switching from iphone to thunderbolt

[MikeDUBS]

So, I'm thinking about taking the plunge from the iPhone 3gs to the TB. I've done a lot of reading over the last few days and I'm pretty convinced this is the way I want to go. I'm curious as to what other people's experiences (that were long-term iOS users switching to Android) have been.

 

[Forgetful]

Cant go wrong unless you have a strong need for battery life over 10-24 hours depending on severity of usage.

 

[willis936]

I suggest the extended battery for the freedom it gives. Be prepared for an incredibly awesome screen. I can't even use my ipod touch anymore after getting spoiled by the size of the screen. Keyboard should be an easy transition. A lot of similarities between the layout of things like menus, settings, homescreens, etc. The screen doesn't have the blue tint that iPhones do so some claimed first day that it had a pink tint when in fact it does not.

-stock HTC Thunderbolt tapatalk

 

[nismo591]

I have had every iteration of the iphone since it came out with AT&T and also had the iphone 4 with Verizon and AT&T. With that said I do enjoy my TB. It is true the battery can be used up quickly when using the large screen and 4g but I purchased an extra 1500 battery on ebay for 15 bucks and problem solved. I enjoy my TB way more then my iphone. While there isnt as many games for android as the iphone I still have no problem getting the applications I want. I had a droid x before getting my verizon iphone and I wasnt too happy with it. With the TB I find it as speedy as the iphone for general use and with 4g speeds there is no comparison to it. I would highly recommend it and coming from a long time ios user I am very happy.

 

[Halcyon]

Android will feel like freedom. It's highly customizable. On the Thunderbolt HTC Sense allows for a ton of options. Also I cant speak to the iPhone community... but the Android community is extreamly helpful. The Thunderbolt users and this forum have been amazing.

 

[dutchbrown]

Android will feel like freedom. It's highly customizable. On the Thunderbolt HTC Sense allows for a ton of options. Also I cant speak to the iPhone community... but the Android community is extreamly helpful. The Thunderbolt users and this forum have been amazing.

I agree wholeheartedly. I, and some good friends of mine, loved the iPhones but the Android phones are MUCH better (well, with the exception of the Samsungs, I don't like how they've "wrapped" Android) and we are all very content with the switch. I switched ~ 6 months ago, them in the last 3 months, and no one has regretted the switch.

For us, it's all about the reliability AND the freedom to customize.....

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Android will feel like freedom. It's highly customizable. On the Thunderbolt HTC Sense allows for a ton of options. Also I cant speak to the iPhone community... but the Android community is extreamly helpful. The Thunderbolt users and this forum have been amazing.

Exactly. I completely stopped using my iPhone after I got my first Droid and never looked back. The widgets and notification system alone make it worth the switch. I also recommend a second battery or an extended life one.

 

[Mike_is_Mike]

I have had every iteration of the iphone since it came out with AT&T and also had the iphone 4 with Verizon and AT&T. With that said I do enjoy my TB. It is true the battery can be used up quickly when using the large screen and 4g but I purchased an extra 1500 battery on ebay for 15 bucks and problem solved. I enjoy my TB way more then my iphone. While there isnt as many games for android as the iphone I still have no problem getting the applications I want. I had a droid x before getting my verizon iphone and I wasnt too happy with it. With the TB I find it as speedy as the iphone for general use and with 4g speeds there is no comparison to it. I would highly recommend it and coming from a long time ios user I am very happy.

How much would you say you have spent on cell phones in an the past two years?

 

[Edwill86]

I suggest the extended battery for the freedom it gives. Be prepared for an incredibly awesome screen. I can't even use my ipod touch anymore after getting spoiled by the size of the screen. Keyboard should be an easy transition. A lot of similarities between the layout of things like menus, settings, homescreens, etc. The screen doesn't have the blue tint that iPhones do so some claimed first day that it had a pink tint when in fact it does not.

-stock HTC Thunderbolt tapatalk

Lol same! I actually got frustrated trying to use my ipod after using my bolt for 2 weeks and leaving my ipod touch in the car.

Its an awesome phone and android is great as well.
Signature say my feeling on it though

 

[terrain]

As a viphone user and tb user the only major problem is the lack of a seamless video teleconferencing solution. No Skype yet and nothing as easy as facetime. I still keep my viphone around just for these features.

 

[karmamule]

Take some time to get to know widgets and what they can do. Anytime you install a new app check to see if it has one or more widgets. They're easy to overlook if you're a former iPhone user because there's nothing like them on iOS. They're great to have, so don't overlook them!

 

[heu77]

I had iPhone since 2006, owned 4 iPhone models; two weeks ago, I took out a TB due to frustration with weak signal of AT&T in my work place. From my limited experience, I would not be willing to completely give up the iPhone. Simply speaking, TB is way too bulky, very short battery life, and the large screen doesn't give the feeling of more stuff on the screen. The fond spacing, graphic arrangement and icons are not as elegant as for iPhones. However, Verizon network works better at my work (but bad at my home).

 

[bigcanoe]

Anyone gone from iPhone 4 to TB?

 

[mo-bile#AC]

I've owned every iPHone since it came out and just sold my iPhone 4 on ebay for $525! Love the TB and Android and am happy with the switch. I can deal with the battery issues.

 

[Charmed Juan]

An Iphone and a Thunderbolt are two completely different phones. One is small, the other large. One is simple (limited) one is more complex.
You need to check out a TB before you get one online. These are larger phones. The screen is great but the size may put you off.

 

[flashpiti]

As a viphone user and tb user the only major problem is the lack of a seamless video teleconferencing solution. No Skype yet and nothing as easy as facetime. I still keep my viphone around just for these features.

This. I also found that when I had a viphone i used it for different things then my bolt -- games, Netflix, and Skype/FaceTime. With my bolt I use it primarily for productivity and web browsing. We definitely need Skype and Netflix ASAP.

 

[jakej914]

I switched from an iPhone 4 to the TB, and switched back due to a few frustrations. However, after doing more research, I am going to switch back to the TB (haha). I've owned an iPhone since the 3G, and I hadn't left the iPhone community until I bought the TB. I'll tell you why I switched, and why I'm switching back.

I'm not a fan of HTC's replacement contacts application. It looks like garbage, especially considering the stock application is so good. I have a Mac, and I love managing my contacts and calendars in Address Book and iCal—I'm not a huge fan of using webapps to manage all of my information. HTC's keyboard is HORRID, IMO. And keyboards downloaded from the Market leave something to be desired. (For instance the Gingerbread keyboard, which I like, works, but it isn't terribly responsive--remember, I'm coming from an iPhone 4.) Also, some things you think should happen (like music pausing when playing a YouTube video) just don't. Finally, the power button just isn't very good.

Now, why I'm going back (there are a lot of reasons). I like being able to quickly search with the press of a button. I actually really like having a little notification light. The notification system is drastically improved. Google Voice and texting with Google Voice just works. The problems I cited above could be remedied with root and a new ROM (waiting, first and foremost for CM7). Amazon Cloud Player is pretty exciting. I've found some decent syncing solutions that will keep my groups and calendars in sync with Google. Finally, I'm tired of Apple thinking I'm a moron. I'll miss the hardware, but I'll be happy to be back on a platform that I can do more with.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

An Iphone and a Thunderbolt are two completely different phones. One is small, the other large. One is simple (limited) one is more complex.
You need to check out a TB before you get one online. These are larger phones. The screen is great but the size may put you off.

I've never really understood the appeal of a phone being small, To me "small" = "easier to drop or loose" I love how the TBolt feels in my hand, very solid -- much more so than the new iPhone or many other Androids like the Fascinate -- of course I also carry my phones in belt pouches not pockets.

I do totally agree thought hat you need to touch this phone and hold it in your hand before you buy. That's the main reason I risked being out of stock and didn't just order it online the night it launched.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

I'm not a fan of HTC's replacement contacts application. It looks like garbage, especially considering the stock application is so good.

I felt the same way (well maybe not as strongly) when I got the DInc a year ago, but it has grown on me. There are other dialer and phone-book apps in the market though. Check XDA Developers website it is possible someone has ripped the stock one out of another rom and made it compatible with the TB. I know they did it with the 3D gallery app from the Moto Droid Froyo and made it work on the DInc (same APK also works on the TB btw).

I have a Mac, and I love managing my contacts and calendars in Address Book and iCal?I'm not a huge fan of using webapps to manage all of my information.

And see to me one of the great things about Android is being able to free yourself from the computer and having to sync the info. Update a contact in an Android phone and it is almost instantly upgraded in the cloud (and any other devices using the same Google account). No need to manually sync it with a computer (even if you can do it wirelessly now it seems like an excess step).

HTC's keyboard is HORRID, IMO. And keyboards downloaded from the Market leave something to be desired. (For instance the Gingerbread keyboard, which I like, works, but it isn't terribly responsive--remember, I'm coming from an iPhone 4.)

Respectfully disagree here. I had an iPhone 3G S (and did have iOS 4 on it) and absolutely HATED the keyboard. The sensitivity was better than most I have used BUT it kept guessing the word I wanted WRONG. Any speed gain I got from a more sensitive keyboard was lost going back and fixing things (sometimes more than once because it still wanted to correct me).

Also, some things you think should happen (like music pausing when playing a YouTube video) just don't. Finally, the power button just isn't very good.

This can be irritating but I think it is a price we pay for a phone with TRUE multitasking and as the hardware gets better I think this will go away.

I actually really like having a little notification light. The notification system is drastically improved.

The iPhone does not even have a notification "system" just a Hodge podge of pop-ups which get frustrating and confusing when you have more than one alert come in.

Finally, I'm tired of Apple thinking I'm a moron.

CLASSIC!

 

[MikeDUBS]

Thanks for all the input. I'm definitely gonna be checking the phone out in person before I pick it up. I just wanted to make sure that I would enjoy my Android experience after switching from iOS or if I would immediately regret the decision.

Overall, I'm really excited to pick up this phone. If all goes as planned, I'll be picking up my TB at the end of the month.