Disappointed with the HTC TOUCH DIAMOND

Kayoss · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 04:47 PM

I recently bought a new Sprint Diamond phone and flashed it to my Cricket service. I really thought I would like the touch screen design but instead, found it annoying. When talking on the phone and just simple handling, I would accidentally press the screen, which would activate another program, change a setting or mute the ring or system sounds. Even if I could correct this, I just don't care for the phone.
Can someone suggest a phone with physical keypad and similar functions to the diamond that can be fully flashed to Cricket? I was sorta looking at the TREO 700-800 but haven't really looked into it yet...will hopefully have time later. I was hoping someone might have some input to save me some time searching. Would appreciate it!

**dannzeman** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 04:14 AM

Others aren't going to do your searching for you. Now, if you've searched and you say you can't find anything we may be a little more willing to help, but we're not going to do your job for you. Taking the time to do the search is just part of being a new user.

Kayoss · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 05:37 AM

I am not asking anyone to do my job for me. I asked if some could suggest a phone that they are happy with that is flashed for Cricket.
I am well aware of most of the cdma cell phones that can be programmed for Cricket.. I did a great deal of searching and researching before deciding on the HTC Diamond, then spent well over a week learning how to flash it so it would be fully functional on Cricket with a custom ROM.
I know there are not a whole lot of smartphones with the front QWERTY keyboard that can be fully flashed to Cricket. The two that I know of, are the Motorola Q and the TREO series. The Q had unfavorable reviews and there are several TREO phones ranging from 600 to 800.

boiker · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 12:49 PM

My wife loves the Q9c. I don't know if that can be flashed.

**weedahoe** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 08:55 AM

First of all, if you want a device like the Diamond but with a physical KB, why not the Touch Pro? Secondly, for those of us with PPCs, we all have learned to keep the screen away from our face because it picks up oil from the skin. If you learn to do this you will also solve your other issue of accidently activating other apps. You could also simply be mindful to turn the screen off while you are talking on it or even set the power settings to turn it off for you after a few seconds. There are apps out there that will lock your screen for you after a few secs or even take advantage of the G Sensor and turn it off. I know I see lots of thread where ppl use the 6800 (Titan/Mogul) for Cricket.

Kayoss · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:44 AM

Thank you Boiker! I definitely like the Q9c over the Q. I never really looked at the Q9c before. Yes, it can be flashed with a little effort and an upgrade from Motorola's homepage. It also had some great reviews.

Kayoss · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 03:32 AM

My first thought was to get the Touch Pro because of the Qwerty keyboard. I am still considering it. I am trying really hard to "fall in love" with my Diamond. Holding it away from my face is not a big deal, I can adjust to that. I already set my screen to turn off after a few seconds, the problem I found with this was not having the keypad accessible when I needed to enter in info quickly. I found the sequence to bring it up during a call but I guess I just found it irritating. I tried out a friend's Blackberry Storm before even thinking about a touch screen display and really liked it. After comparing the two now, the screen on the Storm is quite a bit larger, making it a lot easier to navigate without a stylus. I don't like having to rely on the stylus to enter in information. I have the alignment exact, but still find myself backspacing to correct mistypes when trying to enter text quickly. If I could use this phone just as a leisure phone, I think I would be really happy.
I first looked at the Mogul before purchasing the Diamond. Personally, I liked the style of the Mogul better, but chose the Diamond because of the reviews it received. I wish Nokia was programmable for Cricket. I had T-Mobile prior to Cricket for 3 years and only purchased Nokia products. I never had a complaint. *sigh* Thanks weedahoe.

**hooover** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 03:10 AM

I have been using the Diamond for about 2 months now prior to that it was the Touch Pro before that 800w and through out all kept my Vogue on...I have found my Vogue to be the most reliable device out of the bunch.

I only brought all this up because I noticed you mentioned possible interest in the treo800 if you are looking into flashing a device I'm sure there is no unlocker yet for this device which is the main reason I left it behind...Also the motorola Q9c has know touch capabilities...

Also the TP is not a bad Idea even though there is a ton of stuff that needs to be done to it before you will feel 100% confortable with it...

There is different dialers out there that cover your phones options so that you have to slide it down on the screen to keep your face from hitting anything accidentally...Personally I would stick with your Diamond or move to the Pro thats where your comfort level will stay the same between these two devices...There are plenty of pros and cons to both devices....GOOD LUCK!!!!

Kayoss · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 05:22 PM

After researching my options, I think I will stick it out with the Diamond for a bit. I lost sight of the MAIN reason I chose the Diamond in the first place. The HTC Diamond (Sprint) has one of the lowest SAR ratings W/kg among the CDMA smartphones out there @ .85. If I were to choose the HTC Touch Pro, that number jumps to 1.43W/kg. In the US, the phone's SAR rating must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram in order to pass the FCC certification. Personally, the sharp rise in the cases of brain tumors among individuals under 45 is not coincidental to me. I would prefer to have that number as low as possible but would settle for a phone with a rating of 1.2 or lower. The HTC Diamond and the LG Dare were the two I liked that had low SAR ratings. Thanks for the info hooover.

boiker · #10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayoss

Thank you Boiker! I definitely like the Q9c over the Q. I never really looked at the Q9c before. Yes, it can be flashed with a little effort and an upgrade from Motorola's homepage. It also had some great reviews.

NP! Make sure you get TEP. The Q9c is a fine phone but can demonstrate odd quirks. My wife's original Q9c survived a bath courtesy our 1 year old but faulted when dropped about six inches. The replacement to that slowly degraded over time until the USB and SD ports stopped working. She's on her 3rd in under 1 year. Despite those problems, the phone has a great screen and keyboard and is exceptionally responsive. If I wasn't a PPC addict, the Q9c is a certainly a smartphone I'd consider.