Choice between HTC Evo and Samsung Epic - Custom ROM fixes

[newt]

OK I am trying to decide between a Samsung Epic and HTC Evo for my work device and wanted to get some feedback from those that my use both or have worked to fix some of the Evo's flaws. So on the EVO the main things that concerns me are the HD video quality it seems the FPS are too low and the battery life too short. Are both of these fixable with the custom ROM's? Does anyone have a sample video recorded after the fix?
On the Epic, I am concerned about the GPS lock issue and the download / upload speeds. Anyone know if they have been fixed. I would really like the keyboard but don't know that I can deal with the bugs. Any news on when the EPIC might see Froyo?


Thanks for your comments.

[00_MACKIE_00]

My battery lasts over 24 hours on the Evo, the Epic is junk. You want junk, go buy an EPIC. If you want a real phone, buy the Evo.

[boredandtattooed]

hmmmm, wonder why we have a phone comparison forums????

[pjsnyc]

I initially got the Epic because I was coming from a TP2 and wanted a hardware keyboard. While the phone worked well, I found there to be a few annoyances that made me swap it out for an Evo:

1) I realized I ended up using Swype a lot more than the hardware keyboard. In fact, I barely used the hardware keyboard at all. I also realized that the keyboard would slide out a bit (even do a slight oreo effect) when using swype one handed. Very annoying.

2) Seeing as this was my first android device, I wanted to keep it stock for the most part but root it for a few things (wireless tether, etc.). I guess I just felt a little more warm and fuzzy inside knowing that the hacking community is larger with HTC devices.

3) TouchWiz sucks. The stock dialer sucks. The samsung widgets suck. Esp. since I was coming from a TP2, Sense just made so much more...uh...sense.

4) The battery in the TP2 works in the EVO - I love playing golf so one battery for GPS rangefinder just wont cut it.

5) The build quality feels better with the EVO. More creaking on the Epic. The EVO just feels like a solid device in comparison.

6) Froyo on the EVO, Epic - who knows when (supposedly soon).

7) When using apps from the marketplace - sometimes they dont support Galaxy S phones (for example - Skype didn't work at all for me, but it works on the EVO). I know its a matter of time, but for the time being it appears that the EVO gets more testing from the devs and commenters

FWIW - I didnt experience the GPS issues others have reported with Galaxy S devices. Of course - YMMV.

The Epic does have its advantages of course - better screen, better video recording, better pictures, hardware camera button, UI feels smoother when swiping around screens or scrolling down webpages. It also comes with a 16GB card (EVO comes with , but for most people on this site it probably wont matter.

I hope my recent personal experience helps. Which reminds me - I need to send in that rebate slip!

[DarkLord]

Originally Posted by 00_MACKIE_00

My battery lasts over 24 hours on the Evo, the Epic is junk. You want junk, go buy an EPIC. If you want a real phone, buy the Evo.

I love my Evo but im constantly tethered to a power source. How do you get so much time out of yours?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[gTen]

Originally Posted by newt

On the Epic, I am concerned about the GPS lock issue and the download / upload speeds. Anyone know if they have been fixed. I would really like the keyboard but don't know that I can deal with the bugs. Any news on when the EPIC might see Froyo?

The Epic never really had a GPS lock issue..it was confused with the other Galaxy S phones, the Fascinate and Epic has the same GPS chip as the motorola droid unlike its other counterparts...biggest issue people are reporting is the gps average meters being a little high. (even though on the map it looks fairly accurate..its kinda a thing you gotta judge for yourself)...as for Froyo..rumor is Nov 14th

Originally Posted by 00_MACKIE_00

My battery lasts over 24 hours on the Evo, the Epic is junk. You want junk, go buy an EPIC. If you want a real phone, buy the Evo.

....so why does the Epic have better specs? lol

Originally Posted by pjsnyc

1) I realized I ended up using Swype a lot more than the hardware keyboard. In fact, I barely used the hardware keyboard at all. I also realized that the keyboard would slide out a bit (even do a slight oreo effect) when using swype one handed. Very annoying.

you may have had a bad unit...I also use the touchscreen more often and keyboard for surfing web and writing long emails..and never had this happen.

2) Seeing as this was my first android device, I wanted to keep it stock for the most part but root it for a few things (wireless tether, etc.). I guess I just felt a little more warm and fuzzy inside knowing that the hacking community is larger with HTC devices.

Actually out of box the Epic is one of the best devices there is..I personally am still using stock.

3) TouchWiz sucks. The stock dialer sucks. The samsung widgets suck. Esp. since I was coming from a TP2, Sense just made so much more...uh...sense.

TouchWiz is a simple interface, its not that bad...but if necessary you can use other Launchers such as Launcher Pro..also both devices can use Android wigets and most of the widgets are Android widgets anyways. Most thing sense offers can be replaced with widgets/apps.

5) The build quality feels better with the EVO. More creaking on the Epic. The EVO just feels like a solid device in comparison.

You sure you didn't have a bad unit? not one creek ever..also build quality wise Epic > Evo...watch any teardown video of both and you'll see the difference. Also, Epic has Gorilla Glass >.>

6) Froyo on the EVO, Epic - who knows when (supposedly soon).

Samsung announced it in Nov...the rumor though is on Nov 14th

7) When using apps from the marketplace - sometimes they dont support Galaxy S phones (for example - Skype didn't work at all for me, but it works on the EVO). I know its a matter of time, but for the time being it appears that the EVO gets more testing from the devs and commenters

At this point its being tested as there are more Galaxy S Phones then there are Evos sold.

Originally Posted by DarkLord

I love my Evo but im constantly tethered to a power source. How do you get so much time out of yours?

He is obviously not tethering for 24 hours straight lol


Anyways I'm moving this to comparisons forum

[pjsnyc]

Originally Posted by gTen

you may have had a bad unit...

hmpf...maybe I did have a bad unit
.
.
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TOO LATE! I <3 EVO!

[darren.wlsn1]

thanx gten for explaining to above poster, to the op i had both devices and epic wins in so may ways. best thing to do is look at epic forum for all our threads about stuff thats broke/wont work ect and theres very little issues if any and the 2 i see (gps/bt) are non issues, gps fixed with ota and bt was user error. the evo forums are full of threads with issues.

[jimmy82]

You wont be disappointed with either phone. Personal preference on these two devices. If you absolutely need a keyboard, epic is the way to go. I still find it hard to use the onscreen keyboard, coming from the tp2. I don't type that much, so doesn't matter. Screen wise, epic is better, but unless you're anal about, wont matter 99% of the time. All phones have their issues as well as some people like to complain about everything they can find wrong with a phone. No phone is perfect. Again, personal preference.