PPCGeeks - Should I buy Sprint Hero?

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Should I buy Sprint Hero?

hey everyone,

so i know there are a lot of threads out there that are similar to this one, however i feel that this will get all my questions answered much quicker than posting to individual threads.

Im currently with sprint and am currently eligible for a phone upgrade, as well as being in contract for another year regardless. I want something that runs android. Been running in as a secondary os on my diamond for a while but its got a long way to go yet. So I am leaning towards the sprints version of the hero.

here are my concerns/questions.

1. Android version.
so i know that the the hero is running a version behind the moto droid. however the sprint rep that i talked to today said that 2.1 is coming out within the next couple weeks. (true? or bologna?) He also told me that sprint was going to be offering updates either through the website, OTA downloads, or in-store. My concern is whether or not this man was credible or not. has anyone been able to update without messing stuff up?

2. visual voicemail was a HUGE +1 for me. Hows that working out for everyone?

3. Trackball
anyone thats every owned a blackberry will understand what im talking about. Trackballs, on bb's at least, are the source of problems and frustrations. I would know, i went through six of them.
Does the Hero's trackball have a lot of the same problems with dirt getting stuck in the inside and what not? and does it get disgusting looking with use?

4. capacitive screen
ive read that like the iphone, the hero can use the two-fingered pinch to zoom in/out. Ive also read that its not as smooth as the iphones. what are your thoughts?

5. Processor/RAM
Every review ive read says that the moto droid is faster than the hero. Is the hero noticeably slower? looking at the hero today it didnt seem slow to me at all, keep in mind im currently on a diamond.

6. Storage Space
Ive not gotten clear specs anywhere that will say how much device storage there is apart from the micro sd card. Anyone care to enlighten me? Does anyone get that annoying situation that i get on my diamond when it says its running low on device storage even though the only thing on there is the OS?

7. Battery Life
Someone please tell me its better than my Diamond's battery life. I have 2 batteries that I go through in a day even though i charge it throughout the day.

OK, so i will be watching this thread pretty much constantly until i decide what im going to do. Thanks in advance to anyone that can give their thoughts! ill try to post/reply as often as i can, as well as adding new questions as i think of them.

Thanks,
Kkeller87

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

The officvial isn't out yet, but the 2.1 roms out right now are awesome, with just some minor hiccups. Hopefully it drops soon. We're hoping for the first half of april.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

2. visual voicemail was a HUGE +1 for me. Hows that working out for everyone?

It's great. Never had any issues with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

3. Trackball
anyone thats every owned a blackberry will understand what im talking about. Trackballs, on bb's at least, are the source of problems and frustrations. I would know, i went through six of them.
Does the Hero's trackball have a lot of the same problems with dirt getting stuck in the inside and what not? and does it get disgusting looking with use?

Had my hero since october, and the tracball has never even looked dirty. Works well all the time, every time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

4. capacitive screen
ive read that like the iphone, the hero can use the two-fingered pinch to zoom in/out. Ive also read that its not as smooth as the iphones. what are your thoughts?

Depending on how you use your phone, its smooth. In the stock browser, with nothing running in the background (suck on that, iphone!) its butter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

5. Processor/RAM
Every review ive read says that the moto droid is faster than the hero. Is the hero noticeably slower? looking at the hero today it didnt seem slow to me at all, keep in mind im currently on a diamond.

It runs extremely well and, having played with the higher-end devices, it is a little slower, but not enough for me to even care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

6. Storage Space
Ive not gotten clear specs anywhere that will say how much device storage there is apart from the micro sd card. Anyone care to enlighten me? Does anyone get that annoying situation that i get on my diamond when it says its running low on device storage even though the only thing on there is the OS?

There are quite a few aps in the market and built into the phone that show you how much memory you have left. I would recommend use of those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

7. Battery Life
Someone please tell me its better than my Diamond's battery life. I have 2 batteries that I go through in a day even though i charge it throughout the day.

The battery life is better than the diamond, vogue, and iphone. Its a beautiful thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

OK, so i will be watching this thread pretty much constantly until i decide what im going to do. Thanks in advance to anyone that can give their thoughts! ill try to post/reply as often as i can, as well as adding new questions as i think of them.

Thanks,
Kkeller87

Buy it. Now.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

thanks bradart. I like what im hearing!

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

I'd personally wait a few months to see if the supersonic is gonna be available & when. That's gonna be a sweet phone.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Being a former diamond owner the hero is beast. Great batt life. I txt constantly n play several games n high internet use! No lock UPS like the diamond at all and if yu choose between moment n hero, go with hero. The moment has very little support and slow progress in roms and what not. And trackball I don't use much but its been couple monyhs n its still clean looking and running perfect love this phone!

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by highwayman1224 (Post 1635193)

I'd personally wait a few months to see if the supersonic is gonna be available & when. That's gonna be a sweet phone.

i agree 100%
if you can, just wait a few more months, if the supersonic comes out, its going to be one hell of a phone.

I love the battery life on this hero, have been using it non stop the entire day almost 5/7 days a week and never had to worry about a dead battery because it really lasts forever! (even with it fetching emails from 4 different accounts every 5 minutes, as well as getting tweets every 5 minutes)

the trackball is really nice too, ive only had my hero for about a month but I have a friend who has had his since october and has never had any issues with the trackball.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

+1 on the supersonic

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Speaking to my Sprint Corporate guy, he hinted that something big was coming to Sprint in the near future with Android. That was all he could confirm for me at the time, as he was bound to silence otherwise. I asked if it was the rumored Supersonic, and he repeated that he couldn't say, but gave a little chuckle.

BTW, Sprint Corporate treats their customers well... I have two tickets to the Pistons/Pacers game next Tuesday, with a VIP reception/dinner prior to the game, courtesy of Sprint!

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jye75 (Post 1635842)

No offense. I heard that sprint is gonna get something really great within the next 10 years!! Keep your eyes open for some big things. LOL. ](*,):mrgreen:

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50255; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

thanks for responses folks. keep em coming!

and i just looked at specs for the supersonic, and all i can say is "omfg"
that phone looks like a powerhouse of awesomeness.

I'd like to see it come to sprint first but how often does sprint get anything first?

lets hear some more about the hero, thanks again!

kkeller87

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

it is a great phone nothing lags to me its smoother than win mo but i only get about 13 hours of battery life but i do send about 500 text a day and listen to a hour or so of music

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

The hero is great and coming from the diamond you should see significant improvements in every area of concern (except the crappy cut and paste but if the update includes the new cut and paste from the legend it will be flawless lol).

However, the supersonic looks awesome and is basically a Super- Hero lol so if u can wait I would. But I know I wouldn't be able to wait. My understanding is it could drop anytime between now and summer, maybe even fall (which I doubt since VZW getting the Nexus One soon). So if u can confirm a release that's soon I'd wait otherwise, you won't regret getting the Hero.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Yes 2.1 is coming....early Q2 is all we know.

No issues with the trackball here. I rarely use it, but it shows no signs of dirt, or sticking.

Pinch and zoom works pretty good depending on when you use it. If you use it in the middle of the page loading, it's choppy. If you wait for the page to load completely, it is fairly smooth.

I always have ~30mb of available ram. But I'm never low on memory, because android will steal ram from background/non running process, and give that ram to the processes that are running. I always back out of apps, using the back button on the phone, so I have yet to see a memory issue, and I've had the phone since release date (actually the friday before release date).

Battery life has been hit or miss with me. I've had days where I barely use the phone, and it's about to die after 12 hours. Recently, my battery has been performing like a champ, even under rather heavy usage. I am taking calls, downloading videos, text messaging, and I still have plenty of battery at the end of the day. If you go in and out of roaming, or between EV and 1X, you will kill the battery quick.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbussen (Post 1635846)

No offense. I heard that sprint is gonna get something really great within the next 10 years!! Keep your eyes open for some big things. LOL. ](*,):mrgreen:

No offense taken. <sarcasm on> In fact, I heard that cellphones were going to be completely obsolete in 50 years, so why bother with new devices at all? <sarcasm off>:)

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jye75 (Post 1636336)

No offense taken. <sarcasm on> In fact, I heard that cellphones were going to be completely obsolete in 50 years, so why bother with new devices at all? <sarcasm off>:)

Haha!! "Just picked up my HTC implant this week. Its sweet! I just think and it does everything! Better than that stupid Iphone Implant.".:headbang:

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50255; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

thanks everyone for the replies, im appreciating all of them!

sidebar - ive been doing this phone stuff for a year now, and have never heard the word implant used. care to enlighten me?

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Implants in this conversation(at least for now) are entirely satirical and not meant to be taken seriously.

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50255; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

oh haha im cool ;)

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

wait! the nexus and supersonic are on the way, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to be able to trade in my hero, or sell it and my 2 touch pro2's for either 1

but if you cant wait... like i said I have 2 tp2's and since hooking up my hero I havent yet even thought of turning 1 of them back on, although I will be honest, as for just a phone the tp2 was the best quality phone I've ever had best and truly crystal calling just for use as a phone... but who here really uses there phone for calling people:scratch:, lol

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows Mobile; WCE; Opera Mobi/WMD-50255; U; en) Presto/2.4.13 Version/10.00)

I'm definitely waiting until the release date for the supersonic becomes more clear. in the meantime lets talk about this nexus one.
the nexus one is supposed to be king cause it is open to os updates from google and i've heard doesn't require rooting. can anyone tell me the major pros and cons of the nexus from a user standpoint?

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkeller87 (Post 1634831)

1. Android version.
2. visual voicemail
3. Trackball
4. capacitive screen
5. Processor/RAM
6. Storage Space
7. Battery Life

So I had the same debate you've been having for about 2 months. Then, last weekend the screen on my Diamond went out...I tried to buy another Diamond off Craigslist so I wouldn't waste my upgrade bonus (hoping to hold off for a WinMo7 phone...). It didn't work out so I decided on the Hero (it just didn't make sense to drop $300 on a TP2 when you know it's obsolete out of the box).

I must say, even with the 1.5 software, this phone is everything I've been trying to get out of my phone by Flashing my Diamond every couple of days and more...the Sense is Amazing and is far superior to what I've had on my Diamond.

1. I actually prefer Android 1.5 with Sense to 2.0 without Sense (Moto Droid). At this point I can't imagine a phone without Sense and will happily wait for 2.1 with Sense instead of going with a 2.0 phone without sense.

2. Visual Voicemail is HUGE and has changed how I use voicemail. Could use a few small improvements, but they are minor.

3. I've only had it for a week so I can't comment on the dirt factor, but remember the BB relies on the trackball where the Hero has the trackball as a bonus. I rarely use it, instead opting to use the touchscreen 95% of the time.

4. The screen is fine and an improvement over the Diamond and TP2. I don't notice any sluggishness between it and an iPhone. I don't use two finger pinch zoom. I find double tap to be more efficient (I'm a one hand phone guy)

5. The processor is faster on the Droid based on specs (and if you're a Sprint customer, you really should be comparing the Samsung Moment and the Hero, which also has a faster processor), but when I've used the two, I didn't notice much of a difference. They certainly work faster than the Diamond or the TP2. My debate here was to wait for the HTC Supersonic with the blazing 1 GHZ processor, but I just couldn't hold out any longer. I have 30 days, so if there's an announcement soon, I'll adjust accordingly. But since you asled about the Droid, my sister has the Droid and she was very envious of my Sense UI regardless of the processor.

6. Too early for me to comment on as I haven't spent much time in the app store, but with the expandable Micro-SD card, I'm not concerned about it.

7. It's been better for me (I can goa full day with fairly heavy usage, but YMMV), but one is out of the box and one was a few years old. One thing that has helped is the Hero's light sensor, which dims the screen when indoors or in low light. I'm pretty sure lighting up the screen is the biggest power draw. The screen also rarely lights up on it's own (new call only, really) but that is likely a product of flashing a diamond rather than the original SW design.

Anyhow, through one week I've had no regrets with my Hero and am looking forward to the future with the phone. I'm happy to answer any more questions for you as I used this thread before making my decision...

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

no, no, and absolutely NO!
Don't buy sprints gen 1 android phone near the END of it's prouct lifecycle. If ANYTHING, Drop money on the nexus one here in a few weeks, then ebay that to cover costs for the supersonic or further phones. If you get the hero now you are throwing some opportunity cost down the drain after the next android phone comes out and knocks the second hand market price down.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Sprint should have 1 or 2 announcements next week at CTIA. But yeah, I'd wait for the Supersonic of the Nexus One.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Thing is unless your one of the people who have to have to new thing when it comes out..The hero is a fine smartphone..I love mine.. running fresh 2.0b,with the newer radio.. just bought the seidio 3500 mAh ext batt. outside of a few quirks..she is running great.. I love sense...it works for me..

but with anything u have to try before u buy..then decide...If u really think bout it.. even the vogue being how old now..does pretty much what current phones do. just a smaller screen and rez.. I got the hero.. because im used to htc.. and i knew there would be countless mods and roms for it. not to mention alot of after market stuff..( 3500 mAh batt )

The moment.. i cant find anything for it.. not alot of mods. etc.. but that doesnt make it a bad phone.. many praise it..just not for me..tp2 great phone.. but more of the same with a bigger screen.. palm pre.. great os. failed hardware..bb, tour its a bb what else do u need..or so my wifes says..she loves her tour..

go play and decide..only u will know whats best for u..

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritcrusher33 (Post 1647290)

I really want something with sense on it. however the N1 being completely open is a perk. Im definitely going to be getting a phone running android

Quote:

Originally Posted by cordevil95 (Post 1646844)

Sprint should have 1 or 2 announcements next week at CTIA. But yeah, I'd wait for the Supersonic of the Nexus One.

this cannot come soon enough, im stoked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willpower101 (Post 1646769)

at this point im defintely waiting to see what happens with CTIA, however it will all come down to the specifics of pricing and what not. i cant justify spending full retail on a phone without carrier subsidizing. (nexus).

Quote:

Originally Posted by vansmack (Post 1642360)

So I had the same debate you've been having for about 2 months. Then, last weekend the screen on my Diamond went out...I tried to buy another Diamond off Craigslist so I wouldn't waste my upgrade bonus (hoping to hold off for a WinMo7 phone...). It didn't work out so I decided on the Hero (it just didn't make sense to drop $300 on a TP2 when you know it's obsolete out of the box).
i agree on the TP2

I must say, even with the 1.5 software, this phone is everything I've been trying to get out of my phone by Flashing my Diamond every couple of days and more...the Sense is Amazing and is far superior to what I've had on my Diamond.

1. I actually prefer Android 1.5 with Sense to 2.0 without Sense (Moto Droid). At this point I can't imagine a phone without Sense and will happily wait for 2.1 with Sense instead of going with a 2.0 phone without sense.
i agree sense is fantastic.

2. Visual Voicemail is HUGE and has changed how I use voicemail. Could use a few small improvements, but they are minor.
i tried getting this through some third party apps, itll be nice to have it legit

3. I've only had it for a week so I can't comment on the dirt factor, but remember the BB relies on the trackball where the Hero has the trackball as a bonus. I rarely use it, instead opting to use the touchscreen 95% of the time.
i feel that most people arent having problems with it cause its not used much, its fine by me

4. The screen is fine and an improvement over the Diamond and TP2. I don't notice any sluggishness between it and an iPhone. I don't use two finger pinch zoom. I find double tap to be more efficient (I'm a one hand phone guy)
Good to hear

5. The processor is faster on the Droid based on specs (and if you're a Sprint customer, you really should be comparing the Samsung Moment and the Hero, which also has a faster processor), but when I've used the two, I didn't notice much of a difference. They certainly work faster than the Diamond or the TP2. My debate here was to wait for the HTC Supersonic with the blazing 1 GHZ processor, but I just couldn't hold out any longer. I have 30 days, so if there's an announcement soon, I'll adjust accordingly. But since you asled about the Droid, my sister has the Droid and she was very envious of my Sense UI regardless of the processor.
i dislike samsung.

6. Too early for me to comment on as I haven't spent much time in the app store, but with the expandable Micro-SD card, I'm not concerned about it.
my number one concern with space is the device storage. with my diamond whenever i run through a lot of web pages and build up a decent sized image cache, my diamond gives me warning saying im low on space. drives me up the wall.

7. It's been better for me (I can goa full day with fairly heavy usage, but YMMV), but one is out of the box and one was a few years old. One thing that has helped is the Hero's light sensor, which dims the screen when indoors or in low light. I'm pretty sure lighting up the screen is the biggest power draw. The screen also rarely lights up on it's own (new call only, really) but that is likely a product of flashing a diamond rather than the original SW design.
ill be fine with anything that can last longer than 5 hours. longer the better obviously

Anyhow, through one week I've had no regrets with my Hero and am looking forward to the future with the phone. I'm happy to answer any more questions for you as I used this thread before making my decision...

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

Yeah, I decided to forgo the Hero for the Supersonic. I really hope it lives up to the hype per the rumored specs. Sprint better not mess this up.

Re: Should I buy Sprint Hero?

So, youve all seen the latest news feed, the Evo(supersonic) has been unveiled. Im waiting. i made a mess in my pants when i saw that article

thank you to everyone that shared their thoughts on the hero, it was VERY much appreciated, thank you for the time that each of you put into this thread.