earbuds? Also, is the same true for actual voice call quality using a wired headset? (I'll probably take the bluetooth plunge this time around, but....)

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

I haven't shot any video with it (have Flip cams for that), but the camera is OK for outdoor/bright light photography. The dual flashes are bright, but the exposures are off and faces get washed out. I'm a photographer so I'm going to be picky but if you subscribe to the adage that the best camera is the one you have with you, it's satisfactory. I just uploaded a bunch of shots from Toronto, so take a look for yourself. Someone already found and favorited this one:

I'm in a 3G market and I've had no problem streaming Pandora over Bluetooth to my car's Sync system. Music sounds OK from files loaded on the phone proper. I usually listen to podcasts and have been frustrated by the flakiness of the apps. (Google Listen would launch and start playing back when it detected BT resulting in multiple audio playbacks. Noisy! Using Mediafly, but whoever designed that must never actually use it. PreCaster on my Pre was great; no Android version.)

Coming from the Pre, it blazes and the OTA update last night is like a dozen coats of wax making the experience even slicker. I didn't do much with the Epic in the time I used it, so I can't speak to how it feels in smoothness compared to the EVO. I love it.

@DirkB- Thanks for all the info and thoughts! Those were really great pictures--well shot and framed, artistically speaking as well! From what I'm hearing, Evo is excellent for that. Perhaps the Epic is even better? Also, the video comparison I saw today from droiddog really surprised me, especially the quality of the audio capture in the video. That's pretty important to me because I'm in a season of my life where I'm traveling a LOT and it would be great NOT to have to pack a flip vid cam as well as phone, etc. And, in fact, I kind of want to reverse the old adage and say I need the camera I have with me to be the best (or rather, as awesome as possible--I do realize it's still a phone. ) Too bad about podcasts--surely someone will come up with something really satisfying in the market before too long?

I have certainly heard great things about the Evo post-yesterday's-OTA! I think with that, I would be less concerned about going with the Epic, especially because of the awesome UI on the Evo, EXCEPT FOR the quality of video/audio capture. Video aside, the Evo's photos would probably be fine for my use, although I'm more likely to need good pics in lower light, i.e. in concert settings.

That's where I am at this point:
- I like the UI on the Evo,
- I think I'd be very happy with the Evo form factor, even though I am accustomed to qwertys;
- BUT, I think the quality of photo, video, and audio capture on the Epic may be the thing that pushes me over from the Evo.

That said, if Sammy and Sprint can't rock an OTA fix for the upload speed issue within 30 days of purchase, I may very well bail and run for an Evo. (Or maybe the next monster will be poised for launch by then.... hahaha)

 

[Jerzyiroc]

I've used the Vibrant quite a bit. The Vibrant is the full touch TMobile version of the Epic. Only difference is the keyboard. Personally, I couldn't stand it. I think many people on this forum know my absolute disdain for TouchWiz. I usually equate it to virtual herpes. I hate it with a deep passion. It's absolutely horrible. The only two things (imo) that's better about the Epic that's worth noting is the screen and the processor. Personally, those things don't matter to me though. I personally like having the bigger 4.3 screen. Especially considering they're both the same overall physical size. As far as the processor, the Snapdragon has been perfectly fine for me. The camera, well I think it's debatable. The Epic may have a slight edge because it does take better low light pictures, but the Evo still takes great pictures. As a matter of fact, during my vacation to Puerto Rico this week, my Evo has officially replaced my p&s. I found myself not wanting to walk around all day with my phone AND my p&s in my pocket so I decided to leave it behind the first day and see what kind of pictures I could take. Lets just say I have 62 pictures form my p&s (all night pictures) and 379 pictures on my Evo (about 50 night pictures). I have to say, I'm very pleased with the pictures. Could I have taken better pictures with the p&s? Of course. But the picture quality of the Evo was good enough, not having to walk around with another electronic device, and being able to post it on Twitter or Facebook immediately was enough to have me leave the p&s. Hell, even my Kodak Zi8 stayed at the hotel most of the time. As far as video, I'm satisfied with it. It's not perfect, but it's not terrible. The audio quality admittedly is lacking. BUT, the developer of the rom I use is working on a fix for it. The Evo is more than capable of providing great audio quality, it's just the coding that crap. The Evo has yet to fail me. I use the living hell out of this phone. And it's never failed me. I've used the Vibrant a lot. And there's not a chance in hell I'd even consider it.

 

[DirkBelig]

Fletch - What's great about Android is that you have a full selection of carriers, form factors, price points, and features that can meet YOUR needs. While we all have our preferences, you won't see much, "You don't want that POS, you want this hunk of awesome," rhetoric among Android users because we're a knowledgeable group of mature people who want to provide mutual support to our fellows.

Now, if you were trying to decide between an EVO, Epic or iPhone...well, does the phrase "rabid badgers" suggest anything?

 

[logicalform]

@logicalform: While I'll admit I'm even more concerned about the quality of audio CAPTURE and the subsequent streaming and/or uploading of that (probably with video...), that IS a concern. I'm sorry to hear audio playback on the Evo is weak via the audio out. Is that true with an audio out cable to speakers as well, or only using headphones/earbuds? Also, is the same true for actual voice call quality using a wired headset? (I'll probably take the bluetooth plunge this time around, but....)

The only speakers I've output to have been in my car which is not exactly an ideal environment for doing analytical listening. I would say the sound is alright in that environment, but only because I don't expect much to begin with... I haven't used any headsets for calls yet, but call quality in general is pretty good through the speaker. As far as audio capture I can't really say much except to suggest you take a look at some of the sample videos on youtube and such... it's pretty abysmal through the built in mic.

I realize I've sounded pretty negative so far, but I really do love my evo all around. The sound has been disappointing to me and I felt the need to bring it up seeing as how you're a musician, but I do love the phone otherwise.

 

[Fletch F. Fletch]

The only speakers I've output to have been in my car which is not exactly an ideal environment for doing analytical listening. I would say the sound is alright in that environment, but only because I don't expect much to begin with... I haven't used any headsets for calls yet, but call quality in general is pretty good through the speaker. As far as audio capture I can't really say much except to suggest you take a look at some of the sample videos on youtube and such... it's pretty abysmal through the built in mic.

I realize I've sounded pretty negative so far, but I really do love my evo all around. The sound has been disappointing to me and I felt the need to bring it up seeing as how you're a musician, but I do love the phone otherwise.

You're really not sounding overly negative about the Evo. You're doing what I asked in the OP, responding to my very specific priorities--and I'm grateful. There are a million things I like about both phones, but I'm trying to sift through all the android glory to choose which nails those things that matter the best. With all the sound issues you (and demo video clips online) raise, as well as the larger video and image capture subject, I am leaning toward the Epic, even though I like the Evo's UI, build quality, community support, and other features. If the Epic fails in my 30-day test, I have an awesome fallback.

 

[logicalform]

You'll end up with a great phone either way. I'd lean towards the epic in your situation, but that's just me.

 

[dougeetx]

Interesting!

YouTube - Epic 4g Vs. EVO 4G Sprint Showdown:

 

[DonnaJ415]

Very interesting

 

[dougeetx]

The EVO 4G still rules the 4G Dome! Wooot!

 

[igotsanevo4g]

I've always watched jon, he has fair reviews. Good review.

 

[caliskimmer]

I've always watched jon, he has fair reviews. Good review.

I could not agree more.