Going from Apache to Touch Pro

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Hi All,
I have an Apache (PPC-6700 from Sprint) and I'm thinking of replacing it with the Touch Pro. I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or recommendations. Does the Touch Pro seems pretty solid? My biggest complaint with the Apache has been reliability. i.e. Having to enable/disable bluetooth and/or reset the phone to get bluetooth working.

It looks like the Touch Pro has quite a few new features over the Apache and hopefully will run faster because of the quicker processor and more RAM. I've been pretty happy overall with the Apache and I've been using it for over three years now. I just want to make sure the Touch Pro is going to be an improvement before I spend the money on it.

[ericcire]

I made the Apache to TP swap back when the TP first came out. Best decision I have ever made. Now with the new TF3D the touch pro kills the game.

[Darkjedi]

Wow, if you're coming from the Apache, anything would be an upgrade, no offense hahah.

I used the XV6700 for almost 2 years, it was a sturdy but a brick of a phone. The software is a lot more slick now and the TP is able to handle the newer platform much better than say the 6800 did. If you're comfortable with custom ROM flashing or tweaking the stock ROM, you'll be very happy with the TP.

As for the speed, I don't really notice the horsepower of the phones when I use them, the XV6700 gave me problems, just as the 6800 gave me problems, just as the TP now can give me problems. Unfortunately I think this is mostly windows mobiles fault than anything else. Functionally the TP is light years ahead of the 6700 though and you shouldn't hesitate to upgrade.

Though if you are willing to wait, the Touch Pro 2 is going to be released later this year, at least according to rumor.

[IrogSinta]

As one who also switched from the 6700, I have to say that you will be a happy camper. Everything is way so much better. You won't regret the move.

Well actually, you might regret it. That is if the Touch Pro 2 became available right after you switched.

[Kalnel]

I had the Apache for 2+ years, and I have to say I wish I had NOT switched. (But, I'm using the Verizon TP, not the Sprint one.) I don't mean to trash the TP entirely, but I haven't found the high price worth the money relative to staying with the Apache.

For me, pros and cons are:
Screen: TP is "better" in that it is higher res, but I cannot see a functional difference in any program, including Slingplayer

Keyboard: TP has dedicated numbers and a better cap/function lock. Apache has a tab key and its M is in the right place

Storage: TP is much better. No more deciding whether to install programs on card or device

Memory: TP has more, but with the Verizon phone, it still does not have enough. Better than Apache, but not significantly better for Verizon.

Camera: TP is rated better, but again, I'm not seeing a difference in results. Apache is easier to use with button placed better

Buttons: Apache has more buttons, dedicated soft-keys, which I miss a lot. I also prefer "hard" d-pad on Apache.

Size: TP is smaller and lighter. Apache body (minus antenna) is about the same height at TP.

Data: Haven't seen a difference in performance

Speed: I have seen only a tiny difference in prorgam switching speed with the two devices configured similarly. (And I've tried lots of ROMs on both.)

Stability: Neither device is stellar. With various ROMS, I'd say they're about the same.

Durability: So far so good, although my sense is the Apache is more rugged. I dropped, skidded, and banged my Apache around for years without a hiccup. I've dropped the TP a few times without ruining it, but it seems more "delicate."

Headphones: Apache has a dedicated jack; TP needs a dongle (which I hate).

GPS: TP has it, Apache doesn't.

Phone quality: About the same.

Bluetooth: TP definitely pairs better and faster with stereo headphones and car.

Battery life: About the same on standard battery.

IR: Apache has it, TP doesn't. I used my Apache as a remote control, so I miss this a lot.

Anyway, just another view for you. Several of these issues apply only to the Verizon phone, so YMMV. Good luck!

[XV6700Dummy]

I persevered with my apache for quite some time and upon getting a good rom flashed to it, it's been fantastic well within it's processor and memory limits.

You will not like that HTC raped TP owners of simple utility like the headphone jack mentioned.

You may, like I do, hate HTC for the D Pad which makes running some amazing software, of which will run brilliantly on the TP and won't even boot up on the apache, impossible. The D Pad is pure junk.

The standard battery on my apache, after rom and tweaks, out lasts my TP battery, more than 10:1 and I've had 3 TP's and 4 apaches. The battery situation and heat problems are infuriating since the TP is very alluring in so many ways.

The camera? daylight and dark difference between the two and from what I've seen they are not putting a front camera on the TP 2, and are adding insult to injury by removing the very useful flash as well.

I've not gotten brave enough to flash my TP's and I do wish I could hook up with somebody local that has been there and done it, along with having a windows machine that cooperates better than any I have access to... I think I'd like one with linux installed on it but, as bad as it makes my head hurt just wading thru this site and attempting to discern something as rudimentary as a hard reset for this device, I don't think I'll even consider it unless I just happen upon a ppc AND linux freak that is amenable to lending a helping hand and not via remote control.

My relationship with the TP is just like that with my apache, love hate. They came so close to giving the appearance of pride, by at the same time, light years away.

I remain hopeful that HTC gets serious with snapdragon. I hope that less than three months of owning it does not reveal it was built to a price and/or released to the public which they seem to regard as their field testers and software engineers, THAT PAY THEM!

In no form or fashion will I find such a flagship concept machine acceptable if it's made of the same cheese as the TP. Zero hope for the TP2.

I DO NOT WANT; heat problems, dpad junk, lack of two cameras with flashes, lack of two good speakers, lack of practical receptacles to plug in real world accessories, a device too small to carry an appropriately capable battery go ahead add a solar cell, lack of IrDa, lack of FM radio and why not chip in a police scanner as well as a digital tv tuner, a crippled GPS, a smudge and fingerprint magnet that can't stand even being wiped off without turning the warranty voider pink, etc

just get real HTC

ring me and I'll help your design guys


btw, do put a small dob of RTV over your new TP's moisture indicator, not only does the stupid heat retaining back cover hold in heat, but nothing about that phone has any real world moisture resistance. The sweat from your pocket, not to mention just being outside with it during moist climate conditions, will turn that white/red square, pink and void your warranty.

Just peel the RTV from the indicator before returning it for a claim.

With the stock rom, my vrz TP's lock up frequently with SMS, overheat, murder batteries, and I couldn't care less about TF3D but it crushes this device. It also has the worst phone radio of any cell phone I've ever owned, pathetically weak and the phone does stupid random things and often only decides to ring about the time the incoming call is switched to voicemail

and there are other stupid things it does but it does appear that rom flashing will cure many bugs that ail this nearly superb device

[Code]

Just wanted to say thank you for all of your input. I went ahead and got the TP and so far I'm very happy with it.

TP is faster and more reliable. Miss the hard buttons from my Apache, but that will just take some adjusting. Radio seems a bit weaker but I will manage. Browsing the web is worlds different/better. Sound volume and quality is improved. Love the magnetic stylus and internal memory slot. Soft keyboard is improved. Still getting used to the hard keyboard but I like the additional keys.