Picking up a Thunderbolt? State your reasons why...

[JFMFT]

New here (hi!)... my first post... but a long-time lurker.

Anyway, just wanting to see each person's rationale for picking up the Thunderbolt, especially why they are getting it and not waiting for the Bionic or other phones coming to Verizon in the next 3-4 months.

As for me... I'm going to be picking up the Thunderbolt for a few reasons.

1) HTC is the only manufacturer I trust to make an overall solid, stable Android phone. My Motorola devices have all had horrible problems, and though my Dx's seem to be software related, it can't be fixed by loading a custom ROM since the bootloader is locked down so tightly. Samsung doesn't know how to update their phones, and like Motoblur, Touchwiz is unrefined, ugly, and doesn't offer anything stock Android doesn't (I mean it does - but nothing I use much). LG phones just plain suck... hence why I'm going with HTC.

2) 4.3" screen - unlike the Droid X, the 4'3" screen isn't in widescreen/long format, so it's a bit wider (easier for portrait and landscape typing). Keys are wider/fatter and not as tall, making it easier to type overall.

3) 4G - I'm moving to an area in May that already has 4G, so I'll be able to take advantage of the new LTE network (it is pretty awesome).

4) Video chat - the front facing camera is going to be nice. When my family is at home on Skype, I can talk to them from my phone from afar.

5) Unlocked bootloader/most hackable - I like to make my phone my own, and though Sense 2.0 looks really fast and sweet, and I do see myself keeping it, I do love Cyanogen Mod and am hoping CM7 with Gingerbread comes to the Thunderbolt. If it doesn't, at least I know the unlocked bootloader will allow other quality fully custom ROMs if I wanted to go that route. If not, Sense 2.0 is still MILES beyond Blur (even the new Blur that we saw Demo'd on the Bionic at CES - while it's an improvement, it's not refined the way Sense is).

6) I have a lot of upgrades to burn... and I am not one to worry about devices becoming obsolete. I get so many upgrades on my VZW employee account that I don't mind selling my old phone for more than I originally paid for it and burning an upgrade on another line just to have the latest phone. I'll probably do this for years and years to come.


7) HTCSense.com - the website is useful and provides a lot of utility for HTC users (who have compatible devices). I look forward to using this site. I also love the "skins" on the new HTC Sense 2.0... look forward to using all things Sense.

8) The Bionic just doesn't appeal to me; my Droid X has had so many issues and been replaced so many times for microphone problems, random reboots, and other issues that I just don't trust Motorola at this point. I'm ready to support HTC, a manufacturer who really knows how to make solid Android devices.

So, I'm interested to hear why others are getting the Thunderbolt. Post your thoughts and reasons!

And I posted this mainly because I'm curious if people are getting this over the Bionic for the same reasons as me, etc. I've seen so much "love" for the Bionic around the internet because of its processor, yet people don't seem to state any other reasons why they want that phone. Just curious I guess... since I think it's the whole package that's important, not just the phone's processor.

[Haloman800]

Most of the reasons you mentioned. I've never dealt with HTC so I'm looking forward to it.

My highlights are:

1. 4.3 inch screen (at least!) Is a must.

2. Front facing camera.

3. Kickstand

4G ;D


Many other contributing factors, but these are the main selling points for me .

I'm so happy and excited that it's coming out so soon! Thank you Jesus!

[jcbsides]

I'm mainly getting it because I'm due for an upgrade and it looks SWEET!

This will be my first smart phone and I couldn't be more excited. I got mine pre-ordered and everything. I just want this week to go by quick

[moosez3]

Im getting it b/c the alternatives arent THAT much better:

Droid Bionic:
- Love the OG, but moto has seem to strayt from the Original Android Money-Maker.
- Locked Bootloader alone is a no go
- Every other spec besides Dual Core and a slight pixel advantage is worse.
- As for DDR vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR11ty trillion doesnt matter to me until they can prove it is noticable faster, which I dont believe they will be able to. I have 4GB DDR3 in my PC that I built I dont feel like its ANY faster than previous DDR2 machines.
- HDMI out? wont use, maybe DNLA but not HDMI out.

LG whatever:
- LG needs to prove to me they can build a flagship phone first.

Samsung whatever:
- Never liked samsung anyways
- Samsung Updates suck
- Will not buy an AMOLED screen till burn in is resolved:

I went to BB for the pre-order and I decided to check out the Nexus S myself b/c of forums reporting screen burn-in or burn-out, I dont know, but the burns were in my humble opinion nothing short of RIDICULOUS.
- This was a display phone at the most a couple months old.
- It was one of the ONLY Display phones, meaning that people played with it a lot.
- STILL the Notification bar, the app drawer button and a widget was burnt in the screen.
- The phone was on 15 sec screen shut off, max was 30 mins if this is the case how did it get burnt?
Now I am sure its possible worst case it sits there at times maybe hours on end on a given home screen, but burn in on a phone that is less than 2/3 years let alone a few months is ridiculous. What if I am driving listening to music and pandora down to miami, from orlando, or up north for several hours at a time??

As for the TB it is basically an EVO that has been slightly upgraded in every way on LTE. The EVO is a proven phone, and I have had quite a bit of handling experience with it. When I get the TB Ill do a direct comparison Video.
I will check on the little problems it did have I will make sure they are gone in my 14 days of return time.
So when I get it we'll see...

[datsyuk]

I love HTC and really like the Thunderbolt but I know that HTC will eventually release a dual core phone this spring/summer for Verizon. Something along the lines of the Pyramid. I don't want to buy the TB when dual core is arising and will make the TB feel outdated in just several months. The dual core technology will hopefully be relevent for atleast a year my best guess. (1ghz seemed to be strong up until now and tbh imo still is pretty quick).

2.4 is coming soon and apparently its going to be putting it to use. The reason why you're not seeing 2.3 HTC/other phones my best guess would be because 2.4 is around the corner.


Edit: just read OP that you're a VZW employee with all your upgrades.. lucky lol. What's their policy on that?

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[moosez3]

Im getting it b/c the alternatives arent THAT much better:

Droid Bionic:
- Love the OG, but moto has seem to strayt from the Original Android Money-Maker.
- Locked Bootloader alone is a no go
- Every other spec besides Dual Core and a slight pixel advantage is worse.
- As for DDR vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR11ty trillion doesnt matter to me until they can prove it is noticable faster, which I dont believe they will be able to. I have 4GB DDR3 in my PC that I built I dont feel like its ANY faster than previous DDR2 machines.
- HDMI out? wont use, maybe DNLA but not HDMI out.

LG whatever:
- LG needs to prove to me they can build a flagship phone first.

Samsung whatever:
- Never liked samsung anyways
- Samsung Updates suck
- Will not buy an AMOLED screen till burn in is resolved:

I went to BB for the pre-order and I decided to check out the Nexus S myself b/c of forums reporting screen burn-in or burn-out, I dont know, but the burns were in my humble opinion nothing short of RIDICULOUS.
- This was a display phone at the most a couple months old.
- It was one of the ONLY Display phones, meaning that people played with it a lot.
- STILL the Notification bar, the app drawer button and a widget was burnt in the screen.
- The phone was on 15 sec screen shut off, max was 30 mins if this is the case how did it get burnt?
Now I am sure its possible worst case it sits there at times maybe hours on end on a given home screen, but burn in on a phone that is less than 2/3 years let alone a few months is ridiculous. What if I am driving listening to music and pandora down to miami, from orlando, or up north for several hours at a time??

As for the TB it is basically an EVO that has been slightly upgraded in every way on LTE. The EVO is a proven phone, and I have had quite a bit of handling experience with it. When I get the TB Ill do a direct comparison Video.
I will check on the little problems it did have I will make sure they are gone in my 14 days of return time.
So when I get it we'll see...

Oh yeah EVO's battery sucks :/ hopefully its improved a little, but not a deal breaker.

[bills742]

1. 4g
2. Looking forward to trying my first htc

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[Android1254]

I'm getting this phone because:

#1 I've had too many problems with Motorola, they've cheated me time and time again and htc is the most (and I believe this is true) dominant brand of android smarthphone makers out there because they find what you like and optimize it plus they actually update their phones (samsung)

#2 I need a larger screen because I want to swype but on my D1 my fingers are too big

#3 I've always wanted the possibility to skype from my phone, and because its baked into the nice HTC Sense, that has now become a reality

#4 HTC has an unlocked bootloader because they strive to be differnet than other brands it sets them apart in quaility, ROMS galore!

#5 The Specs are Just FOR ME, I mean, 768gb of RAM plus the pre installed 32GB sd card and the dolby sorround sound under the bid kickstand just sold me, not to mention the 8mpx camera (I travel a lot and take lots of pictures)

#6 The design of THAT phone...whew! Its sexy! I mean its got the nice aluminum body of the Nexus 1, the Display of the DX, AND the kickstand from the Evo?! You got me there too

#7 its going to be on the most reliable network there is and because I live in a 4g area I will be able to take that nice 4 seconds per song downlaoding speed to a whole new level

#8 I could go on but bottom line, ITS A PHONE THAT SETS THE BAR FOR OTHER PHONE MANUFACTURERS, we saw this with the D1 and I'm currently still on my D1, imagine THIS device plus updates from google? Anyways, hoped this excited someone

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[Android1254]

Im getting it b/c the alternatives arent THAT much better:

Droid Bionic:
- Love the OG, but moto has seem to strayt from the Original Android Money-Maker.
- Locked Bootloader alone is a no go
- Every other spec besides Dual Core and a slight pixel advantage is worse.
- As for DDR vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR11ty trillion doesnt matter to me until they can prove it is noticable faster, which I dont believe they will be able to. I have 4GB DDR3 in my PC that I built I dont feel like its ANY faster than previous DDR2 machines.
- HDMI out? wont use, maybe DNLA but not HDMI out.

LG whatever:
- LG needs to prove to me they can build a flagship phone first.

Samsung whatever:
- Never liked samsung anyways
- Samsung Updates suck
- Will not buy an AMOLED screen till burn in is resolved:

I went to BB for the pre-order and I decided to check out the Nexus S myself b/c of forums reporting screen burn-in or burn-out, I dont know, but the burns were in my humble opinion nothing short of RIDICULOUS.
- This was a display phone at the most a couple months old.
- It was one of the ONLY Display phones, meaning that people played with it a lot.
- STILL the Notification bar, the app drawer button and a widget was burnt in the screen.
- The phone was on 15 sec screen shut off, max was 30 mins if this is the case how did it get burnt?
Now I am sure its possible worst case it sits there at times maybe hours on end on a given home screen, but burn in on a phone that is less than 2/3 years let alone a few months is ridiculous. What if I am driving listening to music and pandora down to miami, from orlando, or up north for several hours at a time??

As for the TB it is basically an EVO that has been slightly upgraded in every way on LTE. The EVO is a proven phone, and I have had quite a bit of handling experience with it. When I get the TB Ill do a direct comparison Video.
I will check on the little problems it did have I will make sure they are gone in my 14 days of return time.
So when I get it we'll see...

Oh yeah EVO's battery sucks :/ hopefully its improved a little, but not a deal breaker.

It most definitely will be my friend, black man x stated that on 3g its way better but on 4g everything takes alotta battery

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[ufish2]

My X was outdated in a month... you just can't keep up with the Jone's... l... wait for dual core

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