what are your first impressions of the photon?

[VDub2174]

So on the Evo3D, Sprint allowed the uninstallation of the carrier bloatware. Did they allow normal uninstallation of the bloatware on the Photon as well?

Yes, I have already uninstalled the Nascar app and a few others.

I got rid of the Nascar app as well uninstalled the Sprint TV app too cause I never use it.

 

[Cubfan]

Took me about an hour to know I had to dump PhilBlur. Damn, what a terrible launcher.

 

[PhoneJunkie]

I'm a little disappointed to be honest. I'm having terrible lag with the UI, I've had to pull the battery out a couple times because on a phone call the person on the other end couldn't here me. Maybe I've got a defective unit.

 

[chimay13]

Ok, so fixed the proximity sensor/keypad staying active during phone call issue. Did a Google search and found it's an issue with the Artixs also. Have to toggle Pocket Mode on/off. Pocket mode still doesn't work for squat, but at least my cheek doesn't keep trying to dial numbers during a call.

As for ambient light sensor, still buggy. Doesn't seem to react to light changes much. But tapping power button to cycle screen on/off seems to make it shift brightness.

Overall, having just come off half a decade+ with Blackberry, I'm more than thrilled with this phone. The ability to customize is off the hook. As much of Sprint's bloatware that can be removed has been. GingerBlur didn't do much for me, so now most of the phone is switched to Go stuff. (Go launcher ex, Go sms, Go contacts. Much, much happier with that.

Barring the small issue of auto brightness being slow/inop, I am loving this thing. Gotta get the hdmi dock. If for no other reason than it looks incredibly stupid having a usb cord sticking out of your phone at night while on the kickstand. But best note is that if you love to tinker with stuff and tweak it to hell, this phone rocks. Now about that unlocked bootloader.......

 

[Septiformus]

Coming from the EVO 4G, the screen does seem darker, but it's easier to see outside which is a big plus.
Also the switched menu and home buttons keeps ****ing with me

 

[Cubfan]

The more I play with it, the more I hate this screen. Doesn't display enough colors, which makes video dark and muddy. I watch a lot of video on mu phone. If there is not a promise to fix, it may go back.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

 

[mercury99]

The widgets and icons are smaller than they are on my Evo, so the gap between icons/widgets is larger, which I was disappointed about at first. After using the phone I've gotten used to it, larger icons would be nice, but it still looks good now.

I stopped by the local Sprint store and the actual physical screen dimensions look and feel a bit smaller vs. EVO 4G. The Photon screen is narrower by 0.1" (even diagonal size is the same 4.3")

 

[redbullsc10]

i just traded in my nexus s for the photon and I'm impressed with it so far. Its smooth and fast i have better service now back to what i had when i was using my evo 4g (not dropping calls or failing to send text messages). The device has a good build quality to me feels and looks nice in the hand. I do see some people complaining about the screen-Motorola screens are some of the least bright of any smart phone but I think the Photon has the best of the moto phones out to date. I never thought I would ever like or buy a Moto phone but i am very happy with it.

 

[VMdoug]

Not exactly a FIRST impression since I've had the Photon for about 24 hours but so far I LOVE it. I'm coming from an EVO 4G and the Photon just feels so much better in my hand. I'm loving the speed and I can't wait to travel overseas again and use the world functionality (using a local SIM, not the Sprint one at $19/MB)...The Sprint reps told me local SIMs would work and that it's not locked (except in the US).

My biggest complaint is the battery cover. Not the look/feel but actually removing it...it feels like I'm going to break one of the tabs that make it click on. I would prefer a sliding battery cover but the EVO was similar and I didn't break it after over a year

I was surprised how "blue" the Photon can look. Depending on the light, it has a blue tint. Add this to the faceted design and I think they should have called in the Sapphire instead of Photon.

My corporate email sync it working fine but I can't seem to find an option to change the message size for downloads. I hate pressing "download more", I'm on Sprint after all and I have unlimited data...

Overall I'm very happy with my purchase. I bought the car dock today at a local Sprint store and love it too. The fact that the micro USB cable includes the AUX input is sweet! Also, if you have limited space in your vehicle you can use the mount in portrait mode, works just fine.

Now I'm just waiting for Sprint/Moto to release a LapDock for this phone...please?