Returning for the GS2?

[rhleek]

The Photon has met all my expectations, especially with the radio reception ability, speakers, and call clarity. Throw in that Google will soon be the Moto owner and I see only good things down the road. Waited for the Epic 4g, but after seeing what it can really do, and based on past Samsung history for poor reception and slow updates, decided to stick
with the very solid and reliable Photon. Use Go Launcher over Motoblur and that makes for a really nice phone with great specs!

 

[jfenton]

Until Samsung can prove they're willing to consistently support their phones in the US after release, I'm not buying one. They're beautiful and powerful and invoke gadget lust, but their support is atrocious. How long did it take for the Epic to get Froyo? And when it did, it was an utter mess. Verizon's Galaxy S variant was practically abandoned after release. My fiance hates her Epic so much (terrible battery life, wonky GPS, crashes, etc.) she's completely turned off Android (despite my best efforts to convince her it's the phone's fault) and is determined to pick up an iPhone.

So no, I'm keeping my Photon, thanks.

I have a hard time believing all of this EPIC 4G hate...we have three in our family...all have perfect GPS, no lag, everything works and the battery life doesn't suck on any of them.

 

[aptmx]

Trade in my Motorola Photon for a Samsung? Seriously? Samsung places the U.S. on the list of countries they care about/support on the way bottom. (Releasing this here how late after the rest of the world, extremely slow updates) Motorola is quite the opposite. Plus Samsung phones are way to plasticky and toy like. Never would even consider returning one for the GS2.

 

[RBrown9180]

I have a hard time believing all of this EPIC 4G hate...we have three in our family...all have perfect GPS, no lag, everything works and the battery life doesn't suck on any of them.

Mine was like that too...when I first got it and it had 2.1. Then got the update and it totally trashed the phone. I'm definetly gun shy about samsung now. I didn't believe the hype about the bad updates when I bought my epic. I learned the hard way. Won't go back to samsung until they have proven to handle updates MUCH BETTER!

 

[Mike77]

Mine was like that too...when I first got it and it had 2.1. Then got the update and it totally trashed the phone. I'm definetly gun shy about samsung now. I didn't believe the hype about the bad updates when I bought my epic. I learned the hard way. Won't go back to samsung until they have proven to handle updates MUCH BETTER!

Same here, was fine then froyo trashed my keyboard and gps.

Photon works great out of the box, not going to go Samsung and need to ROM to get it to work. Its nice to have options to use ROMS, but you shouldn't have to.

 

[jfenton]

Well...I had three photos that absolutely s*cked out of the box so I gave up. Their MR5 "fix" for the silent call and rebooting issues caused issues with WIFI.

My EVO 4G was fine till they updated that to Froyo so it isn't just Samsung folks.

 

[LeaninBack916]

The Photon is an awesome device. The only problem I have is that the ROM community is very slow and lacking.

The phone itself is beastly. Reception is ridiculously great.

 

[sjamie]

I'm amazed by this phone so much that I probably won't even install a custom ROM. That says a lot!

 

[ScandaLeX]

I'm amazed by this phone so much that I probably won't even install a custom ROM. That says a lot!

My sentiments exactly. This, so far, has been the only phone I've not had an obsession to do anything too other than rooting it.

 

[Mike77]

My sentiments exactly. This, so far, has been the only phone I've not had an obsession to do anything too other than rooting it.

Same here.

 

[popologuy]

I'm a Pre Minus converted Android user, since the Day of Darkness in August when i found out that the Pre3 was as far away from my hands as the very Moon in the sky.

My brain is overwhelmed with the vast selection of phones, not to mention the speed at which new phones come flying out of the manufacturers.

I checked out the 3D: ouch, that hurt my eyeballs! My friend has the Epic, but it didn't "wow" me. I decided on the Photon after reading several reviews and seeing the update that fixed a lot of problems in the first month. I also figured that since Google bought the cow, it would be better to graze in those fields - right at the source (code).

I get my webOS fix from a near constant use of the Touchpad while at home. Only thing I am needing now is freetethering through an app, and I am done with thinking about new phones for a long time. Until some Asian company buys webOS and comes out with a solid great big device to play with my Touchpad: then, I'm all in, baby!

 

[oskar1995]

I've been debating this issue of returning from the Galaxy S2 for quite some time. Even put off buying the Photon for awhile while waiting. Now owning the device, and with the date fast approaching I need to make up my mind. I love the Photon. Great hardware, reception is definitely above average and I don't notice the screen. I wish battery life was batter (as with any smart phone I see this being an issue) and I wish my data speeds were more consistent (its getting pretty bad with 3g, ranges from .05 to 1.5 and there seems to be NOTHING that fixes it or lets me draw conclusions about it.

I like the idea of the 4.5" screen (I'm 6'4" my pockets are all big enough), Super AMOLED Plus and what appears to be one of the best battery management systems on a phone. I'm definitely concerned about their update history and the fact it took so long to release this phone in the US (a pretty large cell phone market). I'm sure both phones are great, but its tough to make a decision when it is clearly splitting hairs.

Also to add to the update posts. I loved my Evo 4G on Froyo, I thought Gingerbread KILLED that phone.

 

[Walter E Kurtz]

For me I was waiting to hear at least SOMETHING about the GSII before making any final decisions on a phone. My Pre broke about 9 months ago, and I was unwilling to pay the $100 for unsurance to get a new one, so I decided to wing it with my old Treo 755p. That also ended up breaking big time in mid-August, right around the time I was contemplating the GSII (well it had been months of reviews and impressions, but there still wasn't anything definitive for the US). I had to make a decision: get a crappy old phone like one of my family members old Razor and wait for he GSII to be announced, or get the similarly spec'ed Photon. After much consideration, I chose the Photon and believe I made the right decision.

My Photon score after having it for 3 weeks:

Display - 9.0 (Very good, however it could be a little more vibrant and the blacks a little darker, otherwise the sensitivity for the touch is phenomenal, up there with iPhone 4.)

Call Quality - 10.0 (The best I've ever had. It's so clear I want to use the term "HD" but can't without sounding like an idiot.)

Reception - 9.0 (It's better than any phone I've had, however there are still some places that I can't get great reception, notably my house, where I can make a phone call, but I can't hold it to my ear or else it'll disconnect 1/4 times.)

Media - 10.0 (Emulators, Wiimotes, Micro HDMI: portable gaming system in your pocket, with some of the best games ever.)

Internet 9.0 - [Browsing the web is perfect for a phone. I'm using the Dolphin browser, so far the best mobile browser I've used. Connection speeds could be better, sometimes it takes a while to load a page when on 3G; and 4G, while I don't use it often, isn't what I was expecting (basically thinking that I'd be able to replace my home internet with this, not that I ever would actually do that.)]

Kickstand 11.0 - All phones should have this.

So back to the GSII, I won't be getting it.

 

[|-KGB-|CaptHowdy]

benefit of working for sprint is i have the photon, will be keeping the photon. Getting the GS2 and will be keeping it. I loved my epic so i dont know why so many ppl talk bad about it. Out of the box the epic did suck but i dont leave anything stock. So that wasnt an issue for me. I am loving the photon and will not talk bad about it but the screen does affect my decision a bit. i do miss the amoled and no i am not flaming or wanting to be flamed for my opinion. By no means is the photon bad and i love it. just think i might like the gs2 a bit more for my tastes.

 

[sjamie]

Anyone actually decide to take the plunge? What are your thoughts after actually using the Epic Touch 4G?

 

[JPD]

I returned the PHOTON back on the 26th of August. I loved the PHOTON but wanted to be sure that the call issues were going to be fixed... I was really tempted to get the GSIIET but actually chose to get the PHOTON back... I just really like the phone and couldn't see spending the extra $100 for the GSII... I originally got the PHOTON from Sprint for $200... bought it this time from Best Buy for $100....

I see it as a win for me... I really like the PHOTON

 

[sjamie]

That's awesome, JPD!

 

[Derek_B]

I've had the Photon for a few days now and I love it!

I can't imagine trading it in for anything else.

 

[Sean-Troy]

I just got the photon. Coming from the 3d. Love it so far. The signal strenghth is amazing!


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I made the same switch I love sense and all but I was having problems with my signal strength aswell if you don't mind me asking what city and state are you in also go launcher and sbp shell are nice

 

[Photon4glover]

I am keeping mine. After the update I have not had any problems. The car dock is awesome and I got two of the desktop docks really cheap. There are still some shortcomings like: no setting to turn off mobile web browsing, extra taps to send a test message, no auto HTML email, some problems with different music files (popping and skipping), dropped calls (probably Sprint network problem)and some other minor issues that won't convince me to take it back. The call quality and volume alone are enough to live with some of the bugs.

Dude I had same problems with music. Use Google's music app you can get it off market

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