I've done enough research to conclude that the X and Fascinate are both great phones, and that each has their advantages and drawbacks, but am having a terrible time figuring out which is the right phone for ME. Was hoping if I articulated my priorities, the forum might be able to point me in the right direction.
I'm not a major techie or gamer, and don't anticipate downloading tons of apps, so for me the phone is primarily about being good for calling/emailing/texting, surfing the net (and viewing the occasional online video or movie) and using the device as my primary music player (using earbuds with my "Rhapsody to Go" subscription).
I live in NYC and will primarily be using the phone here. Call quality/signal are important (I know the X probably wins here, but is the Fascinate a solid phone for this purpose or does it lag behind most other phones as well)? It's one thing if the X is just louder and gets signal in very low-signal areas...it's another thing if the Fascinate sounds muffled on either end of the call, or has zero or weak signal in places that it shouldn't. Internet speed is also important (but if it's pretty close between the two, I don't care...it's only a problem if one of the phones is much more sluggish than the other).
My music's sound quality via the earbuds is also really important to me, but again, it's not a dealbreaker if one phone is just slightly better than the other (it may be problematic, however, if one has superior sound quality over the other). (I also do like that the X comes with more on-board memory so I can store more of my music on it than the Fascinate, though I guess I can always get a 32gb SD card if I had to.)
I have to admit that the Fascinate just appears to me to be a sleeker/sexier phone (whereas the X has more of an industrial mini-computer feel), but as a 6' tall guy with somewhat large hands, when testing both keyboards in the Verizon store, I've had a harder time typing accurately on the Fascinate, which will be a problem if it doesn't get better, given the amount I email/text. (That said, since this is my first non-physical keyboard, maybe I'll quickly get better once I own it?) Also, although not a dealbreaker, I often do text/surf the net with one hand...will I be able to do that with the X?
Though I like the look & dimensions of the Fascinate better, I would ultimately choose substance-over-form if the X justifies it. That said, since I'm a guy, I will primarily be carrying the phone in my jeans pocket...I know the X is slightly larger/clunkier/heavier, but is it annoying to transport? I don't necessarily mind bigger if it's not too noticeable, but if it's uncomfortable to sit or walk around with it in my pocket, that could definitely be a dealbreaker.
The Bing issue doesn't bother me, but I do anticipate using the phone very occasionally as a GPS-driving-navigator and somewhat more frequently to find out about good bars/restaurants/stores near me when I'm walking around NYC. I guess I'd download Google Maps on the Fascinate, and if getting a lock on my location will be quicker once Froyo arrives, it shouldn't be a problem for me.
I doubt I'll shoot tons of video, but I will use the phone as my camera. The difference in image quality is less important to me than everything else I mentioned, as long as the photos look decent on either unit.
OK, so given this lengthy description of what I'm looking for, does it sound like I'd be happier with the X or the Fascinate?
I'm not a major techie or gamer, and don't anticipate downloading tons of apps, so for me the phone is primarily about being good for calling/emailing/texting, surfing the net (and viewing the occasional online video or movie) and using the device as my primary music player (using earbuds with my "Rhapsody to Go" subscription).
I live in NYC and will primarily be using the phone here. Call quality/signal are important (I know the X probably wins here, but is the Fascinate a solid phone for this purpose or does it lag behind most other phones as well)? It's one thing if the X is just louder and gets signal in very low-signal areas...it's another thing if the Fascinate sounds muffled on either end of the call, or has zero or weak signal in places that it shouldn't. Internet speed is also important (but if it's pretty close between the two, I don't care...it's only a problem if one of the phones is much more sluggish than the other).
My music's sound quality via the earbuds is also really important to me, but again, it's not a dealbreaker if one phone is just slightly better than the other (it may be problematic, however, if one has superior sound quality over the other). (I also do like that the X comes with more on-board memory so I can store more of my music on it than the Fascinate, though I guess I can always get a 32gb SD card if I had to.)
I have to admit that the Fascinate just appears to me to be a sleeker/sexier phone (whereas the X has more of an industrial mini-computer feel), but as a 6' tall guy with somewhat large hands, when testing both keyboards in the Verizon store, I've had a harder time typing accurately on the Fascinate, which will be a problem if it doesn't get better, given the amount I email/text. (That said, since this is my first non-physical keyboard, maybe I'll quickly get better once I own it?) Also, although not a dealbreaker, I often do text/surf the net with one hand...will I be able to do that with the X?
Though I like the look & dimensions of the Fascinate better, I would ultimately choose substance-over-form if the X justifies it. That said, since I'm a guy, I will primarily be carrying the phone in my jeans pocket...I know the X is slightly larger/clunkier/heavier, but is it annoying to transport? I don't necessarily mind bigger if it's not too noticeable, but if it's uncomfortable to sit or walk around with it in my pocket, that could definitely be a dealbreaker.
The Bing issue doesn't bother me, but I do anticipate using the phone very occasionally as a GPS-driving-navigator and somewhat more frequently to find out about good bars/restaurants/stores near me when I'm walking around NYC. I guess I'd download Google Maps on the Fascinate, and if getting a lock on my location will be quicker once Froyo arrives, it shouldn't be a problem for me.
I doubt I'll shoot tons of video, but I will use the phone as my camera. The difference in image quality is less important to me than everything else I mentioned, as long as the photos look decent on either unit.
OK, so given this lengthy description of what I'm looking for, does it sound like I'd be happier with the X or the Fascinate?