If I can't find an Evo, should I get an Epic?

[it.]

I've been looking for Evos since launch but have not found any. I've called up all my local radio shacks, best buys, and sprint stores since the phone was launched but they are always out of stock. I'm really frustrated and I'm starting to consider the epic. I like the Evos bigger screen and the look of it but I like the epic's samoled screen. The epic doesn't look as stylish as the Evo and the build quality also looks questionable. I game occasionally on phones but not constantly. I use youtube a lot and I love the Evo's kickstand. A hardware keyboard isn't a must for me but it is good to have options. My tv isn't dlna compatible so I couldn't use that feature. I hate touchwiz but I could probably load custom roms on. Pocketability isn't an issue. IDK. I'm so confused. Which one should I get?

 

[Death Roe]

Well if you want to get the Epic, keep tabs on news for pre-orders ASAP. Best bet is to preorder one or put money down somewhere to claim yours right off the bat.

 

[techsamaritan]

I'm right there with you, can't find any! I have a moment now and am really considering the Epic now. Now, of course, no $ for the evo so now I'll have to wait and get to compare them side by side. The epic will be good...what a tough choice! Great one to finally have with Sprint! Too excited!

 

[Death Roe]

Yeah, I'm very excited for the Epic. It sucks that my upgrade is 10/1, hopefully they won't have many supply problems with this phone. I am going to try and get my upgrade early, just gotta think of a strategy.

 

[liquidxit2]

Honestly it comes down to UI and type of phone. Ask yourself these questions: do you want a slab phone or a slider? Do you want touchwiz or sense UI? That will answer everything there. Those are the only differences I can see as of now, and while the screen is .3in larger in the evo the AMOLED is brighter and more vivid. So really its a tradeoff as both screens are pretty good.

 

[Q-fugee]

Honestly it comes down to UI and type of phone. Ask yourself these questions: do you want a slab phone or a slider? Do you want touchwiz or sense UI? That will answer everything there. Those are the only differences I can see as of now, and while the screen is .3in larger in the evo the AMOLED is brighter and more vivid. So really its a tradeoff as both screens are pretty good.

I think with all of the custom replacement launchers and widgets the UI concerns are moot. My Hero looks nothing like Sense or Touchwiz anymore. The big difference between the two is the dedicated GPU in the Epic. The Galaxy S phones have been wiping the floor with the EVO in graphics benchmarks. The keyboard is the other biggie, followed by the screen and DLNA instead of a hardware HDMI output.

I'm holding out for the Epic. My only concern is price. When AT&T launched the Galaxy, they priced it higher than the iPhone. I can't figure that out. That magic $199 price point makes a difference.

--Qfg

 

[liquidxit2]

I think with all of the custom replacement launchers and widgets the UI concerns are moot. My Hero looks nothing like Sense or Touchwiz anymore. The big difference between the two is the dedicated GPU in the Epic. The Galaxy S phones have been wiping the floor with the EVO in graphics benchmarks. The keyboard is the other biggie, followed by the screen and DLNA instead of a hardware HDMI output.

I'm holding out for the Epic. My only concern is price. When AT&T launched the Galaxy, they priced it higher than the iPhone. I can't figure that out. That magic $199 price point makes a difference.

--Qfg

My only guess on the price is that they are favoring apple products. There has to be something going on behind the scenes in order for them to push the iphone over the competition. But then again being that they are the only iphone carrier Im sure that apple is greasing the palms of the big whigs at att.

 

[it.]

Should I preorder the epic and then If I don't like it, sell it and get the Evo off craigslist? I feel like if I wait to try both phones out, I'll have to wait even longer because both phones will be out of stock.

 

[coolqf]

Should I preorder the epic and then If I don't like it, sell it and get the Evo off craigslist? I feel like if I wait to try both phones out, I'll have to wait even longer because both phones will be out of stock.

The other Galaxy phones have been stocked pretty well and HTC has greatly improved the supply of their phones. Reportedly, the EVO shortage will end by Sept. 1st, and if we take into account that the EPIC arrives on the 20th, it should be pretty easy for you to try both.

 

[dwaynewilliams#WN]

The Epic looks great, but I still think that the EVO is better. But if the EVO isn't in stock soon, then go with the Epic. You really can't go wrong with either device.

 

[Aero]

Honestly it comes down to UI and type of phone. Ask yourself these questions: do you want a slab phone or a slider? Do you want touchwiz or sense UI? That will answer everything there. Those are the only differences I can see as of now, and while the screen is .3in larger in the evo the AMOLED is brighter and more vivid. So really its a tradeoff as both screens are pretty good.

I don't agree with the second criteria on the original ui/skin. Really that is a temporary aesthetic that is present at the sales counter for the smartphone neophyte but not an issue for people who frequent these forums and are more likely than not to change it.

On your first pint I agree, I think the more permanent aesthetic of the EVO's form factor is more fresh, more modern and more appealing to me, but if you want the function of the keyboard, if you do a fair amount of text entry, that form over function is not a good choice.

I think one needs to zero down on other differences from minor to substantial, some of which we know, and some we will not know until a bit after epic release.

eg-

Screens matter:. Al the comparative reviews with the simple hands on are unanimous that the Epic super amoled is markedly superior. The screen is an every increasingly important and dominant aspect of smartphones and their apps, and that is no small advantage.

GPU and video generally: I haven't done comparative tests but I think those who have say the Epic is superior GPU as well which can make a difference in video viewing and almost certainly will be superior for gaming.

Battery: they both have the same battery MAH wise but my understanding, is that super amoled is less driaining and the epic's processor also has a better power efficeny. This is likely (but not certian) to translate into superior battery life for the Epic. We may see identicle numbers for the "standard" ratings for standby and talk times, but those are increasingly irrelevant given they are not even going to take processor efficiency or screen efficiency into account when that is quite large part of what we are using with smartphones.

call quality: My own causal try out (and reviewers also note this) indicate exceptional call quality with EVO. It is still a phone and call voice quality matters -- a lot. I haven't seen reports specifically on the cdma galaxy call quality yet.

Likely userbase size: The likely user base is important. The Epic is served by to some degree by the fact the galaxy is out on two gsm carriers and will almost certainly be on both major cdma carriers. the evo is popular out of the gate but that could be huge or short lived. this goes to apps optimized for the device and to hardware accessories such as extended batteries (I understand both are using batteries from prior devices so extra batteries won't be expensive.)

Those are my considerations. I will be getting four 4g smartphones on Sprint in early September when I convert my plan. Although I am leaning to the epic, it isn't because of the keyboard or ui, but mostly from the much superior epic display. Availability may actually be the deciding factor if either are in short supply.

 

[it.]

I don't agree with the second criteria on the original ui/skin. Really that is a temporary aesthetic that is present at the sales counter for the smartphone neophyte but not an issue for people who frequent these forums and are more likely than not to change it.

On your first pint I agree, I think the more permanent aesthetic of the EVO's form factor is more fresh, more modern and more appealing to me, but if you want the function of the keyboard, if you do a fair amount of text entry, that form over function is not a good choice.

I think one needs to zero down on other differences from minor to substantial, some of which we know, and some we will not know until a bit after epic release.

eg-

Screens matter:. Al the comparative reviews with the simple hands on are unanimous that the Epic super amoled is markedly superior. The screen is an every increasingly important and dominant aspect of smartphones and their apps, and that is no small advantage.

GPU and video generally: I haven't done comparative tests but I think those who have say the Epic is superior GPU as well which can make a difference in video viewing and almost certainly will be superior for gaming.

Battery: they both have the same battery MAH wise but my understanding, is that super amoled is less driaining and the epic's processor also has a better power efficeny. This is likely (but not certian) to translate into superior battery life for the Epic. We may see identicle numbers for the "standard" ratings for standby and talk times, but those are increasingly irrelevant given they are not even going to take processor efficiency or screen efficiency into account when that is quite large part of what we are using with smartphones.

call quality: My own causal try out (and reviewers also note this) indicate exceptional call quality with EVO. It is still a phone and call voice quality matters -- a lot. I haven't seen reports specifically on the cdma galaxy call quality yet.

Likely userbase size: The likely user base is important. The Epic is served by to some degree by the fact the galaxy is out on two gsm carriers and will almost certainly be on both major cdma carriers. the evo is popular out of the gate but that could be huge or short lived. this goes to apps optimized for the device and to hardware accessories such as extended batteries (I understand both are using batteries from prior devices so extra batteries won't be expensive.)

Those are my considerations. I will be getting four 4g smartphones on Sprint in early September when I convert my plan. Although I am leaning to the epic, it isn't because of the keyboard or ui, but mostly from the much superior epic display. Availability may actually be the deciding factor if either are in short supply.

I completely agree with you. The Evo's design is more appealing but the Epic has more function. Also, a lot of people say only get the Epic if you need a hardware keyboard. I don't absolutely need a hardware keyboard but I will say its great to have the option. I'm also leaning towards the epic just because of the display. I checked out the captivate's screen and it looks absolutely gorgeous. I'm a little worried about touchwiz but as you said, you can load custom roms that run stock android. You can also download different launchers from the market. Hopefully there will be a strong root community because I don't think I'd buy the epic if I couldn't run anything other than touchwiz. I also don't want to have to rely on Samsung for updates. I have a feeling the Epic will be in ample supply. Samsung makes their own screens and the Evo's shortages have been a result of a shortage of screens. Also, most people have already taken the plunge for the Evo so not as many people will be getting the epic. Hooray for us waiters!

 

[Aero]

I also don't want to have to rely on Samsung for updates.

Thanks, that is true.. Yeah, I didn't do a comprehensive pro and con, just listed some things not listed by others. A comprehensive list would include a weighing of respective history of post market company support and htc would, in my opinion, win. I would not put samsung in the bottom half of post launch support, but I would put HTC near the top.

Then again both are missing a feature I am sorely sad to see left out, a sim card slot. in my case I travel to Europe about twice a year, typically once on business and once for pleasure, and while I had an unlocked dumb nokia to throw a pre paid european sim into, I actually brought my cdma smarphone with me as I was so dependent on it for other things util last year when I got a TP2 which does have a sim. Even though I didn't use the sim for data, wifi was plentiful enough.

I also wish both had 25% bigger batteries. given the batteries are about 25% of phones weight and volume, a 25% increase in the battery would translate into a 8% or so increase in total wight and volume. I think these companies are finding in consumer testing for buying decisions people are doing a hands on in the store, and placing thinness high without much, if any, consideration of battery life. So one cant blame the makers for demand based trends in competitive markets.

Still I feel all current smartphones are under capacity in battery and personally would, given most things being equal, place higher battery life extremely high in my own decision