Upgrading From the Optimus: Which Device?

[apinkel]

Some random thoughts...

If you want speed, more storage space, very good camera/camcorder and a larger screen I'd recommend the Epic Touch. Fastest phone available in the US right now and very few if any issues with this phone have been reported so far. Doesn't have the highest resolution screen but outside of that the screen is very good.

If you want the best reception and call quality and a high resolution screen that is probably one of the best for outdoor use (very bright) I'd recommend the photon. Only significant issue I've heard of on this device is that some folks have had random reboots. An update has been released to help address this but I'm not sure if it's cleared up the issue or not.

If you want a high resolution screen that looks even better than the photon in a nice sized device I'd recommend checking out the Evo 3D. The 3D is kinda nifty although I doubt it's a necessity for too many people. Call quality and reception have been more questionable on this phone though.

If you want to save some cash...
-Look at the Nexus S if you want a stock android device that will get the latest version of android first
-Look at the Epic 4G or Evo Shift if you gotta have a keyboard
-Look at the XPRT if you want a solid android blackberry clone

...and if you want a low priced, decently performing phone with an active development community (but limited storage space) get the the optimus S .

 

[grantheppes]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the Optimus, it really is a great device-- where it lacks in some areas it makes up for in others, a lot of that is due to the incredible developers here who have unleashed the potential of the device. (And to think I almost went with the 2010 version of the Samsung Transform...)

One of the things that has peaked my interest in the quest for the right device is the recently announced partnership between HTC and Beats by Dre which thus far has produced the HTC Sensation XE. I'm the type who is constantly streaming music through my Android on the train, at the gym, out running; pretty much everywhere, so I'm curious to see if Sprint gets a device resulting from this partnership (nothing even in the rumor mill at this point). Personally amazing audio is more appealing to me than 3D will ever be...

A lot if my good friends are music producers and work with some pretty big artists. They all told me that Beats by Dre is much more of a gimmick then quality sound and would never use them. I have no info beyond that, but they do know their stuff.

As a person who studied marketing in school, I would say that this is much more of a marketing deal for HTC than a hardware deal. Being able to have beats by Dre on display next to each phone is what they most likely paid for.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[FitChicago]

A lot if my good friends are music producers and work with some pretty big artists. They all told me that Beats by Dre is much more of a gimmick then quality sound and would never use them. I have no info beyond that, but they do know their stuff.

That is really helpful to know, I'm glad your friends shared that with you and thankful you shared that info with us. I guess I bought into the hype and idea that HTC was optimizing the hardware for this-- I imagined a Bose-like sound and performance on an Android device... Oh well... :'(

One of my only frustrations with the Optimus S has been that occasionally apps like iHeartRadio, Google Music Beta, A Online Radio or XM will crash due to it being overwhelmed by streaming audio running with GMail, MailDroid & Facebook being the primary apps running in the background (I have 1.42G SD storage available and 79MB internal storage available)... Nothing disrupts a good run faster than having to fiddle with the Optimus when an app crashes.

That being said, if there is something to look for in a device (more memory, better processor, etc) that someone would deem as must-have for a user like me, I'd be thrilled to read your thoughts.

Thanks again!

 

[scrosler]

Hi All:

I'm sure many of us have an upgrade becoming available in the coming weeks or months and I'm curious which Sprint Android device you are considering as a replacement for the Optimus S.

As I begin to research which device I'm going to get, I figured what better place to get great feedback than my fellow rooters & ROMers.

At this point I haven't given it much thought but the names Photon, Nexus, EVO (although 3D sounds so lame to me), and Galaxy S keep appearing in my cursory look at what is out there. I become eligible November 1 but don't want to jump the gun if the next greatest thing is coming to Sprint shortly after.

I really appreciate any thoughts you all might share.

Thanks!

I got the 3D as it was best out at the time. I love it. Its amazing.

Now, I would recomend the Samsung Galaxy S™ ll, Epic™ 4G Touch. Nothing compares to it.

In 4 weeks, there will be a better phone... 4 weeks later, there will be an even better phone, 4 weeks after that.... You get the idea, lol

Right now that is hands down the best phone out. I may go grab one this week.... maybe....

Pretty much any phone you buy right now will be an upgrade from the Optimus. Optimus is very old in terms of Phone years, lol. Technology evolves FAST.

 

[mike9670]

I got the Optimus when it was first released in November 2010......at that time the Transformer, EVO 4G, Intercept and Kyocera Zio were the other 'droids.

 

[sfhub]

For me, I think I get the last chance at a one year upgrade this fall before premier program ends. For the price, I think the Nexus-S will be my best deal. The new Epic 4G is HUGE with the 4.5" screen, almost a tablet :-$.

If you qualify for you upgrade on or before 10/1 I really would consider using it on or before 10/1 as you will get your next upgrade in 11-12 months instead of 20 months.

 

[sfhub]

One of my only frustrations with the Optimus S has been that occasionally apps like iHeartRadio, Google Music Beta, A Online Radio or XM will crash due to it being overwhelmed by streaming audio running with GMail, MailDroid & Facebook being the primary apps running in the background (I have 1.42G SD storage available and 79MB internal storage available)... Nothing disrupts a good run faster than having to fiddle with the Optimus when an app crashes.

That being said, if there is something to look for in a device (more memory, better processor, etc) that someone would deem as must-have for a user like me, I'd be thrilled to read your thoughts.

I don't really think your phone would get overwhelmed (from a hardware standpoint) with online streaming audio. I can use slingbox streaming video for hours and not have problems. Most likely there is a bug somewhere in some software.

 

[markcox87]

The galaxy s2 is the way to go dual core processor, 1gig ram, and 8mp camera its the best out from sprint

 

[grantheppes]

That is really helpful to know, I'm glad your friends shared that with you and thankful you shared that info with us. I guess I bought into the hype and idea that HTC was optimizing the hardware for this-- I imagined a Bose-like sound and performance on an Android device... Oh well... :'(

One of my only frustrations with the Optimus S has been that occasionally apps like iHeartRadio, Google Music Beta, A Online Radio or XM will crash due to it being overwhelmed by streaming audio running with GMail, MailDroid & Facebook being the primary apps running in the background (I have 1.42G SD storage available and 79MB internal storage available)... Nothing disrupts a good run faster than having to fiddle with the Optimus when an app crashes.

That being said, if there is something to look for in a device (more memory, better processor, etc) that someone would deem as must-have for a user like me, I'd be thrilled to read your thoughts.

Thanks again!

I think all of us have learned from the Optimus that hardware specs aren't always the end all be all. Its the software that seems to be most important, IMO.

**Gazes at his Optimus S on the Shelf** Our old little friend, Optimus S, runs like a champ and its because it is very light on the customization done by Sprint, its pretty much stock android.

Yes, having awesome hardware is great and really should be considered but at the same time you should do your research on how many bugs or how smooth the user experience is.

I recently recommended a Droid Charge to my friend, she originally had the first Droid and liked Android a lot. Once she got the Droid Charge, we both found that software was full of bugs, constant force closes, lagging, etc. Switched it out for a new one and the same problems persisted; the awesome dual core processor in that Droid Charge didn't do much for how horribly put together the software was.

I have heard that the Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch from Cory Streater is very solid when it comes to the software.

 

[epidenimus]

The more I read this thread, the more I remember why I chose the Optimus S in the first place. I wanted a solid phone that played music and did some other cool stuff. Really, if all it did was make phone calls, do text messages, and fill the role of the music player I was also shopping, that would have made me happy. I also liked the idea of running a real browser from time to time (coming from a Palm Centro, this was huge). I had no delusions of watching a movie on my phone. The grounding question I always have to ask myself before committing to a mobile device is: Do I want a cool phone or a ****ty laptop? Because you're not gonna get a real laptop for $200 and it is not work paying $200 for a cool phone to me.

The Optimus fit the bill perfectly. Compact enough to be portable and not need its own steward or sidecar, feels significant in my hand, wasn't stumbling to run the current software after a reboot still in the store. I had looked at the Zio and liked the look & feel, but it was laggy before I did anything to it. And... the Optimus was reasonably priced; I got mine for $0 on a Sprint promo, but would have paid the $50 that Radio Shack wanted if that hadn't come along. If you have a clue, you know that all this hardware stuff, no matter how fancy, is put together by Chinamen or Taiwanese underpaid workers and sold to the stores for <$20/unit. Sorry, but I have a real issue with paying $200 for that in store. I don't care if you call it Epic or Legendary or Deity or whatever. Marketing calls it a Woo; I know it's a Wu.

Anyway, my point is that the Optimus and its success is a story about value. I find it odd that most are pushing the top of the line devices as an upgrade to a product model that was never billed as such.

 

[markcox87]

Well if you don't want top of the line, the lg marquee us going to be out soon and its a nice upgrade from the optimus and since lg had worked out so great to all of us why not keep it going?