JFMFT
Member
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.
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.
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