Optimus Black? Desire S? Galaxy SL? DEATH?!?!?!?

[MetallosaurusRex]

Hola amigos!

I am planning to buy a new one with these features:

1. Budget?	15-20k
2. Display type and size?	at least 3.2" (preferably close to 4"), capacitive, not TFT
3. Form Factor? bar, slider, flip?	bar
4. Preferred choice of brand?	HTC, Nokia, Samsung, LG
5. Preferred input method (QWERTY, touchscreen, numpad, touch-n-type).	Touchscreen
6. What camera option you want?	at least 5 MP, Flash, autofocus, front camera for video calls
7. Preferred operating system?	Android 2.3, iOS, WP7 (in that order)
8. Preferred connectivity options	3G, Wi-Fi
9. Preferred applications (Flash, Swype, GPS, etc)?	Maps is a BIG requirement, full flash support in browser
10. Primary use of handset (multimedia, camera, mails, internet, gaming etc)?	Music, photos, internet
11. Any specific mobile phones in consideration?	Optimus Black, Desire S, Galaxy SL, Wildfire S, Defy
12. Any other info that you want to share	ahem…look below!

Now, I don't have an iPod nor a digicam and I'm looking for a phone which can (somewhat) serve these roles well within the specified budget. The phone has to be stylish and smart, and should support multi-tasking well, hence Android is the preferred choice. I'm not sure if Symbian is quite upto the mark, esp. since its on its deathbed (Nokia would be shifting focus to WP7 soon).

I am certainly gonna use up the 32GB memory.

Problem: I've heard Android phones don't have good battery life?

I have always used sub-10k phones, now want a serious upgrade. I am a rough user (I know you're thinking about Defy)-phones sometimes slip out of my big hands or I accidentally sit on them :\

I have been researching, but something or the other is missing in each of my choices, listed below in order of preference currently:


1. LG Optimus Black
+ has ALL the features I want
+ 4” screen
+ I recently had a hands-on demo and the phone looks amazing!
- Digit has pooh-poohed its battery life in their review…”barely lasts a day”
- camera/music is just about average

2. Desire S
+ Sense UI
+ Good audio quality, decent camera
- A bit over my budget (23k), Galaxy SL has all its features at 19k

3. Wildfire S
+ Sense UI
+ Not very costly
+ Gingerbread
- Small screen
- No HD recording
- Hardware might not support Gingerbread smoothly

4. Galaxy SL
+ Samsung service
+ 4” screen
- No camera flash
- 7961875 phones in the market with the Galaxy name
- I have heard the battery backup is very poor

5. Defy
+ rugged
- its Motorola, I don't know how good their service would be
- No Gingerbread, no HD recording, TFT screen. I am not game for Custom ROMs either

6. Nokia N8 or X7
-Shall I even consider Symbian?

Confused bigtime….help me out!!!

[Empirial]

If you're more into Multimedia then consider Nokia X7. Why? Read this thoroughly : Nokia X7-00 review: The stealth xpress - GSMArena.com

[guru_urug]

Since you want a good-looking phone which is stylish too. Plus you arent gonna tweak your phone with custom roms....then take a look at iphone 3gs @19k

In android also check out the "nexus S"

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by Empirial

If you're more into Multimedia then consider Nokia X7. Why? Read this thoroughly : Nokia X7-00 review: The stealth xpress - GSMArena.com

X7 is currently overpriced. 17k-18k is the right price for it.

@OP: given your requirement, I would suggest you to check these instead:

1. Google Nexus S (google experience, decent camera, good display and battery, good music quality, loads of custom ROMs, updatus prime)
2. Nokia N8 (dolby digital plus, HDMI out, 12mp camera with best sensor found on mobiles, best navigation software)

None of the HTC devices are music centric. They suck at this department. audio quality is okay while camera quality is average too.

[msaiashwin]

Originally Posted by guru_urug

Since you want a good-looking phone which is stylish too. Plus you arent gonna tweak your phone with custom roms....then take a look at iphone 3gs @19k

In android also check out the "nexus S"

@ guru_urug: dude why are you suggesting iphone 3gs? its outdated and APPLE IS DUMPING ALL THE OLD STOCKS INTO INDIA. Apple also did that with the IPAD...when the IPAD 1 was almost EOL it then bought it to india at a 34k price which is way too high for a old product..We feel it prestigious when apple launches something new in India..

Dude please realize you are suggesting some very old garbage like the iphone 3gs..

DONT MISTAKE ME BUT THIS IS A FACT EVERYONE KNOWS

We Indians are fools...we just get carried away by the brand( like apple) and we feel it a kind of boon when apple prices some of their old garbage at such a low price(like iphone 3gs for 19k)...Iphone 3gs is clearly outdated and please remember "APPLE IS DUMPING THEIR old stock at such a low price to clear off its old stock"

I dont understand why many people are against the galaxy sl.. I am using it and really find no problems(even with the gps there is no problem)..its really a good value for money phone..

Also i dont understand why everyone suggest the htc desire when everyone one knows that the battery life of HTC is HORRIBLE...

Sorry if I have been harsh... but I want the people to realize not to waste money on old stocks..

[guru_urug]

Im sorry if you feel my suggestion was baseless. I was thinking from the pov of OP's requirement. Even though the 3GS is old, it handles modern games well. Also It comes factory unlocked.

"It still has something to offer for price sensitive buyers. Although the iPhone 3GS has a 600MHz processor and a 3.5-inch multitouch screen, it supports Apple's latest iOS 4.3, and Apple has pledged support for its upcoming iOS 5 for the device."
I AM NOT AN APPLE FANBOY.( look at my avatar) I know all about apples marketing tactics too

Im all for android devices and I know that the 3GS is still overpriced. I was just giving a suggestion. And if you have read some of the other threads, iphone 3gs has been suggested by others too, when the OP requires a no maintainance OS with a stylish,good-looking phone. Im giving OP idea of all possible options available. IMO galaxy SL, nexus S and Desire S are good deals. Nexus S and Desire S will get next android flavor. So maybe OP should consider that if custom Roms are not going to be installed.

[msaiashwin]

Originally Posted by guru_urug

Im sorry if you feel my suggestion was baseless. I was thinking from the pov of OP's requirement. Even though the 3GS is old, it handles modern games well. Also It comes factory unlocked.

"It still has something to offer for price sensitive buyers. Although the iPhone 3GS has a 600MHz processor and a 3.5-inch multitouch screen, it supports Apple's latest iOS 4.3, and Apple has pledged support for its upcoming iOS 5 for the device."
I AM NOT AN APPLE FANBOY.( look at my avatar) I know all about apples marketing tactics too

Im all for android devices and I know that the 3GS is still overpriced. I was just giving a suggestion. And if you have read some of the other threads, iphone 3gs has been suggested by others too, when the OP requires a no maintainance OS with a stylish,good-looking phone. Im giving OP idea of all possible options available. IMO galaxy SL, nexus S and Desire S are good deals. Nexus S and Desire S will get next android flavor. So maybe OP should consider that if custom Roms are not going to be installed.

dude sorry if I hurt your opinion.. but I just used your post as a quote thats it.. I know many of them in the forum are suggesting the 3gs...So I just gave a general opinion...

Dude just I want everyone to know apple's cheap tricks on dumping old stocks..IPhone 3gs was launched long time back and was eol when the iphone 4 was launched..Iphone 4 was launched in India after almost one year..and apple knows that we will get carried away by the brand and will dump all their old stocks here...Cheap tricks by apple for selling the Iphone 3gs..

If it still has a 600mhz arm cortex processor.. then almost every other phone in this range have 1ghz proessors and better RAM and better cam etc..a nd see the scrren only a 320X480 screen.. thats even worse than nokia's resolution..Every other in this range has a 480X800 screen...

PLEASE DONT WASTE YOUR PRECIOUS MONEY ON OLD STOCKS LIKE THE IPHONE 3GS..Apple is cheating Indians with cheap tricks like this..

[MetallosaurusRex]

Originally Posted by Empirial

If you're more into Multimedia then consider Nokia X7. Why? Read this thoroughly : Nokia X7-00 review: The stealth xpress - GSMArena.com

well...yes, feature-wise X7 makes a lot of sense for me...good cam, music, lifetime free maps, big screen, probably rugged too, since its Nokia and its metal. What concerns me is-the average hardware and battery life. Wildfire S matches it at a much less price-with Gingerbread. And how would its (both phones) speed be if I fill up a 32GB memory card to capacity?

Originally Posted by guru_urug

Since you want a good-looking phone which is stylish too. Plus you arent gonna tweak your phone with custom roms....then take a look at iphone 3gs @19k

In android also check out the "nexus S"

3GS is outdated now, esp. with iPhone 5 about to come, and Nexus S doesn't pack as many features for the price. Good advice still

Originally Posted by desiibond

X7 is currently overpriced. 17k-18k is the right price for it.

@OP: given your requirement, I would suggest you to check these instead:

1. Google Nexus S (google experience, decent camera, good display and battery, good music quality, loads of custom ROMs, updatus prime)
2. Nokia N8 (dolby digital plus, HDMI out, 12mp camera with best sensor found on mobiles, best navigation software)

None of the HTC devices are music centric. They suck at this department. audio quality is okay while camera quality is average too.

Agree with X7 price. I feel Nexus S, although as good as its sound n image quality can be, lacks some basic features for its price. N8 is all X7, without Anna and a smaller screen.

[Sam]

^^ Optimus Black should get gingerbread update soon. if you can wait, check if it fixes the battery problem. also check XDA's Optimus Black section if the battery problem can be fixed, else Nexus S looks like a good alternate as you don't want to play with custom roms.

[dreatica]

Originally Posted by Sam

^^ Optimus Black should get gingerbread update soon. if you can wait, check if it fixes the battery problem. also check XDA's Optimus Black section if the battery problem can be fixed, else Nexus S looks like a good alternate as you don't want to play with custom roms.

Yes, Nexus S is very good option and you don't have to wait for the updates like other Android phones does. As you are not interested in custom roms, I would suggest to go for Nexus S.

PS: There is no phone as complete phone, else no one will upgrade and sell the old ones. You have to compromise on one of the features or the others. Just figure out urself, which one is on the top priority and which one the least and then make a decision outta it. Good luck.

[Anorion]

this "old stock" talk is srsly not true, there are older versions of droids and iphones on the market that offer great value despite being older iterations
from the options you mentioned, the Wildfire is as dated as it gets, its a very satisfying piece if you get it at a killer price
the "stylish and smart" begs the iPhone 3G tho, the device gets forgotten when you put on the apps

[MetallosaurusRex]

Originally Posted by Sam

^^ Optimus Black should get gingerbread update soon. if you can wait, check if it fixes the battery problem. also check XDA's Optimus Black section if the battery problem can be fixed, else Nexus S looks like a good alternate as you don't want to play with custom roms.

The LG guy told me that Gingerbread update is available...I have to go to their service centre and get it done. Need to check online if it solves the battery issues.

Nexus S is a viable option...but isn't Galaxy SL better overall? Does it have Gingerbread?

Originally Posted by dreatica

Yes, Nexus S is very good option and you don't have to wait for the updates like other Android phones does. As you are not interested in custom roms, I would suggest to go for Nexus S.

PS: There is no phone as complete phone, else no one will upgrade and sell the old ones. You have to compromise on one of the features or the others. Just figure out urself, which one is on the top priority and which one the least and then make a decision outta it. Good luck.

The concept of Nexus phones is that they get Google updates first? So it means OS upgrades or what? I'm a bit confused here.

[aroraanant]

only one thing for u,get Desire S

[Sam]

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

The LG guy told me that Gingerbread update is available...I have to go to their service centre and get it done. Need to check online if it solves the battery issues.

can be done at home easily.

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

Nexus S is a viable option...but isn't Galaxy SL better overall? Does it have Gingerbread?

depends what better mean for you. better maybe equal to better processor & GPU or maybe curved screen or HD video recording.

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

The concept of Nexus phones is that they get Google updates first? So it means OS upgrades or what? I'm a bit confused here.

yes. with NS you don't need to worry about manufacturers releasing new version of Android build for it. but till the hardware allows.

[dreatica]

Originally Posted by Sam

yes. with NS you don't need to worry about manufacturers releasing new version of Android build for it. but till the hardware allows.

All latest updates that are supported by the hardware of Nexus S will be released first by Google and later followed by HTC, Samsung etc for their phones.

Its not yet over Later on, you can follow custom roms for non release OS updates which will not be available by Google officially. So on both sides you will get the beautiful cherry.

[Terabyte]

I would go with Nexus S as well.
Samsung Galaxy SL shouldn't even be in your list IMO, unless FM Radio is your priority.

[MetallosaurusRex]

Originally Posted by Sam

^^ Optimus Black should get gingerbread update soon. if you can wait, check if it fixes the battery problem. also check XDA's Optimus Black section if the battery problem can be fixed, else Nexus S looks like a good alternate as you don't want to play with custom roms.

The LG guy here told me that GB upgrade is available, but XDA forums say it'll be around october. Anyways, as per XDA, the low battery life is due to s/w issues, apps that keep running in the background even if its on standby. So I suppose would be fixed in 2.3 update or I can disable those myself.

Originally Posted by dreatica

Yes, Nexus S is very good option and you don't have to wait for the updates like other Android phones does. As you are not interested in custom roms, I would suggest to go for Nexus S.

PS: There is no phone as complete phone, else no one will upgrade and sell the old ones. You have to compromise on one of the features or the others. Just figure out urself, which one is on the top priority and which one the least and then make a decision outta it. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Terabyte

I would go with Nexus S as well.
Samsung Galaxy SL shouldn't even be in your list IMO, unless FM Radio is your priority.

About the Nexus suggestions, 16GB is too less. As I mentioned earlier, it'll serve all my music and camera needs as I don't have an iPod or a digicam. And I don't want to spend 23k on Desire S if I am not getting good enough sound and photo quality, which many of you mentioned earlier is the case with HTC phones. In that case, I might as well buy Wildfire S (32GB, 5 MP, flash, Gingerbread) and save 10k.

Otherwise, X7 can be a good option as it has good music and photo capabilities.

Guess I'll weigh my options and run the good old MBA tool...SWOT analysis!

[dreatica]

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

About the Nexus suggestions, 16GB is too less. As I mentioned earlier, it'll serve all my music and camera needs as I don't have an iPod or a digicam. And I don't want to spend 23k on Desire S if I am not getting good enough sound and photo quality, which many of you mentioned earlier is the case with HTC phones. In that case, I might as well buy Wildfire S (32GB, 5 MP, flash, Gingerbread) and save 10k.

Otherwise, X7 can be a good option as it has good music and photo capabilities.

Guess I'll weigh my options and run the good old MBA tool...SWOT analysis!

I was in same situation where camera was not my priority as I always feel to carry digicam for such needs.

I purchased optimus one (for my Android needs) and iPod 4g 32gb (for my music,video and gaming needs). No matter how less you handle your Android device, it would still be less in terms of battery when you love music and videos.

Since, optimus one is old now let it stay outta topic. If you are thinking to buy Wildfire S, why not go with a combo like Wildfire S plus iPod 32gb if you are ok with carrying two devices. I hope this will suffice all your demands.

[Empirial]

I'd still recommend Nokia X7. If you're not willing to pay around 20k for Symbian device then wait for a month.

[MetallosaurusRex]

Originally Posted by dreatica

I was in same situation where camera was not my priority as I always feel to carry digicam for such needs.

I purchased optimus one (for my Android needs) and iPod 4g 32gb (for my music,video and gaming needs). No matter how less you handle your Android device, it would still be less in terms of battery when you love music and videos.

Since, optimus one is old now let it stay outta topic. If you are thinking to buy Wildfire S, why not go with a combo like Wildfire S plus iPod 32gb if you are ok with carrying two devices. I hope this will suffice all your demands.

I thought the same, but if I am buying an mp3 player, I would like it to have my entire music collection (150 GB) and thats gonna be Cowon X7 because of the superior audio quality (I am an audiophile). That can wait for now.

Originally Posted by Empirial

I'd still recommend Nokia X7. If you're not willing to pay around 20k for Symbian device then wait for a month.

Well....you mean price drop? And any idea when is Nokia launching its WP7 phones and are they gonna be better than Symbian and Android?

[pentiumlover]

Nokia X7 is Overpriced at 20K . The launch price should have been 16 to 17 K . Add some cash and get a Galaxy S or Desire S . Its a thumb rule in india to buy the product which is selling the best .

[Empirial]

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

Well....you mean price drop? And any idea when is Nokia launching its WP7 phones and are they gonna be better than Symbian and Android?

I've no idea about Nokia's WP7 phones but let me assure you that No Andriod Phone {Within 20k} can beat N8 & X7 in terms of Camera Performance & Audio Quality. If you can stretch your budger upto 23k then buy Samsung Galaxy S as the Audio Quality is as good as Nokia Phones but the only fly in the ointment is that it emits a slight hiss so if you prefer clean audio output like me then Nokia makes sense.

[MetallosaurusRex]

hmm...so Nokia is good for music and photos than Androids.

Do you guys see any lag in the performance of X7 if I am having data up to 32 GB? This is considering its limited h/w spec.

So now, the tradeoff is-good camera/music vs the usability of Gingerbread

Also, I read somewhere that you can actually fill up double the data in a phone than is specified. So, 64 GB can be put on 32GB phones?

[dreatica]

Originally Posted by Empirial

I've no idea about Nokia's WP7 phones but let me assure you that No Andriod Phone {Within 20k} can beat N8 & X7 in terms of Camera Performance & Audio Quality. If you can stretch your budger upto 23k then buy Samsung Galaxy S as the Audio Quality is as good as Nokia Phones but the only fly in the ointment is that it emits a slight hiss so if you prefer clean audio output like me then Nokia makes sense.

Apply voodoo fix for Nexus S and you will see what exactly sound quality an android phone within 20k can produce. Nokia phones are meant for camera phones, nothing else.

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

hmm...so Nokia is good for music and photos than Androids.

Do you guys see any lag in the performance of X7 if I am having data up to 32 GB? This is considering its limited h/w spec.

So now, the tradeoff is-good camera/music vs the usability of Gingerbread

Also, I read somewhere that you can actually fill up double the data in a phone than is specified. So, 64 GB can be put on 32GB phones?

Offcourse, be ready for lag if you are going to use Symbian Anna. Dont quote on this until you have X7 or X7 review unit. Ask desiibond, he also using a review unit of X7.

tradeoff would be goodcamera (Nokia) vs all (Android)

I dont think you can put 64gb on 32gb phones. If you found anything about it, do enlighten us too.

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

hmm...so Nokia is good for music and photos than Androids.

Do you guys see any lag in the performance of X7 if I am having data up to 32 GB? This is considering its limited h/w spec.

So now, the tradeoff is-good camera/music vs the usability of Gingerbread

Also, I read somewhere that you can actually fill up double the data in a phone than is specified. So, 64 GB can be put on 32GB phones?

I am testing X7 currently. Design and build wise, it is just terrific and nothing else comes close. Audio quality is top notch, so it the UI performance (no lag whatsoever). But there are some issues.

1. Price: seriously overpriced right now.
2. Battery: battery life is not that impressive and you cannot replace the battery (seals unibody style build)
3.it will lag with a 32gig memory card (atleast when you are accessing music or any application that will make use of the memory card). to negate this, you need to get an SD card with high throughput/datarate.

right now, I would either pick N8 or O:Black or N:S for a budget of 20k. if you can extend just a bit, D:S would be perfect.

[noob]

Originally Posted by Empirial

I've no idea about Nokia's WP7 phones but let me assure you that No Andriod Phone {Within 20k} can beat N8 & X7 in terms of Camera Performance & Audio Quality. If you can stretch your budger upto 23k then buy Samsung Galaxy S as the Audio Quality is as good as Nokia Phones but the only fly in the ointment is that it emits a slight hiss so if you prefer clean audio output like me then Nokia makes sense.

using galaxy S here and no such hiss as you mentioned. Sound quality is top-notch..just dont use the crap earphones bundled by samsung.

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by noob

using galaxy S here and no such hiss as you mentioned. Sound quality is top-notch..just dont use the crap earphones bundled by samsung.

and if necessary, apply voodoo patch to make it sound even better.

[MetallosaurusRex]

Originally Posted by desiibond

I am testing X7 currently. Design and build wise, it is just terrific and nothing else comes close. Audio quality is top notch, so it the UI performance (no lag whatsoever). But there are some issues.

1. Price: seriously overpriced right now.
2. Battery: battery life is not that impressive and you cannot replace the battery (seals unibody style build)
3.it will lag with a 32gig memory card (atleast when you are accessing music or any application that will make use of the memory card). to negate this, you need to get an SD card with high throughput/datarate.

right now, I would either pick N8 or O:Black or N:S for a budget of 20k. if you can extend just a bit, D:S would be perfect.

ok...that was quite helpful!

you expect a price drop on that any time soon? also, how bad is the battery backup? is it like O:Black, which "barely lasts a day"?

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by MetallosaurusRex

ok...that was quite helpful!

you expect a price drop on that any time soon? also, how bad is the battery backup? is it like O:Black, which "barely lasts a day"?

not sure when the price drop will happen. it lasted till yesterday night (drained almost completely by 9pm) on heavy internet use (EDGE and Wi-Fi), connected to EDGE all the time and the widgets pulling updates from internet.

[MetallosaurusRex]

ok...I assume your phone charge was since morning. so with all the updates running in the background, 9 pm is okayish (not good, but manageable).

Also, how much a 32GB mem card with a high datarate cost, and from where I buy it? I'm sure the usual marketplace retailers won't have any idea about it.

So, I guess I can narrow down my choices to X7 or Desire S. If I want to buy for less, Defy or Wildfire S. Trust me, I really rough up my phones! The lesser the financial pinch everytime, the better! :\