HTC Desire vs. iPhone 4

**ih8xc** · 08-02-2010, 08:05 PM

My contract is up in a few weeks and I'm looking at moving to a smart phone. I currently have a Motorola Razr on a Student plan (voice only). I've been with Telus for 5 years. I will still be a student for another year (fingers crossed) so I could sign another student plan.

I am debating between the two most recently released phones (by Telus), although I am not at all opposed to switching carriers come my contract expiry.

I use Google for everything; contacts, email, calender, web-browser, etc. So an Android phone would be the logical choice it would seem. However, the popularity of the iPhone, it's vast library of apps, and most importantly it's front facing camera, as well as the possibility of buying it outright from Apple make it a compelling choice.

I very much like the idea of a front facing camera, and being able to call someone via skype. I realize this isn't really an option yet on the iPhone but I'm sure there will be "an app for that" soon enough. The front facing camera fixation I have had me considering buying an EVO 4 from the states, unlocking it, and using it up here. But from my limited knowledge of wireless frequencies/networks it seems that the EVO would only work on the CDMA network.

Is there anything else I should know or consider about these phones when trying to decide which to choose? I'd like to make the most educated decision possible because (as you can tell from my previous phone) I don't change phones often.

Thanks in advance.

GC · 08-02-2010, 08:51 PM

I made the decision on a Desire a while ago due to the fact that I have decided to no longer purchase Apple products because of their censorship/control over the app store. While the Desire doesn't have a front facing camera, the Android Market is growing fast. You can pretty much get anything you want that you can get for the iPhone.. plus you get free turn by turn directions on Android which you don't get on the iPhone.

My P4000 and Touch Pro have been pretty great, and the Desire seems to be pretty awesome as well.

You are correct that the EVO won't work on Telus's HSPA network. It would not even work on CDMA due to the fact that Telus will not allow a non-Telus device on their CDMA network.

**maddog497** · 08-02-2010, 09:13 PM

I believe the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant has a front facing camera and it is running android, ya baby.(coming to bell so it should be able to be unlocked and used on Telus)

It has been posted that it will be released on August 12th. (don't know that for fact!!!!) It is another option that would allow you to get both the camera and android.

**jasonvw** · 08-02-2010, 09:16 PM

Bells getting the Samsung Galaxy S soon, it has a front facing camera and runs android. Its a better phone then the Desire. So if you want android, thats a better way to go.

**David24** · 08-02-2010, 09:19 PM

I see no front camera listed in the specs for the Vibrant.

http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/m...=specification

**jhero** · 08-02-2010, 09:25 PM

Some Futureshops were sent demo Vibrant S models for staff to train on! Saw one yesterday!

GC · 08-02-2010, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by jasonvw

Bells getting the Samsung Galaxy S soon, it has a front facing camera and runs android. Its a better phone then the Desire. So if you want android, thats a better way to go.

The Galaxy S looks better to me as well, but Samsung's modification of the UI is rather horrid, I've heard. I've been using HTC Sense for a while so I'm used to that..

**Salinger** · 08-02-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by David24

I see no front camera listed in the specs for the Vibrant.

http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/m...=specification

That spec sheet is missing a lot of info so I wouldn't put too much stock in it. For example, it doesn't even mention what frequencies it can use, nor does it mention the 16GB internal memory in the "memory" section. It may have a front-facing camera and just not be mentioned there like many other omissions.

I was playing with a live demo unit today at Best Buy, I didn't check if it had the secondary camera. I'll try to get over again tomorrow and will report back if it's not already confirmed by then.

@GC, I too was very concerned about the "Touchwiz" UI by Samsung, but other than modifying the appearance of the apps tray and unlock screen, I didn't really notice too much was affected. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised because I too had seen previous incarnations and wasn't too impressed. It seems with the vibrant, they took a "less is more" approach, and it seems to have worked well. Of course, difficult to say 100% playing with it in the store for 10 minutes. Once you get it home, there may be things I didn't notice.

**RileyFreeman** · 08-02-2010, 10:41 PM

u can do video calls via fring. with anyone that has it. nokias, iphones, androids.

skype will definitely have support at some point in the future.

gmail has a push app thats pretty great but its like 5$.

**Salinger** · 08-03-2010, 03:31 PM

Not to further hijack this non-Vibrant thread, but just wanted to confirm, the Bell variant of the Vibrant does have a front facing camera.

Further verification here where it promotes video calling:

http://galaxys.bell.ca/?INT=MOB_shop...0100629_lm_all

**ih8xc** · 08-03-2010, 03:41 PM

I'm definitely interested in the Galaxy S Vibrant, so don't worry about the Hi-Jack.

My concern about the Galaxy S (from today's research) is the UI and the looks. I don't find it all that attractive looking. The other problem is there is no release date set (so far as I could find).

**maddog497** · 08-03-2010, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by ih8xc

I'm definitely interested in the Galaxy S Vibrant, so don't worry about the Hi-Jack.

My concern about the Galaxy S (from today's research) is the UI and the looks. I don't find it all that attractive looking. The other problem is there is no release date set (so far as I could find).

I said in an early thread August 12th but it appears to be Aug 6th accourding to Mobilesyrup http://mobilesyrup.com/2010/08/03/fa...axy-s-vibrant/

**mikewithanine** · 08-03-2010, 05:37 PM

honestly....I havent played with either...but I had 2 htc products, and like 6 or 7 replacements a long the way due to them being crap. I had the touch, and the touch pro 2, judging from those 2, no matter what would anyone convince me to get another htc. Everything about it is garbage. I hate it with a passion. so many annoying things, lags. I'm sure everyone with a tp2 would agree especially the place of the power button, u cant type u keep hittin it, and the screen goes black. or the 101 ways to send text...just garbage product