iPhone 4 v EVO 4G initial impressions

[evldave]

ok, so I wanted to give a brief recap of the iPhone 4 and EVO 4G.

My wife got the iPhone 4 the day it came out (she was one of the lucky 600k that actually got the upgrade and didn't get her order cancelled like her sister). She upgraded from a jailbroken 3Gs.

My daughter's bf got the EVO 4G at almost the same time. He upgraded from a jailbroken 3G. We live near Portland, Oregon, so there is decent 4G coverage.

Good for the iPhone:

• Wow, nice display. You have to see it in person, bright, clear, really high quality, and screen seems indestructible.
• Smoking fast compared to the 3Gs. Multitasking is quick to switch.
• Smaller design for the case, much thinner.
• Much better battery life than the 3Gs
• "Yes I am cooler than you because I have the new iPhone"

Bad for the iPhone:

• The reception issues you've heard about are real and very bad. 2 fingers on the outside band pretty much kills the reception. Don't even think about sending a MMS and putting it in your pocket (it won't send the picture until it's out in your hand).
• Wifi connectivity sucks. Sitting 15 from brand new N router and it drops signal every time you put in standby, and sometimes when you put it in your pocket (this did not happen w/3Gs).
• Size of phone and slick back panel (it's glass) makes it a real drop magnet. Be careful.
• No decent cases out yet.
• Still no jailbreaks (yet)
• AT&T YMMV
• "Yes I am cooler than you because I have the new iPhone...what was that? I couldn't hear you I was actually holding my phone"

Good for the EVO:

• Huge screen. Big. Giant. Screen.
• Smoking fast processor. App switching is wow fast.
• 4G rocks! ...when you can get a signal, which is most of the time around here (haha!)
• Androis is a sweet OS.
• Google maps w/driving directions rocks.
• "Hey it's an EVO, waaaay better than an iPhone!"

Bad for the EVO:

• Huge screen. Big. Giant. Screen. Yeah, I love big screens and will definitely not be getting a 4.3"+ screen for my next cell phone.
• If you run multiple apps, the speed slows a lot and the phone gets hot. Very hot.
• Too big for a back pocket if you are into that sort of thing. Will not be comfortable in front pocket or shirt pocket. Bring a backpack.
• Sprint YMMV

The winner?

Put an EVO in a case the size of the iPhone and you have a winner. Oh yeah, and upgrade the antenna too.

EVO 4G (barely, and mostly because of the iPhone antenna/reception issues)

 

[haven]

If size is the major issue against the Evo 4G, consider the Samsung Epic 4G, which will appear on the Sprint network soon. Features include 1 GHz processor, 4 inch AMOLED display, video chat via front-facing camera, QWERTY slider keyboard, Android 2.1. You can use the Epic 4G as a 3G or 4G hotspot for up to 8 other devices.

The Epic 4G looks to be the same phone as the Samsung Galaxy S Pro. Don't want a slider keyboard? Then watch for the Galaxy S.

 

[chrismc]

I just read about the Epic earlier today and am stoked. I have a Hero now, and the one thing that frustrates me to no end is the on-screen keyboard. I'd love a well-spec'd Android slider.

 

[dzzz]

The battery on the EVO doesn't last a day, even if you don't talk. That was the deal killer for me.

 

[nwoods]

Bad for the iPhone:

• The reception issues you've heard about are real and very bad. 2 fingers on the outside band pretty much kills the reception. Don't even think about sending a MMS and putting it in your pocket (it won't send the picture until it's out in your hand).
• Wifi connectivity sucks. Sitting 15 from brand new N router and it drops signal every time you put in standby, and sometimes when you put it in your pocket (this did not happen w/3Gs).
• Still no jailbreaks (yet)

Interesting, there is a hack for iOS4 already, but only for the 3G and 3Gs versions, not the 4th generation unit...yet:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...jailbreak_of_ios_4_for_apples_iphone_3gs.html

As for the death grip, there is a new software build that might help with the sensitivity issues, but you will still want a case to solve the underlying (pun intended!) issue permanently: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/25/death_grip_hysteria_may_end_monday_with_ios_4_01.html

 

[evldave]

Interesting, there is a hack for iOS4 already, but only for the 3G and 3Gs versions, not the 4th generation unit...yet:
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...jailbreak_of_ios_4_for_apples_iphone_3gs.html

As for the death grip, there is a new software build that might help with the sensitivity issues, but you will still want a case to solve the underlying (pun intended!) issue permanently: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/25/death_grip_hysteria_may_end_monday_with_ios_4_01.html

Yeah the jailbreak works on the older 3.1.2 OS (i think).

As for cases, we have a case, and it helps a little with the reception, but doesn't help that the overall reception is really poor (ie in the pocket). I didn't know about the new software build, gonna have to take a look at it, although after seeing the new EVO update bricking phones today, I think we'll hold off for a few days before we install any 'hey lets just fix this real quick and not beta test it at all' fixes

 

[iigs]

The battery on the EVO doesn't last a day, even if you don't talk. That was the deal killer for me.

I have an Evo. My experience is that it's bad but not as bad as it's made out to be.

I'm paranoid about running out of battery, and irritated by the GPS notification flickering all of the time, so I turned GPS, wifi, and 4g off. It will go four hours without any indicated drop in battery. I bet sitting dead idle with decent coverage mine will go two days.

I use it for about an hour per day in data mode (Facebook / browsing over lunch break) and by the end of the day it's down to about half battery.

Honestly, for my needs and correcting for the fact that it's a little bit small, it would be fully usable as a desktop/laptop replacement. However, if you use it like a laptop you're going to get laptop battery life out of it. Treat it like a phone (switch off stuff you don't need and keep the backlight off as much as possible) and you'll get tolerable phone life out of it.

 

[matt s]

I am disappointed that the iphone 4 took a step backwards on something so fundamental as reception.

My 3g is getting a little funky (two years of hard use abuse and dropping) and I was thinking of upgrading. Now I will likely wait until this has been addressed. The Steve Jobs "Just don't hold it that way" just does not cut it.

 

[haven]

The Samsung Galaxy S Android phone will be offered by four USA cell phone carriers. Each will have a unique name:
AT&T -- Captivate
Sprint -- Epic 4G
Verizon -- Fascinate
T-Mobile -- Vibrant

These should appear in the next month or two. Sprint is the only carrier with a 4G network so far, but the others are working on it. No word if all four networks will offer the Galaxy S Pro model with slide-out keyboard.

 

[evldave]

The Samsung Galaxy S Android phone will be offered by four USA cell phone carriers. Each will have a unique name:
AT&T -- Captivate
Sprint -- Epic 4G
Verizon -- Fascinate
T-Mobile -- Vibrant

These should appear in the next month or two. Sprint is the only carrier with a 4G network so far, but the others are working on it. No word if all four networks will offer the Galaxy S Pro model with slide-out keyboard.

Also check front-facing camera and camera flash differences. Some may/may not have one/both of these features. I'm glad ATT is finally coming out with a top-end Android phone, even if it ends up missing the front camera or flash. Good alternative to the iPhone if you are locked into ATT like I am...

 

[dzzz]

I am disappointed that the iphone 4 took a step backwards on something so fundamental as reception.

My 3g is getting a little funky (two years of hard use abuse and dropping) and I was thinking of upgrading. Now I will likely wait until this has been addressed. The Steve Jobs "Just don't hold it that way" just does not cut it.

I have a 3g, ordered the 4. My battery is about gone on the 3g, which I guess is part of apples plan.
I doubt the iphone 4 reception is worse. That would be heavily tested. I guess I will find out.

 

[evldave]

I am disappointed that the iphone 4 took a step backwards on something so fundamental as reception.

My 3g is getting a little funky (two years of hard use abuse and dropping) and I was thinking of upgrading. Now I will likely wait until this has been addressed. The Steve Jobs "Just don't hold it that way" just does not cut it.

I think that's a good idea...even with a case, my wife's iPhone is horrible...I keep hearing 'wifi just died' so much I'm about to just shut down the wireless router to not have to hear that anymore!

And idk if you are a jailbreaker or not, but I would suggest anyone w/a jailbroken 3Gs wait until there's a solid iOS4 jailbreak...there are so many interface deficiencies in the stock iOS4 interface you don't really think of until you have a customizable interface.

 

[TJDIV]

Bring a backpack.

Can I put it in a camo-fannypack?

 

[Rev]

I will be picking up a Samsung Galaxy S in August. Seems like a great unit on par with the Evo and iPhone, but without the huge size of the Evo at 4"

 

[Sangster]

the only thing I don't like about the Galaxy S vs the EVO is the slide out keyboard. Makes me feel like a teenager when I slide it out and type out a text. my current Touch Pro has it and I hate it. For that reason alone I'm going to get the EVO.