Is the Hero worth it NOW? (with 2.1)

[ballroomdru]

Here is my situation. I currently have a Curve 8330 that is getting old and slow. Mind you, the keyboard is awesome still.

Both the Moment and the Hero are $99 right now which is just about the most o am willing to spend right now and I am a premier customer so I get to upgrade every year.

I would wait for the EVO EXCEPT I have a few issues with it.

1.) PRICE (I can't justify $200 for a phone right now.)

2.) SIZE: I you have held an HD2 from T-mobile then you know what the size of the Evo will be. For me that means it is not pocket friendly at all.

3.) INPUT: All touchscreen with no trackball/trackpad or D buttons on a keyboard makes me nervous this year. Even with it is size I am willing to wait a year on that idea.

4.) KEYBOARD: I like the idea of a hardware keyboard. I am not sure if I am ready to go without one yet.

So, for my switch to Android I can choose either the Moment or the Hero. I will be rooting my phone and putting 2.1 on it as soon as I get it.

So here is my question. I know that with the Hero I will be sacrificing about 300MHz and a hardware keyboard for a less bulky, more pocket friendly device. Vs. the Moment. With 2.1 is It worth it? How laggy is it without 2.1 versus with?

I had the moment for a week prior to the software update that gave it decent battery life and made it harder to accidentally dial 911 (the two major reasons I returned it at the time.). The Hardware keyboard was a big adjustment and the phone was huge but other than that it was a great experience.

Does the 2.1 update (rooted/ROM'd) make the Hero worth a try now?

 

[KSmithInNY]

It all depends on you, your interpretation of "lag" or what constitutes a "good" phone to you. You're on a forum for people who own and accept the quirks of the Hero so our opinion may not be the same as yours.

I am running 2.1 on my hero and absolutely love it. That's not to say it's perfect but a large improvement over 1.5. I suggest either waiting until more phones come out that suit your needs or get the Hero after 2.1 comes out officially keeping in mind you have 30 days to return it.

 

[ksoze]

I just recently came from a Pre with the hardware keyboard. Before that it was an 8330 so I get your feeling on the keyboard issue. It turned out to be not that big of a deal for me. But that is just me.

I didnt have 1.5 long enough to get a bad feeling as everyone else seeing how I rooted mine the 3rd day I had it. But I have no complaints yet. Battery life maybe but its been that way since I moved from the 8330.

 

[ballroomdru]

Now that I have seen some more of the Evo....I don't know. It looks REALLY good. I just need to convince my wife.

 

[Mughato]

Now that I have seen some more of the Evo....I don't know. It looks REALLY good. I just need to convince my wife.

Better convince her on the EVO "plan premium" while you're at it.

 

[voghan]

The hero running 2.1 is worth the money. It's a great intro to android and is a nice size phone. Root it right away and install the community rom found in these forums.

 

[wkj]

I was up in the air for a couple months waiting to see what Android phones would be coming out before I upgraded. I decided to go with the Hero knowing the EVO would be released. Rooted, using DC 208 and am really happy. I can actually say that my Hero will keep my happy until my next Premier upgrade (next year).

With lack of news regarding new phone releases for Sprint, I say go for the Hero. The keyboard is nice.....not as nice as hardware, but still usable. Also, I have a feeling that any new smartphone coming out for Sprint will be Wimax capable and will probably come with the $10 upcharge of the EVO. Maybe, maybe not.

wkj

 

[crash0515]

Our sprint rep brought one to the office yesterday. It is a nice looking phone. It is fast compaired to my Hero. Some of the other guys at the office who are still using the BB's want one now. I will probally upgrade to it next month. He said they will have stock by the 5th of June. He did say there was a $10.00 up charge if your on the $69.00 plan. We are all on the simply everything plan at work. He wasn't sure if we would have to pay the $10.00 upcharge or not. But the phone is pretty sweet.

 

[klopinator]

Hero

Running the hero with the Beezy420 lite 2.1 option 4 that you can find here, currently.

On 1.5, I felt like I was using the biggest POS android, but I still loved it.

After rooting and installing 2.1, it's like a whole new phone, way faster.


The only disadvantage to the Hero is graphics performance, as far as I can see. I watched someone with a Droid on a Cyanogen rom pull 27 fps on the benchmark. I get 2.5 fps there.

But already-rendered video and such? No problems at all.

 

[mountaindont]

in all reality, it comes down to whether or not you want:

.sense
.hw keyboard

good luck