Thunderbolt tech

[awtenterprise]

I just have a couple questions that have resulted in reading this section for the past couple of weeks. For some quick background, I am in the transition process from BlackBerry and I am 2 weeks into a OG droid test phone.

I am in a Vzw 4G area and plan on getting a 4G phone at or near to launch. I think that I have mostly settled on a Thunderbolt sight unseen. When comparing the phone to what I would consider it's closest competition at launch, the Bionic, I am left with some questions.

Could the Thunderbolt be considered the culmination of a couple years of phone technology peaking with the single core processor? It is obvious that dual core processor phones will be the future. However, there is talk of still needed software optimization and 3D handsets seemingly right around the corner. In my opinion the Bionic is looking more and more like the first evolution in what will be the phone of tomorrow. Will the Thunderbolt still be a solid phone in a year? two years?

I guess another question I have, is will there be some magical break in software that will turn the Bionic into a literal super phone. I am sure that the Thunderbolt will get cracked (eg. CyanogenMod ROM.) Will you be able to overclock and run the Thunderbolt at like 1.3 or 1.5Ghz and have a future proof handset.

I feel like choosing between these two phones is like buying a turbocharged v.s. non turbocharged car. They both cost about the same but with some slight software tweaks the turbocharged car could end up being way more of a machine.

For the record, as stated, I am leaning towards the Thunderbolt on a 1 year. I think with as fast as things are evolving it is a mistake to sign up for a two year contract.

Alright, I am done rambling for now. Any ideas or general conversation into or about my delusional ranting would be appreciated.

AdamT.

 

[rigorx]

To start, you're looking at a great option by paying a little more for your handset and going with a 1 year contract. Mobile tech has been moving SO fast the past years, that even a year now is quite a while. Plus, handsets still sell for a very good chunk of change ~1 year later. You'll recoup most if not all of what you paid for the hardware in a 1 year deal, making your phone "free" in a sense.

I believe we're now at a point where any high end phone, regardless of whether single/dual core, Qualcomm/Tegra CPU, are now fast enough in general, that they will sustain their usability and life span longer than before. However, if you like to have the greatest and latest features, again, the 1 year contract route is great.

Right now, dual core is mostly only going to be a plus if you intend on doing higher end mobile gaming. Also, the Bionic will likely not be around until at least May if not June, which is still a ways off. The TBolt, despite what all the phone nerds & benchmark junkies around here will say, will still be a great and solid phone at the end of 2011 (at least).

And yes, this could possibly be the last generation of single core processors we see. At CES, Qualcomm announced and spoke specs of their 1.2 GHz "Scorpion" dual core processors, due in phones late this year.

 

[zero neck]

im not an expert but i believe the tbolt will be a great phone for a 1 year contract, will be rooted and have dev support, and will also have high resale value when your upgrade comes.

2 years maybe, but by the last few months you'll probably start itching for that new device that shoots lasers and makes sandwiches for you.

 

[awtenterprise]

2 years maybe, but by the last few months you'll probably start itching for that new device that shoots lasers and makes sandwiches for you.

Shooting lasers... that's just crazy. I'll tell you what though, If it can make a grilled cheese sandwich I'm sold.

AdamT.

 

[tekhinator]

Shooting lasers... that's just crazy. I'll tell you what though, If it can make a grilled cheese sandwich I'm sold.

AdamT.

even better if it makes my morning coffee im sold -.-

 

[blackmannx#AC]

I actually wrote a blog about the tech in the Bolt vs the Bionic and despite the dual core whatever I actually prefer the bolt.

Has a more refined feel and I know part of that is the fact that the bionic is still rough and final tweaking has to be done as with all testing devices but HTC has a way to get the most out of the hardware and they did not miss on this unit at all..

You will enjoy this device and I am sure have NO regrets with purchase..

 

[DolfanCole]

I'm glad the OP created this thread. I'm in a very similar position. I currently have a BlackBerry Tour, and have never owned an Android phone. I've been up for contract renewal since last August and haven't bit the bullet yet. Unfortunately, I don't live in a 4G area and apparently won't even get it this year (so having 4G doesn't mean anything to me yet).

With all that, I've looked closely at the new phones coming out, particularly those announced at CES. I really like the TBolt, but prefer the Bionic due mainly to specs. But, now the timeframe is really nagging on me since I've been eligible to upgrade for months!

My dilemna is ... should I go ahead and get the TBolt on a 1-year contract while I wait for the Bionic or other better spec'd devices to come out (and get ironed out)? Or should I continue to wait for the Bionic and get it when it's released?

I've heard great things about HTC and Sense, but I've always gone for the best device out to try and "future proof" as much as I can. Will the TBolt be everything I would want over the next year? Or will I want to ditch it as soon as the Bionic comes out in favor of it?

I've really gone back and forth on this. I really like the TBolt, but I also keep telling myself that I've waited this long, I can wait a couple more months. A big unknown though is when the Bionic will be released. If it comes out by or in April, I think I could wait until then. But, if it's not going to be released until June or so, I don't think I can wait that long. It's the not knowing that makes this much more difficult.

 

[htowngator]

I actually wrote a blog about the tech in the Bolt vs the Bionic and despite the dual core whatever I actually prefer the bolt.

Has a more refined feel and I know part of that is the fact that the bionic is still rough and final tweaking has to be done as with all testing devices but HTC has a way to get the most out of the hardware and they did not miss on this unit at all..

You will enjoy this device and I am sure have NO regrets with purchase..

Yea, I'm thinking of signing up the wife and I on 1-yr contracts for Bolt.

 

[DolfanCole]

I actually wrote a blog about the tech in the Bolt vs the Bionic and despite the dual core whatever I actually prefer the bolt.

Has a more refined feel and I know part of that is the fact that the bionic is still rough and final tweaking has to be done as with all testing devices but HTC has a way to get the most out of the hardware and they did not miss on this unit at all..

You will enjoy this device and I am sure have NO regrets with purchase..

Read the blog. Thanks. A few questions though ... you have the TBolt as having DDR2 RAM and not the Bionic, typo? And there was no real discussion on the battery life of either device. That appears to be a major minus for the TBolt and a major plus for the Bionic. Any thoughts there?

 

[huguleyite]

Well, you ask if this tech will be any good in a year. Just shy of halfway through this year, a 1.2Ghz dual core beast is being released. It's called the Pyramid, but it's on T-mo. For some that's bad, but my area already has T-mo 4G capability and not VZW's. Something to consider. I might still get the T-bolt because well...I like it, but this new announcement does through a little wrench in my plans. Ha ha ha ha ha (scary voice).

 

[awtenterprise]

Blackmanx, read the blog, thanks. It kinda sums up another issue I have with the Bionic vs Atrix. It's weird to me that the bionic is the lesser unit hardware and accessory wise. For one to buy the bionic because it is the best is a non truth.

I think I may just buy the Thunderbolt on a 1 year and hopefully next year Verizon will have the best phone on the block.

AdamT.

 

[zero neck]

I think tbolt on a 1 year will be a great phone, and your contract will come up at probably a very nice time to choose from not just the bionic but a handful of new dual core devices around next christmas.

 

[kr3w1]

I am currently on a 2-year contract. I am eligible for an early upgrade right now. In order to use that i would have to get a new 2-year wouldn't i? My NE2 date is like July.

Would it be possible to do a 1-year w/the TBolt or am i pretty much locked into a 2-year?

 

[zero neck]

I am currently on a 2-year contract. I am eligible for an early upgrade right now. In order to use that i would have to get a new 2-year wouldn't i? My NE2 date is like July.

Would it be possible to do a 1-year w/the TBolt or am i pretty much locked into a 2-year?

i think you have to wait for the contract to actually run out, then you can sign a new contract for 1 year. otherwise, you would be renewing your current, two year, contract.

 

[kr3w1]

i think you have to wait for the contract to actually run out, then you can sign a new contract for 1 year. otherwise, you would be renewing your current, two year, contract.

Ya that's what i thought. November.....no thanks.

 

[karnovaran]

I'm glad the OP created this thread. I'm in a very similar position. I currently have a BlackBerry Tour, and have never owned an Android phone. I've been up for contract renewal since last August and haven't bit the bullet yet. Unfortunately, I don't live in a 4G area and apparently won't even get it this year (so having 4G doesn't mean anything to me yet).

With all that, I've looked closely at the new phones coming out, particularly those announced at CES. I really like the TBolt, but prefer the Bionic due mainly to specs. But, now the timeframe is really nagging on me since I've been eligible to upgrade for months!

My dilemna is ... should I go ahead and get the TBolt on a 1-year contract while I wait for the Bionic or other better spec'd devices to come out (and get ironed out)? Or should I continue to wait for the Bionic and get it when it's released?

I've heard great things about HTC and Sense, but I've always gone for the best device out to try and "future proof" as much as I can. Will the TBolt be everything I would want over the next year? Or will I want to ditch it as soon as the Bionic comes out in favor of it?

I've really gone back and forth on this. I really like the TBolt, but I also keep telling myself that I've waited this long, I can wait a couple more months. A big unknown though is when the Bionic will be released. If it comes out by or in April, I think I could wait until then. But, if it's not going to be released until June or so, I don't think I can wait that long. It's the not knowing that makes this much more difficult.

In my opinion, the key differentiator for dual-core is gaming. If you're going to find yourself wanting to dabble with legit gaming on Android, dual-core is the better choice. If you're planning to focus on standard apps, e-mail, messaging, internet, and the like, this 2nd generation Snapdragon will more than suffice. It will handle most games pretty well too, but not some of the more advanced titles sure to come out in the next year.

 

[DolfanCole]

In my opinion, the key differentiator for dual-core is gaming. If you're going to find yourself wanting to dabble with legit gaming on Android, dual-core is the better choice. If you're planning to focus on standard apps, e-mail, messaging, internet, and the like, this 2nd generation Snapdragon will more than suffice. It will handle most games pretty well too, but not some of the more advanced titles sure to come out in the next year.

I don't game at all on my phone (although my phone really is not built for any gaming). And I do have an iPod Touch and iPad where I do have games. So, I doubt that gaming would be at all important for me. I do, however, use my phone extensively for e-mail, calendar, and web browsing; very much what one would characterize as a business-type user.

I guess too, optimal use of a dual-core processor will not happen until a version of the OS (Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, or whatever) is released for it. I'm guessing the lead time before that actually gets updated on a particular device will be quite a bit, depending on the manufacturer. So, maybe I should more appropriately consider the Bionic when the OS is more optimized for it -- which may be much closer to the end of the year at the earliest.

 

[thebizz]

I'm leaning towards the bolt I have no doubt that the bionic will be a beast, but I want a phone that's slightly more open and I've read that the tegra 2 can't clock each core at different speeds which is a drag to me. Hopefully I will hear more on that. Honestly I see the tegra 2 like the first gen snapdragon it will be great but only the tip of the iceberg

 

[rigorx]

I've read that the tegra 2 can't clock each core at different speeds which is a drag to me. Hopefully I will hear more on that. Honestly I see the tegra 2 like the first gen snapdragon it will be great but only the tip of the iceberg

This is correct. Qualcomm's "Scorpion" dual core CPU can clock the gates at different speeds, which in the end will help conserve even more battery life. Tegra 2 cannot.

Also, you can bet with the explosion in the mobile market, Nvidia is going to be moving very fast. Leaked slides already show Tegra 3 to be out before too long, which is quad core and FAR more powerful than Tegra 2.

 

[thebizz]

And that's why I will get this on a one year just so im ready for a quadcore monster