I'm currently at CTIA, along with many other phones, i checked out the new Sidekick 4G. I thought maybe giving a different opinion or view would be helpful to the community (not to undermine AC's view). Here's my blunt opinion on it. I'm not going to restrict my views on it because i want you ("Power Users" as i like to call you 
) to understand what you are getting in to.
Hardware:
This is a phone built by Samsung and you can tell. It does not feel like a high quality device in my opinion. To be honestly would go as far as calling it cheap. The rubberized grips are flimsy and the plastic feels like any other Sammy. I used to have the Sidekick ID back when i was on T-Mobile and they feel about the same quality. The hinge mechanism is "OK". First of all it doesn't "side-kick" at all but actually comes up and forward. Its not slim either but thats to be expected. I didn't get all the time in the world for a hands-on but i did get enough to get a good impression that the hardware is not bleeding edge.
Software:
First of all its on Android 2.2.1 (Froyo), which is not the latest, but is still relatively current. The UI layered on to it is obviously meant to impress old sidekick users, hipsters, teens and other simple users. Its got your regular home-screen layout but has a peculiar tab (I guess? Im not sure what to call it) layout on the bottom for apps and such. It wasn't blazing fast but that could have been because every one (including me) were messing with it alot.
I hope this impression plus Android Centrals hands-on video get you a little more view on what T-Mobiles latest phone is up to.
) to understand what you are getting in to.Hardware:
This is a phone built by Samsung and you can tell. It does not feel like a high quality device in my opinion. To be honestly would go as far as calling it cheap. The rubberized grips are flimsy and the plastic feels like any other Sammy. I used to have the Sidekick ID back when i was on T-Mobile and they feel about the same quality. The hinge mechanism is "OK". First of all it doesn't "side-kick" at all but actually comes up and forward. Its not slim either but thats to be expected. I didn't get all the time in the world for a hands-on but i did get enough to get a good impression that the hardware is not bleeding edge.
Software:
First of all its on Android 2.2.1 (Froyo), which is not the latest, but is still relatively current. The UI layered on to it is obviously meant to impress old sidekick users, hipsters, teens and other simple users. Its got your regular home-screen layout but has a peculiar tab (I guess? Im not sure what to call it) layout on the bottom for apps and such. It wasn't blazing fast but that could have been because every one (including me) were messing with it alot.
I hope this impression plus Android Centrals hands-on video get you a little more view on what T-Mobiles latest phone is up to.
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