First off, I guess its obvious a lot of the users who browse this board would recommend the X1. My hope is that I can get some honest opinions on whether or not you guys would still invest in a X1 if you didn't have it currently.
I'm in Canada and I'm looking for a phone from my local retailer (in this case Rogers). Since I'm not just buying any unlocked phone, I don't have that many options. Its the X1, HTC Diamond of iPhone. iPhone's functions are great but I just dislike the look very much. The X1 is looking good in both appearance and cost for me.
I'm also a bit intimidated about all the customization for the X1. It's great that there are so many options but I don't know where to start. If someone can point me off in the right direction (in terms of what to install, what are must have ROMs / apps) that would be great. Especially all this WM6.1/6.5/6.5.1 I hear buzzing around.
Any help would be great appreciated.
the x1 is cool and all but its 1 year old now. You can find better phones out there. Are you interested in the updated x2? its the same just bigger screen and an accelerometer. Are you going to be at&t only? If not you should check out the Droid phone for verizon
if you can get it really cheap then go for it or get the tp2 for the bigger screen. both are pretty much one year old tech but will hold their own with the new current phones being offered.
I'm from the igloos up North so the Canadian providers are mainly Rogers and Telus and I'm with Rogers.
Seems to me that we usually get the shortest end of the stick; by the time I can pick a phone up from my local store it seems to be outdated and at the moment it seems to be my only choice. This is my first smart phone so I'm finally getting some data and I don't want to spend a whole lot.
Regardless, the X2 does look pretty awesome and I'm definitely interested. However, I don't know when or if Rogers will offer it. Is there any conformation on information like so? I think the X2 was released in Europe a few weeks ago if my research proves correct.
grantran said:
First off, I guess its obvious a lot of the users who browse this board would recommend the X1. My hope is that I can get some honest opinions on whether or not you guys would still invest in a X1 if you didn't have it currently.
I'm in Canada and I'm looking for a phone from my local retailer (in this case Rogers). Since I'm not just buying any unlocked phone, I don't have that many options. Its the X1, HTC Diamond of iPhone. iPhone's functions are great but I just dislike the look very much. The X1 is looking good in both appearance and cost for me.
I'm also a bit intimidated about all the customization for the X1. It's great that there are so many options but I don't know where to start. If someone can point me off in the right direction (in terms of what to install, what are must have ROMs / apps) that would be great. Especially all this WM6.1/6.5/6.5.1 I hear buzzing around.
Any help would be great appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love my X1, but it has old software by default. If you are into ROM flashing that isn't a problem, but if you aren't, you'll likely be happier with a Touch Pro 2.
How much are they selling it for? If it is at the same price of the iPhone 3GS, then get the iPhone, sell it as new on ebay and have enough money to buy 2 X1s.
before You'll get one read sticky about cracking. this device have a serious issue with plastic elements of housing cracking and chipping without any real reason. don't let any fool convince You, that it's a problem of only some units. most units are/will be affected. x2 however might be better, as it was built by foxconn, rather than htc.
if you can get new one less than 300$ then go for it
hi im new to all smartphones in general (live in poland and we have third world providers here )
got dilema since my contract is soon to be expired and got proposals for cheap but long contract extension (kinda normal here) phones.
Ill write what i can get :
-omnia
-xperia x1
-htc touch dual
-htc magic
-htc diamond
here is my dilema - x1 or magic
x1 comes with 4 gig sd (magic with nothing)
x1 is kinda older but when i look at hardware of lets say x2 its almost identical hence i hope for updates for x1
for magic speaks android (but new droid phones will have 1gig procesors wich worries me about its updates)
please speak from expirience.
Ill not use internet heavely (costs in orange network are radiculous) more like for IM's besides i can download apps via pc - ill be into flashing roms and stuff since i love to customize my phones.
so please be honest and no i cant afford any other phone since it would mean around 500$ and im poor bastard
cheers
If those are your options the xperia is by far the best! Okay the Omnia might not be a bad option, but I wouldn't consider the rest as in the same category.
EDIT: Magic would actually be a better choice in my opinion than Omnia, but I am still more favorable to WinMo... For now. If you don't have an affinity to Windows Mobile then the Magic might be a good choice. I prefer X1 for high res screen too. Makes for awesome Web browsing.
based on the choices you have, the x1 seems to be the better option. The new roms here make the x1 a much much better phone than out of the box so dont worry about it's initial performance once you get it. I mean after flashing a good rom, it's like having a new fone again...
Also, the x1 seems to be the only one with the keyboard amongst your other choices and for me that's a huge advantage!! I guess i'm just not made for full touch screen usage, i make too many errors typing...the next advantage would be the wvga resolution, awesome for watching movies (of course those formatted for wvga, there's a tool here to format)...
I just got my X1 last week, unlocked for $300 AUD, and after flashing a few roms its easy to find a happy place. I think its a pretty sweet device, and it can still fight it out with the newer phones.
Of the rest I've had a go at the Omnia, magic and also a touch HD, although the touch HD is pretty much the same except with no keyboard etc. I don't really like the Omnia's screen, so I would go for the Magic, the cloud concept seems pretty appealing, and its pretty slick.
sorry double post
ok so here is essential question :
Do i NEED to unlock x1 to be able to flash it etc?
Coz im long time orange user and dont plant to change it any time soon so its not nessesary for me.
as for android it has an app that blocks gprs and stuff is there simmilar thing for x1?
as for all these choices i only considered magic (for android) and experia for overall keyboard and screen that makes me horny also the camera soft on SE is allways better.
Tbh its like rollercoaster lol 1 day i want x1 more next day want magic lol
besides 1 more important thing is for it to be able to withstand 3 year contract
No you don't need to unlock it from a network to flash it, as far as I know.
I actually think, IMO, Magic has the better still camera, but I've never tried them both in same conditions. Video on X1 is much better though, even more so if you get a X1i. Also camera without a dedicated button (the Magic is missing one) can be a bit irritating.
As for apps, I think you can be covered for anything.
X1 is getting old, so 3 years might be a stretch, how much would you pay for the phone through a plan? Might be better to just buy it outright?
Also, X1 has the 3.5mm jack, and the usb port is in much better position for typing. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the Magic has a non-mini-b port, and I have loads of those laying around, so more convenient
well you see the thing is i would get it for a 1pln lol (about 1/3 of a usd ) just becose im long withthem and its a long plan. i have no cash at all
with magic it would be the same.
so You see my point its the first time in history lol when they allow me to have PDA like phone and i dont want to get stuck on something that will be tottal crap in 1 year
FYI, the Sony XPeria X1 is only $99 from Rogers on a 3 year term. This is a fantastic price, since it was $299 on a 3 year term last week. I'm thinking of getting the X1 now, especially since I've heard that the Motorola Droid won't be coming to Rogers.
reassor said:
well you see the thing is i would get it for a 1pln lol (about 1/3 of a usd ) just becose im long withthem and its a long plan. i have no cash at all
with magic it would be the same.
so You see my point its the first time in history lol when they allow me to have PDA like phone and i dont want to get stuck on something that will be tottal crap in 1 year
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The X1 is a much higher end looking device, and will at least look good for quite a long time . The Magic on the other hand already looks old. OS wise, Android is ahead of MS in terms of GUI.
With all that being said, if you have a lot of time on your hands to tinke you'll like the X1, it is like a mini computer. The magic imo has less upgrade-ability due to its low ROM size. Eitherway, you'll likely be happy as this is your first smartphone and you have nothing to compare it too.
Lots of good info in this thread. I've almost exclusively used Symbian/S60/UIQ up until this point and have been thinking of getting a nice and relatively cheap WinMo device to get me up to speed in the WinMo world and help me tide over until the X10 hits the scene in 2 months.
There are a couple of <6 month old X1s available around where I live for a shade over US$200. Do you think that's the correct price to pay? Frankly, I'm surprised at the amount of depreciation over the past 12 months. Other phones that used to cost about $800 (TouchHD etc) have held on to their value while the X1's has just plummeted.
Anyways, the X1s that I played with were in pristine condition but I'm concerned about the cracks problem. What do you reckon would be a good approximation for a baseline production date from where the cracks problem was resolved? I tried searching through the sticky thread on the problem but couldn't really find anything specific since most people haven't posted the production dates of their X1s.
Just to tell you, the X10 is an android phone
I'd forget the X1... sure you might get an 09 batch with no case cracking issues but another common problem is that the keyboard gets sticky and soon your space bar becomes very unresponsive.
Better of getting a full touch screen phone.
X1 for me was one big bad purchase and yes I do flash the latest ROMS.
Related
A simple enough poll.
Are you going to upgrade from your Kaiser to the Sony X1?
Personally I love my Kaiser, it is by far the best phone I've ever had. My only problem is the screen resolution.... Now bring along the Sony Xperia X1 and have it pretty much functionally the same as the kaiser and the larger screen resolution and you have an awesome phone.
What right now could beat the X1, the TyTN III, but it's not anounced and unlikley to be this year.
So personally I can't wait for the X1.
Definitely not, though my kaiser is not perfect, i dont think a X1 would be. i've been using Sony's laptop, cell phones, mp3,etc in the past, but everytime there are some unacceptable designs fault like easily broken buttons and leakage on machine body. They just put their efforts on design, without testing carefully the components!
it would be better to ask this question when the device is in the wild and people have had a change to review it,
it could be a lemon for all we know
andaroo said:
it would be better to ask this question when the device is in the wild and people have had a change to review it,
it could be a lemon for all we know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true, but and a real but, if it is pretty much the same as the Kaiser, with the higher resolution, slighly faster processor and graphics drivers (which I doubt really HTC want to fix for the kaiser) then this will be a killer phone.
Can we have another option please? Something along the lines of:
No, I'm not touching another device made by HTC, no matter who they're working with.
I like to try new gadget. So, for me, definitely I'm going to upgrade to Sony Xperia X1. If it's not going to be that good, I'll be back to my Tytn II.
It's really too soon to say, it looks good from this distance, but until there are real world reports on performance etc it's not possible to judge. I'd like it to be a killer device that I could upgrade to with confidence, but my previous experience of both SE and HTC tells me to wait.
It's still possible that this phone will only be a minor improvement on the Kaiser, and the Kaiser itself may still be improved in the meantime (through the work going on here, if not at HTC).
If I didn't have the Kaiser I would buy the X1 no doubt about that - but for my use there just isn't enough new stuff under the cover to make me go away from the Kaiser...
Oh yes please!!!!!
I will definitely check it out closer to launching but from what I have seen up to now I don't see any reason that I would not take it. I use to be a SE fan before I got into ppc's. I was looking for OS freedom, that is why I started with WM devices. I liked my Wizard and after almost 2 weeks can't find fault with my new Kaiser. Deep down I'm still a SE fan though.
Can't wait for launch date :
Not sure...I really like the larger screen and the buttons on the X1 as they are spaced out.
It also seems to be lighter/thinner which would be a plus.
But hopefully when the release WM7.0, it will make the Kaiser UI much more friendly and interactive.
None of this is confirmed and this is just a mockup, but it looks really sharp: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Windows-Mobile-7-0-Preview-or-Simple-Mockup-75751.shtml
For the most part though I really like my Kaiser
vip3r69 said:
I will definitely check it out closer to launching but from what I have seen up to now I don't see any reason that I would not take it. I use to be a SE fan before I got into ppc's. I was looking for OS freedom, that is why I started with WM devices. I liked my Wizard and after almost 2 weeks can't find fault with my new Kaiser. Deep down I'm still a SE fan though.
Can't wait for launch date :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard that the actual release date will be in 2009 Feb
You all know that this is Sony Ericsson right?? I will get it when I have the money and the time
Also no that was a typo.
its made by HTC
apparently
belon_cfy said:
I heard that the actual release date will be in 2009 Feb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SE have confirmed that was just a mistake on their website, the release date stands at H2 - meaning anytime between July and December this year.
i just went on the sony website and watched their commercial. Its the crappiest commercial to advertise the phone. Its 6 seconds of the phone in action, and the rest is flying paper airplane.
I cant decide whether I want it or not. if it has all the things kaiser does, then yeah, but otherwise most likely not.
In theory it has all that the Kaiser has, plus a higher resolution screen. The really killer difference though is the size and weight - it really is a LOT smaller, and a lot more pocketable, while still retaining that full qwerty etc.
Boinng said:
In theory it has all that the Kaiser has, plus a higher resolution screen. The really killer difference though is the size and weight - it really is a LOT smaller, and a lot more pocketable, while still retaining that full qwerty etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most important feature is the keyboard. Sure that's why we all have the Kaiser right...
Size is important, but too small and you can't type. You'd end up with a Treo/ Blackberry/ Samsung type keypad and I can't stand those buttons, way too small.
In saying that though, the thickness is really important, it would be great if it was a lot thinner, but again if you go too thin you get into that area that samsung have been pushing. Have you tried out their D900 phone, just way too thin, pain in the a*s to press those keys.
Also weight. Kaiser is definatly the heaviest phone i've used, but I don't find it that bad. I thought it was going to be way to heavy, my old eTen m600 a lot lighter, but really I don't mind it at all.
A bit lighter, a bit smaller, a lot thinner, with the bigger screen, the better keyboard layout and we have a winner.
I can't wait to see the phones out in 2010!
As a long standing HTC user I have been happy with the MDA Vario III overall but the display problems and poor quality camera (slow screen refresh etc) have been a BIG disapointment. The poor response from HTC has been even worse and what appears to be a complete lack of customer service has really
put me off them!
I am certainly looking forward to checking out the XPERIA X1 in the flesh..
Sony have generally delivered a good solid handset in the past and the battery life and camera are often excellent too. As long as they get the whole package to come together and the initial feedback is good I will consider letting my Vario III go.
The only issue for me will be that I am currently only 5 months into a contract with T-Mobile so I will need to get a SIM free or go for a second contract. Oh the price we pay for technological advances!
Zippyioa
Rather than listen to the hype, I'd need to see it and test drive it.
It's gotta be head and shoulders above what the Kaiser has to offer, because I'm not the type of guy to upgrade just to have the latest.
Good thing my last HTC device was a Blue Angel and not a Wizard or Hermes, or I'd still be using it
personally i dont really care HOW much of an upgrade it is from TytnII to X1...of course it'd be nice if all the problems of the tytnii be fixed in the x1 but i just like to try new phones...so i will try out the x1...if i dont like it..worst case is go back to the tytnii...so no lost
I live in Toronto, Canada and I'm thinking about buying an unlocked x1a for to use with Rogers.
I'm about to drop some serious green on this phone and I'm wondering if there's anyone who has one that regrets buying it, and wishes that they got something else instead.
(x1a should work on Canadian 3g bands right?)
well,if you like to modify your phone (flashing roms,doing various performance tweaking etc), then X1 would be good for you. Its not that good straight out of the box,but after some modifications then it'll be a beast (performance wise)
unfortunately i dont know anything about 3g in canada,so i cant help u on that...
any regret on buying X1? well no...because after about 4 months this phone has been working beautifully on me, apart from that slight keyboard sensitivity problem. Everything else is fine though...although i might want to check out touch pro 2 when its out
after looking at the touch pro 2, there is definitely some regret.
No regrets at all. On the contrary, this device is a perfect mean between size, battery life, performance and stability. The keyboard takes some getting used to and I personally only use the SPB panel; I think the whole panel concept is useless, but the device is very good.
No regrets at all after dropping $1200cdn on it. If I were to buy a phone today I would still get the X1a. X1a works on Rogers here no problems.
I might if I had given 650€ (1100 CAD), but I bought it slightly used from a friend for 290€ (470 CAD) and I got his original receipt and warranty for the rest 22 months. So, for me it was a cheap phone and I can't really regret buying it.
Other than that, if I had given the full price, I would really expect the battery to last as promised, meaning at least 5 days and not 24-40 hours! (Maybe it will last for 5-7 days if you never use it).
No regrets. Maybe next time I could've bought the HTC Touch HD. Thinner, bigger screen, but no qwerty. HD is also slightly cheaper. However, for me it's perfect. Windows Mobile is awesome btw.
nope i wouldnt hv gotten anything else. i did consider the TouchHD and the Innov8.
but i wanted something that looks cool, fits perfectly in my palm and a qwerty keyboard.
its not a perfect phone but its awesome and i hv no regrets.
the only thing I dislike on my xperia is the embossed screen, as it make difficult to press X button... but remember that we have an hw key for that
guap said:
the only thing I dislike on my xperia is the embossed screen, as it make difficult to press X button... but remember that we have an hw key for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really regret it.
Although it isn't a cheap phone.
I was planning to buy a Touch HD, but I need a hardware keyboard.
Xperia is still in "in an early stage". I think SE is still busy with giving lots of support to developers and planning to make it a better product. This is just a matter of time.
if you need a new phone (i mean right now), it isn't bad to buy a Xperia
i absolutely have no regrets. About battery power, this is excellent. 9he people that dont get enough battery time are because they have tons of things installed and running, like pointui, s2u2, touchflow etc, etc. i can honestly tell you that from the 27+ phones i have had in the last 2 years, including iphone, n95, htc diamond, moto q9, n71, BB pearl, curve and countless others, that the experia beats all of them hands down in terms of battery life. The only thing i regret was how sony didnt think of the xperia earlier before i wasted my money on so many lesser pieces of hardware. I woukd buy the xperia again no hassles. I admit, no phones perfect, but to me, the xperia is pretty darn close.
PRK
Having a Symbian UIQ phone for over 5 years i was very reluctant to give in to the whole Windows Mobile idea. Sony Ericsson then dumped the UIQ platform and the X1i seemed like the ideal replacement for my old P990i.
I have to say i was impressed with the build quality of the X1i compared with the quality of P990 and P910i that i had previously the X1 is very solid and its form factor is great.
As for regrets, none at all. The only regret i have is that i have so many cooked ROMs to choose from on here that i flash my phone every other month just for the fun of it! haha
Thanks for all the responses. This is a really tough decision for me because I'm a super indecisive person. I do love modding and flashing my phone so that won't be a problem, reading a lot of reviews I find that reviewers can't really find anything wrong with the phone, whatever they say is bad with it is usually something trivial: cnet says the panel buttons are weird to press, mobilepower says the top row of the keyboard isn't laid out that great, etc.
My main concern is watching those "vs" videos on youtube like touch pro vs xperia, xperia usually doesn't come out on top, but people in the videos seem biased, and the comments usually point that out and say why the xperia is still a great phone.
I realize you guys are probably a little biased since you're all xperia owners, but I'm glad to see the majority of people are happy with it =)
I just hope the modding community can get android working for the x1a in the near future =)
I regret totally
after the first couple days or weeks of trying to figure it out...you will love it. if your brand new to WM it will consume your life trying to get it up to your needs then,your set.
She said, Is that all? Ive seen bigger.
Do I regret it? Humm... two words for Ya
hell no.
imho the best winmo device at the moment. first qwerty PDA which actually doesn't look like a massive soap bar.
no regrets.. it is a awesome phone.. i love it.. SE rules
MichaelWalker said:
Thanks for all the responses. This is a really tough decision for me because I'm a super indecisive person. I do love modding and flashing my phone so that won't be a problem, reading a lot of reviews I find that reviewers can't really find anything wrong with the phone, whatever they say is bad with it is usually something trivial: cnet says the panel buttons are weird to press, mobilepower says the top row of the keyboard isn't laid out that great, etc.
My main concern is watching those "vs" videos on youtube like touch pro vs xperia, xperia usually doesn't come out on top, but people in the videos seem biased, and the comments usually point that out and say why the xperia is still a great phone.
I realize you guys are probably a little biased since you're all xperia owners, but I'm glad to see the majority of people are happy with it =)
I just hope the modding community can get android working for the x1a in the near future =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok mate a few things if i review the phone on cnet my self and show the real potential of what this phone can do it will blow your mind away. but i dnt have a cam neither alot of time.
i was just like you thinking of buying and reading mixed reviews and confused,but finaly one day i stabbed my wallet in the butt and bought this.
hardware wise the build quality is good,and overall it feels like a very solid device and exotic sort of device in hand.
as far as software goes ur in for a ride my first impression of it i was realy bad,it realy dissapointed me.
but as soon as you start flashing ur gona fell in love with your phone manila,tf3d,6.1,6.5 and ur gona start hating every phone except x1.
mkouk said:
The only regret i have is that i have so many cooked ROMs to choose from on here that i flash my phone every other month just for the fun of it! haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so true...
No regrets at all also.Even my wife is considering to drop her diamond and get x1 instead.( i really hope she do it asap)
I'm glad that I got an X1 to see how SE would go about making a WM phone, but I do regret getting one now. The cracks in the casing as well as backlight bleed on the screen corners spoil it for me.
It doesn't help that the Touch Pro2 (Rhodium) is almost exactly what I'm looking for.
Large WVGA screen
"Full" keyboard
Accelerometer
I'm sorely tempted to swap the X1 for a Touch Pro, buy a Touch Pro2 SIM-free and sell the Touch Pro to offset the cost.
I cant help, but I am "slowly" getting more and more convinced not to buy a Diamond because of the apparent issues I continue to find.
First I found out about the display issue which is (also officially) said to happen only with too much pressure (what exactly is too much), although some reported them as well and stated to have taken care. Now it seems there is yet one more issue with the backlighting respectively the hardware itself.
Would you say I am exaggerating and those issues are normal ones which happen to some extent on all phones or is my upcoming impression right that the Diamond might be a true beta product - it's not that those issues are exactly minor ones?
Please let me know your true and objective (please no fanboyism in either way ) opinion.
all I can say is these forums get a lot more of
"I have a problem"
then
"my diamond is working fine and i would not change a thing"
happy users
1 never come here
2 try to help others
If you come to a forum where people are seeking help with their phone then unsuprisingly you are gonna find alot of people with phone problems they would like help with.
This is true for all devices from phones to cars, and will always give the impression that the device has many flaws. In the bigger picture far more people are happy with their diamond than reading here will have you think.
i believe that the diamond really is a great smartphone, (no fanboyism) and that it really delivers a great bunch of possibilities, especially when paired with xda developers it migth tend to be a little slow sometimes though. and sometimes even slower... but the first problem you described, ive never heard of before, and i do not believe you will experience this without trying to do it, or if you by accident throws a rock at the display (accident???) the second problem sounded like a flash of a custom rom gone wrong, which doesnt really have anything to do with the phone, but more with the person behind the phone
these 2 problems that you talk about seems like some that only happens if you doesnt take a little care of your phone, and i do not believe that these should make you worry about getting a diamond. but you might want to consider buying a diamond2 instead, since its about to get released
.
Thanks for all your responses so far, of course the argument of complainers being louder is valid, but I suppose I am particularly worried here because the two mentioned issues seem to be quite common - among the complainers at least - and seem to be rather major issues and not like a minor one such as a buggy software.
Hojlind said:
but the first problem you described, ive never heard of before, and i do not believe you will experience this without trying to do it, or if you by accident throws a rock at the display (accident???)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Usually I am not using rocks , but there are also quite a few in the mentioned thread who have stated to never have mistreated the display. Of course its not easy to verify this claim but I have to admit it makes me worry.
Hojlind said:
the second problem sounded like a flash of a custom rom gone wrong, which doesnt really have anything to do with the phone, but more with the person behind the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd have assumed that too, however it doesnt seem to have taken place immediately after flashing but a few days later and a few even mentioned it happened without any flashing at all.
Hojlind said:
these 2 problems that you talk about seems like some that only happens if you doesnt take a little care of your phone, and i do not believe that these should make you worry about getting a diamond. but you might want to consider buying a diamond2 instead, since its about to get released
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What attracts me particularly to the Diamond is its size. It is one of the smallest Windows Mobile phones available. The Diamond 2 is already noticeable larger and so I'd then opt for the HD right away.
I've had so many devices I can't remember how many, from pocket pc's to the diamond I've just been randomly given free, not on upgrade .. just a random gift.
First impressions - after having it for 6 hours:
Looks great, I like the candybar format, after the Vario III it's .. novel.
The screen is a vast improvement over the last generation of screens.
The camera produces usable images, the Vario III didn't. haven't tried video but the new drivers seem to be doing their job.
GPS lag has not been tested on the road but tomtom picked up a signal quickly enough.
I've not yet experienced the dropped call when answering because of the end call nonsense on the screen. If I do there is a workaround.
The Compact IV won't open a full 300mb Memory Map file, I've had to break the maps down into bite size chunks for it.
After using the vario III for a long time I've never used more than 3.5GB, despite having a 6GB card so I won't miss the lack of memory card.
I didn't use the keyboard of the other phones I used to the lack of it is welcome.
On balance, I would recommend this phone but a novice would quickly be frustrated and that's mostly down to interface quirks which you get used to after a while, and here's usually a workaround for most problems, except a duff driver.
Why the people at HTC and t-mobile don't just farm the ROM dev out to xda-dev is beyond me.
The developers here do a better job, quicker and cheaper than the bunch of talentless spods employed by the various co's who make the devices. Although, I might be being too harsh on the spods, they probably do a great job but get stymied by the suits.
Could I recommend the Diamond ? Yes.
Diamond is the best WM device I've ever used...
Mine's been bumping around in my pocket for the last 10 months, dropped a couple of times, lives in a (padded) bumbag when I'm trail riding my pushbike and generally been used rather a lot - but never abused.
In my previous job role I managed 1500 WM devices for an SME (sig...) and I can say with the absolute certainty of someone who has been there for a living that the kind of hardware failures that get reported here are almost unheard of in any WM devices that haven't been physically mistreated or had roms flashed in a hamfisted way.
Sitting down a couple of times with a touchscreen phone in the front pocket of a tight pair of trousers will always flex the device just enough for the display to fail somewhere down the line - usually long after the offender has left our employ and the device has been passed on to the next user...
Mind you I'll probably pick up a Touch Pro 2 when my contract is up for renewal...
I had one for a few months and didnt like it.
I am not remotely clued up on the technical side of things so this is very much a laymans report:
It had lots of features I liked but on the whole the phone was too much hassle and its cons outweighed its pro's. (the poor camera, the "black screen" when on the phone thing, the poor on/off button on the top, the poor lock/unlock system. But i loved the interface of the phone.
Swapped it for a LG Renoir and miss the Diamond, but they both have things the other doesnt. So I am no better off.
When will someone make the perfect phone? lol
The Diamond is excellent if you can handle it meaning you have really get into tweaking. Out of the box I would not recommend it but if you are willing improve it on your own by using the helpful programs of this forum than it's an excellent choice.
I have had several PDA phones: Sansung i700, i730, i760, HTC Mogul. Of those I loved the i760 with it's number keypad (granted it had it's issues also). Hated the Mogul (low memory issue and slow). The Diamond I consider an outstanding phone. My biggest issue is the lack of responsiveness of the screen. Takes some getting use to. I did the registry changes but didn't notice a real difference. Compared to the other PDA phones I mentioned I love the display quality, size, look, feel, and $10 internet with Sprint. Perfect phone for me. The battery life I can deal with. I have a cradle with a spare battery, a car charger and spare charger at work so I'm always prepared. By the way the battery life seems to have gotten better with the latest ROM update. I could recomend it but I always let people know of the battery issue, screen responsiveness and still having problems with time issue here in Arizona (changes by an hour every once in a while for some reason).
eurofan said:
The Diamond is excellent if you can handle it meaning you have really get into tweaking. Out of the box I would not recommend it but if you are willing improve it on your own by using the helpful programs of this forum than it's an excellent choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second that!!!
It wasn't great out of the box. But now.... I love tweaking/flashing and would recommend it to anyone.
Although, if your thinking of purchasing a diamond, personally, I would wait till the 'Touch Diamond 2' is released.
I agree with alot of the comments
Basically the HTC Diamond, or it many variants, is an excellent device (and I have had many many many devices).
What it has going for it:
1. Size
2. Weight
3. Fantastic screen
4. Looks nice and cute/good form factor
5. Well made
Issues:
6. Battery should have been bigger - not really an issue for me as I have a charger at work and home. I tend to charge every two days unless I have been using it intensly and then top up on the day (normally I top up if on 2 bars).
7. Shipped firmwares in the UK are mostly pants!
8. No card slot. Now I want to be clear about this, if you are just installing programs and/or data the 4GB storage is absolutely fine, more then enough in fact. It also is good for a small set of videos or music. However, if you want to store large amounts of music or videos then this device is not for you!
Basically, if you upgrade the Diamond after purchase to one of the more excellent ROMs on this site, it will have a beautiful display and quick response.
Also, note that, unlike something like the HTC Touch, this is a premium device. Which means it has nice touches like the stylus is held in magnetically and also, when you pull the stylus out it automatically switches the display on.
In terms of the Diamond 2 issue, that is obviously a better device, but the price will reflect it, and the HTC Diamond is now looking very good value. Personally, I like buying phones at the end of their run, as the firmware and price are the best.
Lastly, the HTC Diamond is a bit of a cult device. Why is this important ? Because it means that the support on xda-developers is much better then the less popular devices. As the HTC Diamond's price goes down, this will just increase.
best rgds
i just seriously love my diamond..the price on ebay is going down at a rapid pace n yeah..i love it bcoz of all the tweakin u can do on it..
man oh man..on which other device can u get a "not yet working" android os as well as some iphone like stuff for unlockin, music etc..n u can just about change everything thats on the phone..
tht may be coz its my first ever windows mobile phone n i was suprised by the remote desktop..use it to play poker on facebook now!! wanna view tv for uefa cup late at night..no problemo..n the autofocus camera with a beautiful vga screen adds as the biggest pro as i snap pics of my college assignments that are readable on its vga screen
i am a little disappointed with the touch screen though..cos when in remote desktop full screen, u cannot reach to the minimize, maximize n close buttons.. though u can use another software but its the touchscreen fault as the 4 corners of the screen are difficult to tap..
but overall im very satisfied n recommend it to all
The diamond rules!!! Buy one!! Buy one now :d
I just bought one cheap,don't like the diamond 2,it has no d-pad and looks a fair bit bigger.
The screen quality (colours and contrast)from what I've seen on youtube against the likes of the HD is what made me keen on it.
I have been using O2 flames for the last 2 years,so the battery life will be something I'm used to.
Hopefully it isn't like the atom life I bought and ended up selling within a week
gerryjoson said:
I just bought one cheap,don't like the diamond 2,it has no d-pad and looks a fair bit bigger.
The screen quality (colours and contrast)from what I've seen on youtube against the likes of the HD is what made me keen on it.
I have been using O2 flames for the last 2 years,so the battery life will be something I'm used to.
Hopefully it isn't like the atom life I bought and ended up selling within a week
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good luck! the quality of the diamond is much nicer then the atom.
start off on a good foot with a good rom
had a diamond sinve day 1 of orange uk launch
once flashed........a great phone.
does everything i want and more....so its gets a 10/10 from me...
if thats worth anything to you
^^^ Fanboy...
My opinion is that the Diamond is a nice attractive phone in a good size. Having said that, there are 3 major flaws:
1. Battery life
2. Speed
3. Software
The software one is the most solvable, with the number of tweaks, ROMs and free apps available here. I've supplemented that with a large amount of commercial software in order to get the best possible experience but this is of course very expensive to do properly.
Diamond is very good phone, i think you will never regret if you will buy one.
About problem on screen and presure ( i have that problem ), i think it comes because, when need to open back for sim card or for battery. To open back we need to press screen.
Had a diamond around 9 or 10 months now, considered buying an HD or a few other wannabees but any time I consider buying a new phone I just need to look @ my diamond & I remember why it's so damn good, It's looks haven't been matched or surpassed yet & the so called newer updated htc 1's/ other makes aren't that much better IMHO in performance etc... oh yeah & their all big fat bricks !!!
I'm sticking to my precious DIAMOND for a while yet thx
Oh & BTW that htc update has finally finally fixed it's biggest/ annoying bug, my diamond hasn't skipped an mp3 track since I installed it, I think I'll keep mine forever now hehehehe...
I bought mine on May last year, and boy was it a mistake. I can't believe I bought ANOTHER Windows Mobile phone, while it is a dying OS...
Too bad I didn't wait for the HTC Desire...
So yeah, Microsoft screwed me with their crappy OS.
Don't regret
I didn't regret the choice I had made. I will love Touch Diamond2 forever.
我作了这个选择并不后悔。我会永远爱我的钻石2代。
yup, i regret it. BUT I can't cry over spilled milk. i make the best of what i have and with enough tweaking and playing around with it, even a Topaz can be...half decent. my ONLY complaint? it's slightly slow. faster than stock roms...but slow in comparison to the nexus one or the desire. oh well, ill enjoy it for another year maybe and then try and get an Android device (Droid 3 then?)
cheers.
Sometimes I regret getting the TD2 especially when entering Text Messages which is unbareable slow and the occassional unresponses to Powering-on.
BTW sent an e-mail last week to HTC about said problems and they came back with "Try a hard reset" - Not at all impressed by HTC.
how do you end up questioning yourself something like that?
do not want to be involved into an endless discussion but I could not help myself not to reply with my thoughts: why is willing anybody to throu on a forum ideas like a dying OS and comparing 2 completely different devices? if you look ofr a shoulder to cry, go out and play with the friends! if you look for some oppinions do not by the judge! to not throuw sentances in vain!
by the moment you plan to change your device the "desire" will be a brik, so your choice made one year ago can prove to be perfect!
for not being misunderstood, I am not in favor or against topaz but this thrad is not bringing anything good to the forum, but only in time, make the search or other maintenance of the forum working slow. posts as love my device also do not help! maybe a betetr idea, si to open a new thread named: why will you choose topaz and why not, and there place pertinent reasons for complaints!
personally, I will never buy a device significantly bigger than topaz! I had diamnond 1 and now, because of useless hardware buttons on that model and because of bigger resolution and available memory I moved to topaz (pure). I will always prefer the dying OS as you named instead of banging my had on the wall finding a reliable navi for Android (of course, depend on the date of posing and the maps you need). the rest, like slow response, I can live with it! I mostly use the device for remote desktop and few calls and messaging. browsing for market information or just info is aslo a must and working pretty well!
hope I have made my point clear!
cheers!
I only regret not buying the touch pro2, and besides the lack of keyboard, I'm pretty happy with it.
No regrets here. It will hold me over for some time until the next "latest and greatest" device is released. It does everything I need it to do.
Granted, if I was stuck on the stock ROM, I probbaly would be sorely disappointed.
I really like the device. It's sad, that Microsoft doesn't fill up the marketplace. They seem to wait for their 7. My girlfriend just bought a Desire and I think I will stay with HTC but change to Android. She already has a lot of apps I miss on my phone.
I will use the diamond another 12 month from now, so Microsoft has a chance to convince me of Windows Phone 7. Else Android is my alternative.
at firts i regreted i had bought a TD2 not waited 3months and bought a HD2, but then i just didn't care.
now i regret i bought 2x4gb microSD cards 1 for my htc 1 for my (nokia)n81, because now i fixed audio problems and i hate carrying 2 phones around all the time(1 for music,1 for gps and web surfing and a few cool apps).
so i'm guesing tomorrow i'll regret i tried to make a sorta RC/3.5mm connector out of my htc headset
the lousy build is definitely a neg point for me
i have sweaty palms and the paintwork is all ruined
still prefer the old original diamond
managed to keep it in pristine condition despite being a yr old
wm platform is really slow though; getting online etc...
got a iphone for web surfing and email purposes instead
the only reason i'm retaining a wmm phone is for the intelligent call function(that is extremely important due to work and call volume) not available on other mobile platforms; correct me if i'm wrong...
I got an HTC Pure as a "complimentary" upgrade from AT&T, after my Incite got bit by the Netfront "trialware" fiasco. I am quite pleased with the Pure. It's screen is fantastic. I had to laugh when my buddy handed my phone to his wife to play with and then said, "she had a bad experience with her first touch screen phone. It had one of 'those' resistive screens." I think the only thing I don't like is the lack of a standard (3.5) headphone jack. It's also hard because a lot of new software is being targeted for the HD2 with it's faster processor. The larger screen would also be nice, but it's not any better resolution, and it would be (slightly) less pocketable. So, all in all I'm pleased with my device, and am very leary of WM7.
I like my PURE, and (fingers crossed) have not had to Hard Reset since I got it. WimMo6.5 has been stable, device has been basically flawless. I replaced two Tilts with this device. I am back on "shipped" ROM, just work around bloatware and load everything on my microSD card. I was concerned about not having the slideout key board, but am doing just fine without it.
I dont like lack of 3,5mm jack, flash, poooooor battery life, sluggish operation, WinMo abnormalities, direct sunlight readability... (nice form factor, resolution, gps performance, good camera...but in my case barely usable device)
Regarding move to E52/E72
Of course you regret it. In a year the technoligy is better and the new devices are better to. But for me it was the best device on that moment.
Overhere in Holland you just don't buy a phone. You sign a contract for a year or two and usually you'll get the phone for free. Now these day you have to pay up to €100 cause the devices are getting more expensive like a iPhone.
So waiting is not a option or you will lose your phone number. Or worse you forget to stop your contract in time, the phone company will extend your contract for another year or two.
Plus
Good service from HTC, they respond in your own language and really trying to help you. Just say you've done a couple of hard resets, they will sort it out for you. They've also kicked Vodafone Holland for me so that I can update my weather at location again.
Stock ROM's are working well
Nice design of the device
XDA-forum that brings me a lot of new futures. Just think about S2U2, CHT, TD2 tools. And I'm not even talking about flashing to costum ROM's
Multi tasking but that's also the minus. Everything is running on the back. Use CleanRAM
A 5mp camera
Min
Sluggish
Low battery life
WM is not that stable
My usb cable is crap, I can see the wires sticking out after 6 months of usage.
I hate my TD2 soooo much... Bought it on a 24 month contract in June last year, and within a month I was sick of the slowness and the plasticky design.
A few months later the camera stopped working completely and so HTC had to replace pretty much everything (as stated on the slip they provided).
Since then the digitizer has cracked on numerous occasions, with just a few minor impacts. I have been forced to buy and fit my own replacements since I have a good year left with this phone!
So, yes, I regret buying this handset more than any other I have ever owned.
As for Windows Mobile... What a crock of ****. A bare and dysfunctional 'app store', a slow and awkward interface and even with Sense over the top it still feels horrible.
I like HTC as a company, but the fact that within a few months they have discontinued and forgotten about your handset is not nice. If we could have got Android fully working on the TD2 it might have been bareable!
There is literally nothing about my TD2 which I like (battery life and soft keyboard are also rubbish); the initial selling points for me (design, screen, processor) have all been massively superceded.
Some of you may disagree with the points I've made, but the original post was asking for opinions and so these are mine!
I can use just about any ol' device for a phone. What I like about the Pure (and the two other WM devices I've owned) is that it's become a hobby of sorts. I like to flash it and rearrange it and play with different apps. At least until the recent court ruling that makes unlocking legal, I've always felt sorry for the poor folks who use an iPhone (my wife and daughter included) because they're just no fun. I feel like a slave to Steve Jobs when I pick one up. They're just so rigid and unlovable.
Oh, one thing I particularly like about WM is the ability to tether. I wouldn't own a phone that couldn't do that.
My Opinion
Imho, I think the topaz/pure was a great purchase for me. I ran out the day AT&T had them and got one because I was somewhat fed up with the tediousness of my raphael/fuze. Apart from a few minor issues, I think it's a great device... the 5 megapixel camera can be a halfways decent substitute to my normal cybershot when it has to, and the screen is indeed large and bright. The unfortunate part about it is that for the most part, you can't use it for serious video playing without downconverting almost anything you put on there. But that's what everyone's got their ipods for, right? XDXD
I don't regret getting it, and I am still satisfied with it, but if I was stuck with stock ROM, and did not re customize it from time to time, I am pretty sure that I would regret. It is wonderful phone and in my opinion the still best looking. That said I am switching soon to Desire.
I went thru a lot of HTC devices over the years and I did not regret a singly buy!
Of course after 1/2 year there are newer better faster devices out, but I was never disappointed by any HTC device I bought.
The only device I regret to buy was an Acer Dual Sim device that was cranky, slow, and did not work in Japan.
I dont regret getting any phone due to the research and testing before I buy them. One thing I can say is txting on resistive screens is painfull at best with my sausage fingers! saying that I had issues with my Hero aswell! the only one i didnt mind typing txt on was the iPhone!!
Most phones in the market had one or the other reason for me to eliminate them (be it cost or feature).
I have shortlisted SE Xperia X1 and SE Hazel. The cost difference between these 2 models is about $50.
Which one should I choose? One a 2 year old smartphone and the other non-smartphone. Does it make sense to go for the X1 over the Hazel?
I have NOT used any smartphone till date and I normally keep my phone for more than 2 years.
drsk said:
I have shortlisted SE Xperia X1 and SE Hazel. The cost difference between these 2 models is about $50.
Which one should I choose? One a 2 year old smartphone and the other non-smartphone. Does it make sense to go for the X1 over the Hazel?
I have NOT used any smartphone till date and I normally keep my phone for more than 2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all comes down to your preference. If all you want is simple and stable and just a simply "phone" to call others, pick the Hazel.
If you don't mind the pain for the learning curve and have to do a lot reading here (especially you are new to smartphone), X1 is still a powerful workhorse for your MP3/video, GPS, personal data organizer.
I'd recommend it if you can get it for a good price - dont pay like £300 for it - but it is a good device but theres lots to learn and much to tweak to get it good. if you got time to do that then go frit!
jackleung and comeradealexi - Thank you very much for your response.
You have helped me decide on the phone. I will go with X1. I am getting it for approx. £200.
I also recommend you the X1. You will get a powerful smartphone with the freedom of Windows Mobile. Use xda-developers as your source for software and you will realise sooner or later that there is a freeware solution for almost every need/ situation.
Don't buy X1 now. Go for an HTC Android phone. X1 is slow.
I would chose an Android device over the X1. The 800x480 pixel resolution is too much for xperia processor so it will be slow in multiple situations. Look for an Android device in the same price range, and you will be happier (or at least this is what I'll do if I was in your situation; Xperia is a great phone, I don't regret I payed for it).
Or look at a WM phone with better processor or lower screen resolution.
Cheers!
short answer: no, don't buy it. it's old...
longer answer:
it's hw is outdated and the drivers provided by SE are inferior. SE did a real lousy job on this. the official rom comes with winmo 6.1, the panels just suck. we all use 6.5-roms, but since there's no official 6.5-rom as a base, it's always a bit of a workaround on the x1.
go android. or have a look at windows phone 7. if it has to be windows mobile (it's all but dead now!), get the hd2 (touch pro 2 may be cheaper, if you can get one). everything else you wouldn't really enjoy.
(btw, the resolution isn't too much for the hw - it's the drivers. if you ever had a go with htc's touch pro 2, you'd know. same hw, better drivers, way better performance)
Don't buy from Sony Ericsson.
I've been a big SE fanboy in the past and I still use several of my old SE phones but they've been releasing crap/crippled phones at an alarming rate recently.
I don't regret that i own an x1, but i bought it almost 2 years ago. Don't buy a X1. The X10 mini pro, or other Android phones, are also low priced, so there are no reasons to buy a x1 now. The X1 is out-of-the-box a bit slow and you have to do a lot of tweaking/flashing before it's pleasant to use.
I HAVE NO REGRET FOR GETTING MY X1 2 YEARS AGO!!
but for now, just go for android
If you can get it cheap, you like the freedom of Windows Mobile and you can deal with the disadvantages of Windows Mobile I recommend you buying the Xperia X1. It's still one of the best WM devices available (and it will be forever since WM isn't in development anymore). I love mine.
But if you want an operating system that is up to date and will be further developed you have to look somewhere else (Android, Iphone, WP 7).
Best WM device, not.
Nobody warned this guy about keyboard, screen display loss and cracking? Wow.
Ok, the X1 may be old but drsk said he didn't want to spend too much money. So people recommending an iphone or newer android devices will not help him because those are (more)expensive.
I think the X1 works quite well for its age. But i must say you have tweak it a lot to get it exactly to you likings but it is worth. I have a lot of friends with newer phones and I haven't often seen them do things the x1 can't. It only does it a little slower or has less eyecandy.
In fact there are still a lot of things you can do with an Xperia X1 that you cannot with Android and especially with the Iphone. And the best: You don't have to root, jailbreak or whatever to do whatever you please with your Xperia X1. So I stay with my recommendation. If you can get it for a good price don't hesitate.
Awassenaar said:
Ok, the X1 may be old but drsk said he didn't want to spend too much money. So people recommending an iphone or newer android devices will not help him because those are (more)expensive.
I think the X1 works quite well for its age. But i must say you have tweak it a lot to get it exactly to you likings but it is worth. I have a lot of friends with newer phones and I haven't often seen them do things the x1 can't. It only does it a little slower or has less eyecandy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am very sure there are cheaper phones, WM, android or symbian that can do a job as well as X1.
The reason of your friends not doing things that X1 can't is because they are not power users like you. They probably spend much less time getting the phone up to speed. The time spent flashing, restoring etc can be spend elsewhere, such as actually having fun.
altae said:
In fact there are still a lot of things you can do with an Xperia X1 that you cannot with Android and especially with the Iphone. And the best: You don't have to root, jailbreak or whatever to do whatever you please with your Xperia X1. So I stay with my recommendation. If you can get it for a good price don't hesitate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of things? Care to elaborate? I can't think of any. Jailbreaking and rooting is very easy and much more quicker than installing those tweaks just to have the X1 behave like it should. If someone is willing to mess with WM, I am sure he/she can equally have fun with Android and iPhone. Jailbreaking is a breeze compared to HardSPL-ing.
Anyway, I am surprised that X1 is still worth money in threadstarter's country. It is basically worthless over here. Also, who would he go for warranty if he is hit by the various hardware defects with the X1? SE will probably run out of replacement parts by now. And plus the repair fees probably gonna cost more money and time. Simply not worth it IMO. Just get a WM phone with a better track record.
superweijie said:
I am very sure there are cheaper phones, WM, android or symbian that can do a job as well as X1.
The reason of your friends not doing things that X1 can't is because they are not power users like you. They probably spend much less time getting the phone up to speed. The time spent flashing, restoring etc can be spend elsewhere, such as actually having fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I get your point. But I just want to make this clear, the things you mention like flashing and stuff... I actually do those things for fun. It is not like I am sitting at home slaving over my phone while my friends are playing outside
Guys,
Thanks a lot for all the responses. I just started loving this forum. Am amazed with these responses even when I had not come here for sometime.
My criteria for a new phone was:
1. Should be < $450.
2. Should have good batt. backup.
3. Above average camera and audio (music) quality.
The reasons for not going for Android phones -
1. Good Android phones are expensive approx. $450+ which is not in my budget.
2. Most Android phones available today do not have Front Facing camera (except Galaxy S).
3G has just started entering the market and one of the main feature is video calling. Without FF camera, this feature will be useless. Now, I do know that I may (ok .. honestly "will") not use this feature in near future (say 6 months to a year). But, IF I desire to use that feature, then at that time I will have to buy a new phone just for this purpose. I normally do not change phones unless the current phone stops working or is too outdated. (My last phone Samsung D600 lasted 4 years before I lost it).
Also, Symbian phones had this peculiar feature of limiting the call history to 30 days! I just hated that limit. I can understand if they limit the number of history entries, but certainly NOT the time limit. Ofcourse, I could compromise on this if other criteria are met.
I had to leave out Samsung budget phones due to the reason that they give many features, but their quality is "middle of the road" (mainly camera and audio). The good ones were out of my budget.
After searching a lot I could narrow down to 2 choices SE Hazel (non-smartphone) and X1 (smartphone).
X1 attracted me based on the specifications - mainly the batt. backup which not many smart phones matched (atleast on paper - dunno the real life scenario) and is available in the range of $330.
it's your money...
seriously: don't get the x1. you'd have a lot of work before you to get it running. can't believe you missed all the threads about miserable build-quality (hw-keyboard, cracks, flex-cable). might i suggest htc's touch pro2? same hardware, has hw-keyboard, but you get official winmo 6.5 and an up-to-date system (htc sense, drivers), last firmware-update was about 4 months ago (x1: march 2009!). it has all you want (front-camera). only drawback is that it needs an adapter for headphones - believe me, it's worth it. price is $299,99 on amazon.com, so well inside your range.
edit:
while the x1-battery looks good on paper, it loses capacity rather quicky. and most custom-roms for x1 are high on consumption anyway (yes, you'll flash custom-roms. no, you won't be satisfied with stock-rom).
I do not regret buying my X1 but there are lots of other phones available now that far surpass X1 in computing power and features.