Criteria
Comments
Rating
- Reception and call quality No comments
- Display No comments
- Battery life No comments
- Camera No comments
- Ease of use No comments
- Design and form factor No comments
- Portability (size / weight) No comments
- Media support No comments
- Durability No comments
- Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) No comments
Detailed review
I'll admit that I wanted this phone because I loved the ui of the iPhone but didn't want to switch carriers. I preorderd and received it in November and on the whole I wasn't disappointed.
Sharp capacitive touch screen, easy to press keys and the trackball is a real bouns! Innovative notification bar on top of screen is very informative and works well once you get used to 'pulling it down'. Swing-out mechanism of screen to expose keyboard is solid and I haven't had any problems with it all all. App marketplace is maturing since it first opened and I am satisfied with its offerings.
It took me awhile to get used to the chin; esp. when using the keyboard. I think that with the updated ui, the chin becomes more of a distinctive feature. I say this because I now use the on-screen keyboard more than the phys. one and therefore is isn't in the way. And the chin gives it character that other touchscreen phones lack (see samsung touchscreeens like the Omnia, etc). Another HTC phone, the HTC Hero really benefits from the chin; it looks more like a communicator from a scifi movie as opposed to just a small tablet.
The camera is very basic with no zoom or flash and this is disappointing, esp. since HTC has better cameras on their other phones. As long as you have good lighting and don't move it will take a decent pic.
The ui isn't as smooth as the iPhone; some of my apps crash (dxTop theme, BBC widget) and this annoys me but because it is an open source project and there have been MANY updates of the apps I've downloaded, I am happily keeping the faith.
In fact, besides the availability of apps, the other thing that keeps me happy with this phone is its customization. I have downloaded a lot of ui skins and icon skins that you can use to personalize your screen. Everything from Superman, Heroes (NBC T.V.),volcanic planet, naruto, iPhone, etc.) will keep your G1 interesting to look at and use.
In the end, the G! was worth the money when it first came out because of the android ui and its customization. If i were looking for a phone now, I would still stick with android, but i would wait for the Hero or the Samsung i7500
Sharp capacitive touch screen, easy to press keys and the trackball is a real bouns! Innovative notification bar on top of screen is very informative and works well once you get used to 'pulling it down'. Swing-out mechanism of screen to expose keyboard is solid and I haven't had any problems with it all all. App marketplace is maturing since it first opened and I am satisfied with its offerings.
It took me awhile to get used to the chin; esp. when using the keyboard. I think that with the updated ui, the chin becomes more of a distinctive feature. I say this because I now use the on-screen keyboard more than the phys. one and therefore is isn't in the way. And the chin gives it character that other touchscreen phones lack (see samsung touchscreeens like the Omnia, etc). Another HTC phone, the HTC Hero really benefits from the chin; it looks more like a communicator from a scifi movie as opposed to just a small tablet.
The camera is very basic with no zoom or flash and this is disappointing, esp. since HTC has better cameras on their other phones. As long as you have good lighting and don't move it will take a decent pic.
The ui isn't as smooth as the iPhone; some of my apps crash (dxTop theme, BBC widget) and this annoys me but because it is an open source project and there have been MANY updates of the apps I've downloaded, I am happily keeping the faith.
In fact, besides the availability of apps, the other thing that keeps me happy with this phone is its customization. I have downloaded a lot of ui skins and icon skins that you can use to personalize your screen. Everything from Superman, Heroes (NBC T.V.),volcanic planet, naruto, iPhone, etc.) will keep your G1 interesting to look at and use.
In the end, the G! was worth the money when it first came out because of the android ui and its customization. If i were looking for a phone now, I would still stick with android, but i would wait for the Hero or the Samsung i7500
good review!
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