X1, Touch Pro or Touch HD?
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If you had to choose between these 3 devices, which would you choose?
That’s the question I am asking myself as I ponder which model would replace my over 2 year old ETEN Glofiish X500. The SonyEricsson XPERIA X1 was going to be my device of choice because it supported T-Mobile’s AWS 3G bands but now that we know that not to be the case, I figured that I might as well consider other models as well.
I like the X1 for it’s design and positive reviews it’s been getting. When some big names in the industry call it the best Windows Mobile device out there, it really helps to move the product. That WVGA screen resolution with a sliding keyboard are great features which I can see myself using a lot of.
Same goes for the Touch HD. Sure it does not have the same resolution but VGA is pretty good too. The screen is slightly smaller too, by 2” but not too much to make it that glaring. It’ll also be the cheapest among the 3 as I would be getting the Fuze from AT&T that retails for $499.99.
I was never considering the Touch HD initially because I wanted to get a device with a keyboard but considering that I will be doing my emails and web browsing mainly on the T-Mobile G1 (thanks to it’s 3G), the Touch HD suddenly became appealing again. It’ll be slightly more pricey than the X1 but that 3.8” WVGA screen and sleek design is definitely a look I would love to have.
So if you were me, which of the 3 would you be getting? The X1 which has both a great screen and keyboard, the cheaper but just as feature-packed Touch Pro or the sexy Touch HD?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. You might just help me make my decision a lot quicker.
Update on 11/18/08 @ 1041: According to pocketnow.com, there is a new ROM released for the Samsung Omnia that supports flick scrolling. Could this actually make the Omnia’s screen more responsive?
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Good question I have been thinking about that question myself (also including an iPhone and samsung omnia in the consideration).
At the moment I am slightly more interested in the Touch HD. I am using a TytnII (or Tilt as it is called on the other side of the ocean) with a flatfee inet abbo. I Have seen I became more dependant of browsing.
The Tytn is bought because of the GPS/Keyboard specs (at that time), but I hardly use the keyboard. Opening the phone Every time to type or whatever, just cost to much time and cannot be done with one hand (I know lazy;) ) Imagine, walking on the street, I am not opening the phone and type with two hands.
The X1 has about the same screen resolution as the HD but it is much smaller (to small???) and the thickness which resembles the TyTN II (e.g. brick). The alu covers look nice, but it did not feel pretty though. Also the design is not quite what I liked (Just like the Touch Pro it has triangles on it).
Touch PRO, great screen, but small, awefull back (not my style). This one is not an option because of the thickness and the back.
IPhone does not have an open base. You have to trick to install software which is not presented by Apple them self. Smaller screen resolution, but a very nice phone. Design my own software for me is learning a new platform and harder to install and distribute if I want. Slower proc (does not matter). Great interface and OS.
Omnia is a nice device, but it feels somewhat blockier than the Touch HD (edges) and more plastic. Interface looks great, but I tried to use it and I think it annoys pretty soon. It also looks pretty soon messy (all the widget lying around on the screen) and the default colors (I know software and settings, but..)…… I haven’t seen skins yet (haven’t looked either). The default setting is usually the best looking. And the default colours remind me of old polaroid photo’s from the late 70’s early 80’s in an album, which stood there for 20 years and are shown to you yesterday. In other words, Old fashioned, pale colours.
The Touch HD has, because of the screen, a large on screen keyboard, which seems to work great. The TF3D interface is great, also for one handed use (tested it on the TytnII via XDA developers). In combination with the screen resolution it is great. But, when testing it in the store, it stroke met the initial rendering was a bit slow (they just had it, I was the first to operate it. The salesman itself didn’t had time to look). Great mobile rendering, great resolution. But still a large device.
Big question still is the battery life of all devices.
Pro’s and cons given, I think it is gonna be the Touch HD.
That is definitely some in-depth thoughts which I am appreciative of.
I do agree that you should test the phone before purchasing it but over here on this side of the pond, that is hardly possible with because the phones we want like the Samsung Omnia and Touch HD are not easily available.
For me, the Apple iPhone is out of the question because I want a device to replace my X500 Windows Mobile.
As for the Omnia, my brief encounter with it a couple of weeks back has made me think twice about it. It looks nice but the screen was not as responsive as I had anticipated. While some may like the skin, I might just use it with the default WinMo skin (if that is even possible).
I am also thinking of getting the Touch HD instead of the X1 or Touch Pro because I will be using my G1 for emails and most probably web browsing while the WinMo will take care of all my other daily functions (PIM, navigation and testing). It’s larger screen is definitely a huge bonus but I do hope that they can speed up the response on the Touch HD too.
I too am considering these devices. I’m intending to replace my aging HTC Wizard. There’s one more device on my shortlist though and I’m surprised it’s not on yours: Samsung Omnia.
In fact, I’m leaning quite heavily towards the Omnia right now. Faster processor than any in your list, better camera, huge storage options, and reasonably priced in this high-end and expensive category.
Hi Melvyn
I did consider the Omnia as a replacement some time back, but that was until I had hands on with it. It did not feel as responsive as I thought it would be and I am not sure why. It could be that the person who owned it did not have a great screen protector on it or it could be the software he loaded on it (which I doubt since he did not know about installing software).
On paper, the Omnia does sound good and makes perfect sense but after trying it out for a bit, it didn’t feel like the one I wanted.
With the portability of the SE Panels and HTC TouchFLO to any of these devices, the issue of “which has better software?” should not be a factor in this decision. I am currently using the X1 with TouchFLO installed as a panel, which I use as the main interface. With that said, I wondered if I have made the wrong decision in getting the X1 instead of waiting for the cheaper (subsidized) AT&T Fuze. This weekend I went to test out the Touch Pro at the local AT&T store, and was re-affirmed that I had made the right decision with the X1.
A few of things that I did not like about the Touch Pro is that (1) the phone lacks a “proper” headphone jack, (2) the d-pad lacks buttons (which makes it look sleek, but is difficult to actually use the thing as a d-pad), (3) when the phone is charging and I want to use the keyboard, the cable is in the way of my right hand (very annoying).
A few things that I do not like about the X1 is that (1) the keyboard is somewhat user-hostile (Touch Pro keys feel awesome!) and (2) the raised edge collects lint (definitely not sexy).
Well, those are just my opinion of the two phones. I have not had the pleasure of playing with the Touch HD, but if a keyboard is optional for you, then (dare I say it) why not the iPhone?
True that software is not much of a factor due to the ‘portability’ of them all.
Where did you get the X1? Mind sharing it with me and how much did you pay for it?
When you say that the X1’s keyboard is user-hostile, could you elaborate? Bot comfortable to type on? Does not provide a nice feedback or some other reason?
Keyboard is optional because I would be using the G1 for text-intensive needs such as sending out emails (which is not as often as I anticipate). There are quite a number of reasons I am not getting the iPhone but primarily because I need a Windows Mobile replacement. Also, the iPhone lacks a great navigation application which is one of my primary use.
For the omnia; I Also had the feeling the response was not quite as good as expected. It was my phone, until I touched it, just like Tariq had.
The X1 also was on my list, but for surfing the web and managing my 4 mail accounts, I want a bigger screen. Keyboard is an optional thingy I discovered after using a TytnII for quite some time. And the main set back (although the SE is slimmer than a touch pro) is the thickness of a phone with a keyboard.
So I am still in the desciscion the answering the Apple love
and choose an IPhone (less screen, other software, Huge apple dictorial descissions on what I can put on the phone, but great OS) or the Touch HD (great screen, lots of software, slow phone application (hmmm it should be the main function) but underneath still the sloppy old WM interface)
All in all I think I am going to buy an HD.
@peccavi:
“1) the phone lacks a “proper” headphone jack, ”
Thouch HD has a normal Jack (HTC is learning ;))
“(2) the d-pad lacks buttons (which makes it look sleek, but is difficult to actually use the thing as a d-pad)”
Indeed the HD is also lacking the D-Pad
“(3) when the phone is charging and I want to use the keyboard, the cable is in the way of my right hand (very annoying).”
HD has no keyboard (only onscreen ;))
After having owned an X800 for almost a year, I have an Omnia 16GB now (main reason for the change is that I had to send the X800 for repair -joystick broke- and it would take 2 months to get it back… too much for me). Now I have sold the X800…
I have to say that I am happier with the Omnia… I feel it is more responsive (note that I don’t use the useless Widgets, but one of the included Today plugins, Samsung Today 2). Without needing a stylus I can do everything with my fingers! What I like as well is that Samsung has included quite a lot of useful applications (not like the ones you have in the Eten devices), so you need to buy (and reinstall) less additional software. Battery life is very good if you have a newer ROM (which is still being improved).
The WQVGA screen allows for a bunch of info to be shown in one time. Opera is included and working fine. The device is as stable as I have ever had… definitely more stable than the X800 or my previous Axim x51v. Call quality is excellent. Main speaker is same as phone speaker, so no need for Skype switchers and similar stuff.
The camera is pretty good, even though it looks like the quality has somehow dropped in the latest ROMs… but I am confident they will improve that again.
The only 2 things the X800 was better is the GPS (more sensitive, but the one in the Omnia is for sure good enough), and the screen resolution (but WQVGA is not that bad and is less resource intensive!).
Summarizing… I am very happy with my Omnia!
I have been a smartphone/PDA user for many years and have done a great deal of research on these wonderful “gadgets”. My recommendation to anyone launching themself into this techno world would be to look long and hard at the HTC Touch Pro. Not only is it a wonderful phone but its many other programs, including Windows Office Mobile are a wonderful addition to anyones techno life. It may seem a little difficult at first, but then so did the computer your sitting in front of at this very minute. Brave the world of HTC and get to know this wonderful smart phone. Youll find that with just a little practice and some experimentation you cant go wrong. Be sure to back the phone up to your pc before beginning your play time. That way, if you do find youve created a big ouwie, you can effortlessly restore the phone and change the error you created. Please dont turn your head as a result of the price tag. If your a serious user youll be glad to make the extra financial investment in this wonderful tool. Oh, by the way buisness men and women, this is a must for staying connected, looking professional and keeping track of all the importaint things youll need everyday, and if you must make that presentation at the board meeting it has a built in presentation maker that works great with Office (both mobile and PC versions) that can set it up with your input. Then connect your phone effortlessly with the presenter in the board room and watch them all ohhh and ahhh at your expertice. Have fun and remember, “the difficult we do today, the impossible takes a little longer”.
i was having a dilemma today choosing between the x1 and htc touch hd.. i think both of them r expensive so i was going to get the x1 because it’s slightly cheaper.. but when i had both phones on my hands, the htc hd looks a lot better.. im always jealous of the people who has a keyboard function on their phones.. i was worrying if i would regret getting the HTC HD rather than the sony ericsson X1.. i dont want to miss out the slided-out keyboard function.. but the typing feature on the HTC touch HD isnt bad too..i think the applications, the camera, and the sound on the HTC touch hd is better than the sony ericsson xperia x1.. i love the big screen.. the videos look so nice playing on the htc hd.. even tho the HTC touch HD is a bit too costy but it’s worth it, trust me!