Ok, I bought the HD2 at Radio Shack. They too just dropped their price down to $150 like the walk-in price at WalMart. The guy checked the coverage map online at the T-Mobile website, and I am in the dark green (excellent) coverage area in my apartment, though I am close to the light green (moderate) zone.
My impressions? This phone is HUGE!!!! But I mean that as a positive comment. Also, any program, scrolling, nearly everything on this is blazingly FAST - BUT!!!!! THE T-Mobile signal strength in my apartment sucks the big one
I rarely see a 3G connection, mostly the "E", and even then at 1-3 bars at best. YouTube??? Forget it! Internet? 5+ minute webpage loading (even on this webpage, 7+ min). But if or when I get a touch of 3G, then both YouTube and Internet blaze on this phone! Its just I never get that 3G much if at all.
As for voice quality during a call, this HD2 is darn near crystal clear compared to my TP2. The virtual keyboard, as mentioned earlier, is soooooo freaking sensitive. I could learn to live without the TP2 sliding keyboard (after a very long while LOL), but if there is a way to "desensitize" the virtual keyboard, that would be a tremendous help.
The Transformers videos are amazing, excellent PQ (and I am a home theater nut, am on AVS Forum a lot too). But the audio through the speaker is weak. I will assume through the earphones it would be much better?
Other problem - no one carries a case for this yet, at least who I checked with (Radio Shack, T-Mobile stores locally, Best Buy), though the gel skin will help for the pocket use, as well as the screen protector. but this needs/DESERVES a nice case (preferably still able to use the gel skin with it).
All in all, this is an AWESOME PHONE! It is ONLY let down by the poor signal strength of the T-Mobile network
IF ONLY Verizon could sell this too....... Cause my TP2 has normally 3-4 bars of 3G where the HD2 is lucky to get 1-3 bars of "E" (for EMPTY????).
I will hate to do this, especially now that I have tasted the blazing speed of the Snapdragon, but I will sadly have to return the HD2 and just use a custom 6.5.3 / 2.5 ROM on my TP2. I can live with a less responsive screen more than I can live with no 3G signal