Controversy over the look of our Droid x2 - Motorola Droid X2

Maybe this has been a topic, maybe not. Haven't seen too much discussion about it, so I thought I would create a topic about it. This is more of a general discussion. There definitely is a bit of controversy of the look of the Droid x2, at least, in my head.
The opposing views being that I can understand Motorola's desire of not wanting any major design changes. On the other hand, where the hell is my camera button?! Sometimes I understand, sometimes I don't. I work with a lot of people, obviously, cause I'm a business owner, and almost everyone looks at my phone and says, "oh yeah, I used to have a Droid X," or "my brother has a Droid X." Explaining to them that this isn't a Droid X it's a Droid X2, usually gets no where, no just don't understand.
Thoughts? What's your opinion? I think they should I have done something a little different besides the battery cover to distinguish a difference. Like put "x2" next to Motorola at the top or something.

To be honest there's only two design changes they need to make on this phone.
1.) Soft-touch menus buttons.
2.) Physical camera button.
...if they kept everything else the same I wouldn't care. Although if it's possible to get rid of the hump I wouldn't mind that either. I wasn't too fond of it when I purchased it, but I grown used to the hump.

I hear ya. My coworker has an X, and if you put them side by side, you can tell the difference, albeit minor. Screen color/cover is different, plus ours is black and the original is more grey.
Still, could've done more...
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium

Yeah, a camera button would have been great... This is actually my first Moto phone ever and I love it! I really don't understand why they removed the camera button... It is such a pain in the neck to try and take a picture of urself without opening the settings menu... The search button hack camera was a great attempt that kinda wore off because it wasnt the default camera.... I really miss the widescreen pics in eclipse but it seems Nitro has it figured out.... Now if someone could just redirect the onscreen button to the search button that would be amazing!

Also, our buttons are more recessed...
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium

This is why the camera button was removed. Now they could have designed a better one, but the way the camera was designed anyway, it was just poor design, it was a little chip that sat on gold connectors (literally sat there) on the main board. So rather than fix the problem and make a major design change, they just plain removed it.
Don't get me wrong, amazing phone. Just wanted to discuss the design, I wish they would have made it a bit different.
And I get ya on the buttons, I too wish they were soft buttons. What would have been a cool distinguishing feature!

I kind of like it though. People are like "Oh, a Droid X!" ....."No, no my friend, let me show you what's under the hood..."
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium

Coming from an OG Droid, I love the hard keys. Just me though

mistawolfe said:
Also, our buttons are more recessed...
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard of this on reviews comparing the phones, but I don't personally have this problem because I have a black-rubbery cover over the phone, and the cover makes the buttons very easy to press because it makes them more raised.
It's much easier to press them through the cover versus holding the phone naked.

0vermind said:
This is why the camera button was removed. Now they could have designed a better one, but the way the camera was designed anyway, it was just poor design, it was a little chip that say on gold connectors on the main board. So rather than fix the problem and make a major design change, they just plain removed it.
Don't get me wrong, amazing phone. Just wanted to discuss the design, I wish they would have made it a bit different.
And I get ya on the buttons, I too wish they were soft buttons. What would have been a cool distinguishing feature!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that makes a lot of sense. I still prefer the physical button (fixed), but it's not like it's going to make-or-break me buying a phone or most people anyway. They probably saved a lot of money just removing it.

stick1300 said:
Coming from an OG Droid, I love the hard keys. Just me though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came from the OG Droid too, but I still prefer the soft-touch. Although I've gotten used to the hard-keys.
It took me like 1-2 weeks to get used to the menu/back button being switched. I think I mis-hit those buttons hundreds of time for the first two weeks. I go to press back and I open up the menu. I go to open up the menu and I press back.

Definitely Miss The Soft Keys From My OG Droid. The Battery Cover Is Horrible, Mine Keeps Falling Off Like It Doesn't Have Any Resistance Anymore. Speaker Is WAY To Small.(Rear Not In-Call One) I Don't Mind The Pentile Screen, Sometimes I Notice It, But For The Most Part I Forget. No 1080p Recording Wth? And It Doesn't Even Playback 720p. An d...To...Ment ion...Th e...Sk ippi ng...Pl ayin g...Mu si c.

MikeJ92YJ said:
Definitely Miss The Soft Keys From My OG Droid. The Battery Cover Is Horrible, Mine Keeps Falling Off Like It Doesn't Have Any Resistance Anymore. Speaker Is WAY To Small.(Rear Not In-Call One) I Don't Mind The Pentile Screen, Sometimes I Notice It, But For The Most Part I Forget. No 1080p Recording Wth? And It Doesn't Even Playback 720p. An d...To...Ment ion...Th e...Sk ippi ng...Pl ayin g...Mu si c.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The skipping music has baffled me. Since out of the box I've been able to listen to V0(VBR) MP3s without any skipping...ever. After I rooted, no skipping, after I flashed a custom ROM, no skipping.
There is a script that apparently claims to fix the skipping music. But of course you have to be rooted for it to work.
I do know Motorola knows of this issue and they do plan to fix it I believe. But for whatever damn reason I've never had the problem ever.

It Will Play My MP3s Fine, When Playing On The Web Browser Is When It Skips. Connected To Wifi Also.

Wish the camera was better and also the screen. I really don't miss the physical camera button, but I do miss my Droid's soft keys. The ones on this really click loudly and it's annoying.

MikeJ92YJ said:
It Will Play My MP3s Fine, When Playing On The Web Browser Is When It Skips. Connected To Wifi Also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about Google Music streaming? Or are you a member of that even? When I use Pandora it works completely fine.

Meticode said:
What about Google Music streaming? Or are you a member of that even? When I use Pandora it works completely fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every music player I've tried had skipped at one point or another. The only time it was fixed was on froyo with the supercharger script. Went to GB and it started again, even supercharged or with naven's scripts.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium

Meticode said:
What about Google Music streaming? Or are you a member of that even? When I use Pandora it works completely fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not A Member Of Google Streaming. I Use PlayerPro As My Media Player. I Stay Away From Online Playing Now Because Of It. Believe It Or Not My YouTube App Works Flawlessly. Thanks For The Input About G.S. I Will Look Into That.

good god yes...the battery cover. if i had a dollar for everytime mine fell off...i could pay my verizon bill ..lol

As an engineer, I would like to mention that the time it takes to validate a design and approve it for production is less when using a preexisting design. While I agree with including a camera button, I think it was a cost reduction process...
I had a professor who was on the original design team for the droid x... He says that motorola mobility is a mess in terms of design. They have ten guys who are nay sayers for every one guy who actually produces anything useful. Welcome to six sigma...
Anyways, just a rant about Motorola and their design team...

Related

[Q] Seriously Considering going back to the Incredible

Hey people,
Maybe I need some one to talk me out of this, but some of these cons are out weighing the pros.
I love the screen size and front facing camera, I'm still in a 3g area so everything else is almost the same as the Inc, But here are my issues..
1) The Mic doesnt work when I place a call with the car stereo plugged into the Head phone jack, when I did get a Mic extention the quality of the call was really bad, My friend could hardly hear me. (This problem is the potential Deal breaker)
2) the ringer is really quiet, I missed a few calls where with the inc that woldn't have been a problem.
3) the Screen Cast only displays my creen I cannot interact with it using the mouse (I did Root the Phone using the ADB method)
4) I lost my hacked Hulu App (Great on long car trips)
5) I like the kick stand but why does it cover the speakers? (Refer to Item 2)
6) there isn't any noticible difference in speed or battery life.
I hope I'm not bumming anyone out, cos the the android is amazing for all intents and purposes, I just feeling a bit like I blew $250 for a really minor upgrade to the inc with a few extra drawbacks.
Thoughts?
No offense, but these posts are annoying, it's your decision, its your phone. If you don't feel its worth it, go back. You should have done your research, we all knew it would be like a giant incredible, just little faster and bigger, and that's exactly what it is. Now that i play with my wife's incredible, it feels like a toy now next to the Thunderbold, it feels so much cheaper, and god does the screen look small now.
fillyo said:
No offense, but these posts are annoying, it's your decision, its your phone. If you don't feel its worth it, go back. You should have done your research, we all knew it would be like a giant incredible, just little faster and bigger, and that's exactly what it is. Now that i play with my wife's incredible, it feels like a toy now next to the Thunderbold, it feels so much cheaper, and god does the screen look small now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Edit: If you really aren't happy with it, put it on eBay/Craigslist/xda market for $450+ dollars. Profit made, no harm done.
Who would of thought people would be leaving the Incredible HD to go back to the normal one?
If you really feel that way just return it. You shouldn't feel compelled to keep it or feel bad. Later if you feel differently buy it again. I too felt bad about leaving tmobile but this network is much better.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Asergea said:
Hey people,
Maybe I need some one to talk me out of this, but some of these cons are out weighing the pros.
I love the screen size and front facing camera, I'm still in a 3g area so everything else is almost the same as the Inc, But here are my issues..
1) The Mic doesnt work when I place a call with the car stereo plugged into the Head phone jack, when I did get a Mic extention the quality of the call was really bad, My friend could hardly hear me. (This problem is the potential Deal breaker)
2) the ringer is really quiet, I missed a few calls where with the inc that woldn't have been a problem.
3) the Screen Cast only displays my creen I cannot interact with it using the mouse (I did Root the Phone using the ADB method)
4) I lost my hacked Hulu App (Great on long car trips)
5) I like the kick stand but why does it cover the speakers? (Refer to Item 2)
6) there isn't any noticible difference in speed or battery life.
I hope I'm not bumming anyone out, cos the the android is amazing for all intents and purposes, I just feeling a bit like I blew $250 for a really minor upgrade to the inc with a few extra drawbacks.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have 14 days, stop complaining about how you don't like a phone, on a message board for said phone, and take it back then...
I apologise if I came off as whining about the TB, I didn't mean to annoy anyone..
Like I said the Android is fantastic and I honestly do love the phone, I suppose I'm looking for some reasurance that these issues that have been talked about for the most part are going to be addressed/Fixed..
I paid 175 and I love it verizon even waved my 35 dollar activation fee.
I played with every phone I could get my hands on and I like this one best.
The couple other phones I did actually buy and went into contract with were promptly returned without regret.
I'm still on my nexus one and can't find anything I feel is better than it. I've been very close to buying the inspire multiple times now. Your incredible is basically a nexus one.
Might look into a hearing aid? My ringer is loud as hell.
Mic should be patched this month. Ringer is loud as bell for me. Your volume up? I thought I read hulu app is working. No idea about screencast. Bottom line: these are all software issue, which get fixed.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
^ this or There and Back Again
If you're looking for someone to talk you out of it, I doubt you'll find anyone that will. It's your phone, if you like it, keep it, if you don't, send it back. Very cut and dry.

Knew I'd hate it, but I was wrong

OK, I had fully decided to sit this one out. All week, I've been reading and watching reviews. Though I had a preorder at Radio Shack, I read the reports on launch day and decided to stay home and call in to cancel. I was one of the nay-sayers.
But yesterday, I was shopping next to the Sprint Store, and decided to go in to see it... and I was hooked. Went to Radio Shack, and the girl there saved me the last Evo 3D anyway, knowing I'd come in after all. How funny.
My reaction after having it for awhile? I truly love my OG Evo, but this device is much better in very noticeable ways:
1. The first thing I noticed is a small thing, but the haptic feedback is DRAMATICALLY better. Tighter and more subtle, just as it should be. Haven't heard this in any of the reviews, but I really like it. Makes the whole phone feel better for me, because I'm a fan of the feedback, especially with the keyboard.
2. This think is insanely fast and smooth. No lag, and it feels almost like it can read my mind going somewhere before I think about it.
3. Not a Sense fan, but I like the effects and speed of this. I could see myself staying with Sense if devs are able to improve on it. See gripes below on what I don't like.
4. Camera isn't as bad as I expected. It may even be significantly improved. The app definitely is. Low light stills are better. Video is improved but still awful, and the sound is not improved at all.
5. The 3D? I actually love it. It's fun... really a nice feature. But I can see that you have to have good eyesight and some patience for it. My wife took one look and wanted nothing more of it. Reminds me of the old Viewmaster images, and I was a big fan. Brings back a bit of my childhood. Good app idea is for Viewmaster to revive all its old collections and make them available for download. How cool would that be? Sign me up!
6. As a phone, I love that the speaker is loud enough, and call quality doesn't sound any worse. Not sure it's improved, though.
OK, now for some gripes:
1. Though I generally like the size and weight, the new screen actually feels much smaller. It's narrower, of course, which in combination with the higher resolution makes everything smaller in portrait view. I'm not sure the screen is brighter and better than the Evo as some have said... seems somewhat duller by comparison.
2. My biggest gripe is that the capacitive buttons are TOO FREAKING BRIGHT, and there doesn't seem to be a way to fix that. And they never shut off. Devs need to fix this or give us ways to adjust to taste.
3. The 3D in movies is much harder to see and notice. The movies have tended to make 3D effect more subtle, and therefore it's difficult to see dramatic effect on this smaller screen. That's both good and bad, I guess. Don't imagine I'll be investing in 3D movies on this, but who knows?
4. Small things... a little harder to hold (or maybe I'm not used to it yet), the speaker isn't as good or as loud and there seems to be a bit of vibration.
5. Sense 3.0, though fun and slick, feels confining and incomplete to me. I miss some of the customization I had in CM7, but would love to keep the lockscreen and weather effects. Somebody explain to me the function of that stupid carousel. First time, "whee!" but after just dumb. This phone desperately needs root and the devs to add things that are missing (customizable buttons on the notification bar, GB wink-out effects, custom rosie, etc.).
In conclusion, I expected to hate it, or not like it enough to try it. That was dead wrong. Is it enough for me to keep it? Well, some key improvements are missing for me, like a significantly improved camera (I'm a photographer, and very picky about this). Sure, I have better cameras, but this one is with me all the time. I'd like to remove the SD card without removing the battery.
I'm loving the 3D, but can see how some non-nerds would lose patience with it quickly. I'm guessing that we'll see a service for ordering 3D prints in the future and other sample 3D photos (c'mon, Viewmaster!), and that will be fun.
Bottom line is that it HAS to get root in the next 30 days, or it goes back for sure. I've seen too many improvements on the Evo with custom ROMs, and I've made my phone new again so many times over. Gotta have that. And just think what the devs could do with this phone.
Nice review! Interesting perspective.
Yeah... No clue about the carousel.. it spins to fast to be useful... I love mine too!
The buttons definitely are to bright... They need to dim with the screen.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
I was leary of a launch day buy but I'm really glad I got it.
I really didn't care about 3d but I must admit I'm liking it.
Have to have root though.
Forgot to add.. I hate the app drawer, I want to fling it.
The charge port needs to be on right side.
The bright capacitive buttons where starting to get on my nerves as well. You can turn them off with the "screen filter" app from the market. The its primary feature is to dim the screen, but you can keep the screen at 100% and still disable the buttons' backlight.
Speaking of lights...why the hell would HTC take away my flashlight and give me a mirror? I used that HTC Flashlight all the time! Sure as heck don't need to be looking at my ugly self all the time, lol. I know I can download one, but just saying.
davec1234 said:
The charge port needs to be on right side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, I think I like the port where it is. Nice place for my thumb to go. The narrower phone is making holding and thumb typing much more difficult in portrait mode... That's another gripe for me.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
-Apollo- said:
Speaking of lights...why the hell would HTC take away my flashlight and give me a mirror? I used that HTC Flashlight all the time! Sure as heck don't need to be looking at my ugly self all the time, lol. I know I can download one, but just saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I look way uglier on that mirror. Development will add that back when we get root. Until then, the Switchpro widget works for me.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Cubfan99 said:
Video is improved but still awful, and the sound is not improved at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still on the fence, but I do shoot video with my phone enough (hey, it's always with me) to have this turn me off. I've dealt with the Evo 4G's terrible (and I mean, TERRIBLE!) audio on videos because it's overall a great phone, but I was hoping the next generation would have fixed the problem. Poop.
First thing I noticed was the haptic feedback as well. I told the BB employee that it felt like the Droid X and he said that a few other people had told him that, too.
I didn't notice how bright the capacitive buttons were, so I guess it doesn't bother me.
I hate the app drawer as well! I don't like the "pages." I feel that pages could've been implemented better (um, horizontally maybe?)
As much as I thought I'd be keeping 3d off permanently I've actually had a lot of fun messing around with it.
One other small thing that bugs me is how the clock widget always seems to have to catch up when you go back to the home page from something else. It's frozen on the time it was when you were looking at it last and quickly flips to update. It's minor, and won't matter too much because I plan on not using the sense clock widget anyway.
Cubfan99 said:
And I look way uglier on that mirror. Development will add that back when we get root. Until then, the Switchpro widget works for me.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, no doubt! Thanks man, I'll give it a shot.
Flashlight is not lost guys, a member has already posted the apk in the themes and apps section... But here is one that I have... Install like any apk,
http://db.tt/btJ1IwC
Bussin Caps from my 3D shooter
The carousel would make more sense if it took you to the home screen every time you flicked it. You can use that instead of the home button.
Why I would use the carousel to bring me back to the same page I am on makes no sense to me.....
Thanks for the review OP, i think you were head-on with your points.
I do think tho, the narrowness of this device allows me to put a case on it and actually prefer its larger width, i loved that in the OG Evo.
As for the Carousel, kinda lame that once you flick it and it starts spinning, you can't put your finger on it and choose which screen to go to, it always recovers to the screen you flicked from.
Cubfan99 said:
You know, I think I like the port where it is. Nice place for my thumb to go. The narrower phone is making holding and thumb typing much more difficult in portrait mode... That's another gripe for me.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm right handed, talking while charging blows plus it stresses the port.
Just extract the flashlight apk from a sense rom in the EVO 4g dev section, it works fine on our phones.
Also I kinda like the narrower size, it fits better in my hand and pocket. I was ready for a new phone and I don't regret picking this one up at all.
phatmanxxl said:
Just extract the flashlight apk from a sense rom in the EVO 4g dev section, it works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a good idea. I'll try that.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
ktrotter11 said:
Flashlight is not lost guys, a member has already posted the apk in the themes and apps section... But here is one that I have... Install like any apk,
http://db.tt/btJ1IwC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang... that's even easier. Thanks!!
mine goes back today.
i am tired of waiting for HTC and Sprint to release a phone that has been properly tested and functional.
ringers and notifications too low even at full volume
camera switch on my phone jiggle (cheap feeling)
occasional screen freeze
lower than desired photo quality
and of course...
locked bootloader
i have no intention of waiting for HTC to get off their asses. i know all the top devs are working hard and its appreciated, but my money will be spent on a different device
^

[Q] Camera rattle

Okay, so, I got my Photon replaced yesterday for wonky vibration, and that's working as it should. And, the phone doesn't have the same creakiness as the previous one, so that's a plus.
However, I now find that this one has a rattle that I've narrowed down to the camera. Basically, if I shake the phone (lightly) towards and away from you with the phone (not side to side, if you get my meaning), then there's a rattle in the general vicinity of the camera. The clincher is that there's an audible click when turning on the camera, and the rattle is no longer there. Turn the camera off, and the rattle returns.
Anybody else have this? I'm guessing it's the autofocus mechanism engaging, but I wouldn't have expected it to be loose when it's not turned on. And, I don't remember my previous Photon doing this.
Edit: this is not meant as a dig against the Photon. I love mine--it's arguably the best phone I've ever owned, so far. Fast, great build quality, I love the screen (easily viewed in sunlight, in particular), and decent enough battery life. I just want to know if my Photon is defective so that I can get it replaced or not--by itself, the rattle is hard to notice and not at all a problem.
Are you sure its not the battery slightly moving? I thought i had the same problem and it was the battery. Also get the clicking noise at start up. I think thats normal.?
Sent from my MB855 using XDA Premium App
Nope, it's absolutely something in the camera. Here's how I know: in the process of gently shaking the phone, I can hear the rattle, turn on the camera and hear an audible click, the rattle stops, turn off the camera, and the rattle immediately starts again.
+1 confirmed. Same here
Same here! I was wondering why it did that
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
blues2009 said:
Are you sure its not the battery slightly moving? I thought i had the same problem and it was the battery. Also get the clicking noise at start up. I think thats normal.?
Sent from my MB855 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, you have a click in the area of the battery when you start up? Do you get a click when you start your camera app (hold the camera to your ear and start the app)? Because if you get the click when your Photon boots, don't get it when the camera app starts, and don't have the rattle...
Hmmm.
newalker91 said:
*facepalm*
You guys are really starting to look for anything to consider wrong with this phone is seems. That rattle noise is the lense cover inside of the phone that covers the retina, it just hangs limp when the camera is off. Once you enter a camera app and initialize the camera, it is yanked off to the side to open the retina for pictures and is held securely in place. There is nothing wrong with the phone, it is supposed to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excuse me? I hear a noise in my phone that I've not heard on other phones I've owned, and that I don't remember hearing with my previous Photon, and so I post a question on a forum asking if others have heard it, and I get castigated for it? Seriously?
To keep the thread on track, I take it you hear the noise as well with your Photon? Because all I want to know is if it's normal for the phone (i.e., a preponderance of Photons exhibit the effect), and if it is, it's not a biggie. If it's not normal, then it could indicate a problem that could cause issues down the road.
Would it be so hard to simply answer the question asked? Yeesh.
newalker91 said:
The question was indeed answered. Don't pay any mind to the hostility, just starting to see way too many nitpicking threads over things that aren't even really a problem with the phone. Tends to portray a bad image for people scoping out the phone as a potential upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated my post to reflect how much I like my Photon. But seriously, not every concern that's raised is just a "nitpick."
newalker91 said:
The question was indeed answered. Don't pay any mind to the hostility, just starting to see way too many nitpicking threads over things that aren't even really a problem with the phone. Tends to portray a bad image for people scoping out the phone as a potential upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incidentally, a note: mine is loud enough to easily hear from arm's length in a non-quiet room (i.e., in the living room while my family is yapping). Again, not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but is yours THAT loud? Some other references to this on other forums seem to imply that it's much fainter than mine...
Would love to see that, thanks.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

Please, help correct me if I'm wrong...

My Galaxy Nexus died in a horrible freak accident, and SquareTrade ended up sending me a wad of cash to find another phone. Logically, I wanted to take the S3 for a test drive because it's the newest, hottest kid on the block (and I missed not having a MicroSD card).
I picked up my T-Mobile S3 in store today for the full retail price, and walked out excited as I always am to have a new toy in hand. Now, beware, I'm going to say some negative things about this phone, but that is because I want you guys to tell re-assure me that I'll learn to love it, or they'll get fixed etc because I really want to like this phone.
First off, the good things over my dead GNex:
Speed: Holy cow, that Krait CPU is blindingly fast. I knew the GNex was never a rocketship, but I wasn't aware of how slow it was until I played with the S3. Things run like butter, and JB(4.1) is only going to make that more amazing.
Camera: Yeah, the GNex camera sucks. This isn't as amazing as I hoped it would be, but it is nice to have something that instantly looks like crap.
Screen: It is a sweet screen, but I'm not sure if it is better than the GNex. If it is, I don't really see it (and can't compare side by side) and is still in amazing screen.
Now, the things I don't like:
SMS: WHY THE **** does my SCREEN turn on EVERY TIME an SMS comes in??? WHERE IS THE SETTING TO KILL THAT?!
Lockscreen: The "barely touch" to unlock is a joke. (Yes, I know you can replace it)
The body: Man, that blue looks pretty, but holy balls is that phone a pain to hold on to in 90 degree heat. What's the point of making a gorgeous phone that you have to keep in a case?
Build quality: It honestly doesn't feel as "solid" as the gnex, but has anyone had any quality issues with theirs yet?
Bloatware: I thought the Sensation was bad when I bought it, but this phone has so many apps that I never want to use, it's not even funny. I spent the first half hour going through and disabling applications.
Signal Quality: I drive a certain stretch of road that is hell on connections. I've had HTC's, Samsungs, etc drop out. It's just a great place to test radios and phones... Well, this one? Drops as much as the old HTC G2 did, if not more. Absolutely impossible to keep a signal. Now, thinking it was a bad signal day, I popped my micro SIM in an adapter and back into my HD2 and drove the road again... This time? No issue.
Home button: Really? A hard to press, narrow button for the most used button on the phone? I worry about dropping the phone, as it is so light, I have to hold it tightly with one hand to press the button.
So I know this may seem petty, but I'm really hoping you guys can convince me one way or another. Sure, this phone will always be faster than my GNex, but a GNex is half the price, and for me, in many ways feels like a better phone.
Thanks
Another thing I've notice, the screen can't figure out if it wants to be dim or bright. It'll sit there and go from one extreme to the other over a minutes time. Never in the middle.
Is it sounding like I have a defective unit?
I also had a Nexus Prime and I would of kept it if it had an sd card slot and WAY better camera & that's where the S3 comes in. Sure it has bloat and touchwiz isn't the best but AOSP is on its way & with it, improvements. As for build quality, I like it better than the nexus. Signal wise I was have at least 3 bars so I'm happy. I do agree though that the unit gets quite hot sometimes, but overall I love this device
Higher the processor speed the hotter it runs. You could limit the processor speed but you lose the blazing speed.. but I also lose the blazing heat. LOL.
As for the build quality its not bad. It doesn't feel like it'll break when I try to bend the unit. The gorilla glass is pretty strong but its not shatter proof. Don't drop it! Already seen a few shattered screens.
The software issues are just that.. all just software which is easy to change either by using replacement programs like handcent SMS or rooting then replacing the rom or disabling and removing the bloat. All that should matter is the hardware and if you're happy with the performance, look, feel, battery life, and reception.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda app-developers app
Yes please but on a screen protector. Dont trust the gorilla glass its bad. they should just take gorilla glass out of the specs for the phone. it doesnt work. i dont care how many youtube videos you watch that says it does.... it doesnt
curtiscr87 said:
Yes please but on a screen protector. Dont trust the gorilla glass its bad. they should just take gorilla glass out of the specs for the phone. it doesnt work. i dont care how many youtube videos you watch that says it does.... it doesnt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had issues with scratches on my Gorilla glass, even on my tablet which gets abused in the shop while I'm working on things. Then again, my HD2 never got a scratch either.
franknozly said:
Higher the processor speed the hotter it runs. You could limit the processor speed but you lose the blazing speed.. but I also lose the blazing heat. LOL.
As for the build quality its not bad. It doesn't feel like it'll break when I try to bend the unit. The gorilla glass is pretty strong but its not shatter proof. Don't drop it! Already seen a few shattered screens.
The software issues are just that.. all just software which is easy to change either by using replacement programs like handcent SMS or rooting then replacing the rom or disabling and removing the bloat. All that should matter is the hardware and if you're happy with the performance, look, feel, battery life, and reception.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Handcent can fix the screen on issue? GoSMS so far hasn't been any help.
AttachedSilver said:
I also had a Nexus Prime and I would of kept it if it had an sd card slot and WAY better camera & that's where the S3 comes in. Sure it has bloat and touchwiz isn't the best but AOSP is on its way & with it, improvements. As for build quality, I like it better than the nexus. Signal wise I was have at least 3 bars so I'm happy. I do agree though that the unit gets quite hot sometimes, but overall I love this device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You nailed it, the camera and the MicroSD slot are the two most compelling things about this phone for me.
arthurbrownleeiv said:
I've never had issues with scratches on my Gorilla glass, even on my tablet which gets abused in the shop while I'm working on things. Then again, my HD2 never got a scratch either.
So Handcent can fix the screen on issue? GoSMS so far hasn't been any help.
You nailed it, the camera and the MicroSD slot are the two most compelling things about this phone for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes handcent fixes that screen on issue if you disable popup notifications. That's the kind of notification that shows a dialog box with a quick reply option.
If disabled then the screen doesn't turn on and the SMS stays in the notification area.
Infact you can enable the pop-up notification but choose to disable screen on for pop-ups. That works too.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda app-developers app
arthurbrownleeiv said:
Another thing I've notice, the screen can't figure out if it wants to be dim or bright. It'll sit there and go from one extreme to the other over a minutes time. Never in the middle.
Is it sounding like I have a defective unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you don't have the eye/face detection turned on? My screen does that at work (I have mine set on) and even though I'm not directly stairing at it, it picks up my eyes (I have my phone placed below my monitor). Sometimes it bugs me enough just to turn the thing face down.
or maybe it can be the autolight sensor.
:shrug
There's a setting in gosms to turn off the "screen turning on with an sms" option
My major concern is with the home button. What on earth were they thinking?
I'm a firm believer that AOSP on this phone will make it a true winner with the on-screen navigation buttons enabled and the capacitive and physical ones disabled. Maybe we could repurpose the big ol physical one to do something else in the future.
Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.
franknozly said:
Yes handcent fixes that screen on issue if you disable popup notifications. That's the kind of notification that shows a dialog box with a quick reply option.
If disabled then the screen doesn't turn on and the SMS stays in the notification area.
Infact you can enable the pop-up notification but choose to disable screen on for pop-ups. That works too.
Sent from my SGH-T999V using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll download that one and give it a whirl.
rosedog said:
Are you sure you don't have the eye/face detection turned on? My screen does that at work (I have mine set on) and even though I'm not directly stairing at it, it picks up my eyes (I have my phone placed below my monitor). Sometimes it bugs me enough just to turn the thing face down.
or maybe it can be the autolight sensor.
:shrug
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I turned off a lot of the gesture/motion things right out of the box, as some just didn't seem natural at all. I could never get the whole unlocking motion one to work either. That was annoying for a bit.
Bluerai said:
There's a setting in gosms to turn off the "screen turning on with an sms" option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll check again, but I'm not finding it.
Div033 said:
My major concern is with the home button. What on earth were they thinking?
I'm a firm believer that AOSP on this phone will make it a true winner with the on-screen navigation buttons enabled and the capacitive and physical ones disabled. Maybe we could repurpose the big ol physical one to do something else in the future.
Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sad thing is, as much as I'd love to have on screen buttons like the Gnex, then we're stuck with that long chin being nonfunctional. I guess it wouldn't be bad if the back and menu button never lit up and were completely disabled. Possible use the home button as a shutter button then? Who knows.
It really does blow my mind how they did a physical button for the home button of all things.
I enjoyed a physical home button on my previous phones. To each his/her own?
Cappurnikus said:
I enjoyed a physical home button on my previous phones. To each his/her own?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I loved the ones on the HD2. However, they weren't as difficult to press, and the phone was a lot heavier. It made it so when you pushed them, the phone didn't want to flip out of your hand. The SGS3 is so smooth and lightweight, I don't even try to hit the home button one handed anymore.
Cappurnikus said:
I enjoyed a physical home button on my previous phones. To each his/her own?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I have a trackpad on the g2 I use it to turn the phone on so I love the home button on the s3 since a lot of times I leave the phone on the desk or table during lectures and stuff and its just convenient to turn the phone on that way but like some said its hard to press without fearing of it falling out of ur hand due to the large size and thinness
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app
My home button is very easy to press and it never feels like it'll fall out of my hand while holding it with only one.
thetony said:
My home button is very easy to press and it never feels like it'll fall out of my hand while holding it with only one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you have smaller thumbs? For me, I have a big wide thumb, and I have to press with enough force to make my thumb "go into the recessed" area to completely depress the button.

Personal reviews

My wife wants the Sony Xperia S. Prob because it looks nice (thats women for you lol). Im interested to hear what exhisting owners think about the device. Both Pluses and minus of owning this device please. I own a HTC senstaion and so right away, I would be looking to compare the 2 phones but thats just me, Im like that. 2 yrs is a long time to be stuck on a contract so I want her to be sure and who better people to ask than the users of xda forums. I always value your thoughs, ideas and advice. Thanks in advance guys
I wrote a review here: http://teendroid.com/index.php/item/14-xperia-s-review
Felimenta97 said:
I wrote a review here: http://teendroid.com/index.php/item/14-xperia-s-review
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice little read and very well written. Have you had any issues with it dying on you? What about multitasking? Fiddly?
TudorBlue said:
Nice little read and very well written. Have you had any issues with it dying on you? What about multitasking? Fiddly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, thanks. Well, multitasking its really good, but some apps really use lot of RAM, so you may see some stuttering once a while. If I understood, the phone will be for your wife. Try asking her permission to root and remove some bloatware she may not use. About dying, I was kinda surprised, sometimes it stopped working and I had to reset it. I'm not sure if it was my fault of heavy usage or its some problem with it. But, if she is like most users, she will use it for some browsing, calls messages and Facebook, the phone is great. Loud and clear calls. I heavily recommend it
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Sweet! thanks Felimenta97
funny my wife has a sensation and thinks my xs is ugly, typical woman lol!
to compare the 2 (both rooted on ics) i find the xs much quicker and smoother, the screen is amazing. camera not many features but picture quality is brilliant.
the only negatives, for me, about the xs are the non physical buttons take a bit of getting used to (no problem now), the power / screen lock button is in a ridiculous position (screen off & lock app solves half the problem) and because of the size of the screen not always easy to reach far corners one handed.
also battery life is slightly worse than sensation, not a huge difference, but noticeable.
so maybe take her to a store see if she likes the feel of it, because performance wise it is an amazing phone.
jojo1980 said:
funny my wife has a sensation and thinks my xs is ugly, typical woman lol!
to compare the 2 (both rooted on ics) i find the xs much quicker and smoother, the screen is amazing. camera not many features but picture quality is brilliant.
the only negatives, for me, about the xs are the non physical buttons take a bit of getting used to (no problem now), the power / screen lock button is in a ridiculous position (screen off & lock app solves half the problem) and because of the size of the screen not always easy to reach far corners one handed.
also battery life is slightly worse than sensation, not a huge difference, but noticeable.
so maybe take her to a store see if she likes the feel of it, because performance wise it is an amazing phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She picked it up this morning. not had a chance to have a play with it yet. Wil have to make sure my hands are clean, she picked the white one.
TudorBlue said:
She picked it up this morning. not had a chance to have a play with it yet. Wil have to make sure my hands are clean, she picked the white one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need. Of course they need to be clean, but that doesn't mean you have to wash your hands everytime you will pick up the phone. If you (or she) want to do a quick clean, make your shirt a little "humid" and clean the back of the phone. Once a while, use a soft cloth.
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

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