Will we ever get a small Verizon Android again? (w/ 4G)

[ChicagoJay]

My contract on my Droid Eris ran out at the end of December. I liked everything about the phone except it is a little slow. It needs to be replaced now. I keep waiting for a small 4G droid to come out, but everything is like a miniature pocket TV these days. Now if you like that, more power to ya. I personally don't. After waiting two months for one to come out, I am getting frustrated. I really wanted a small android 4G, but I am to the point of getting a *gasp* iphone 4s. Jeeeez, I never imagined I would even say that. I go by and peruse the Verizon store every once in a while, and I have asked why there isn't one. One rep (whose technical expertise seemed suspect) told me they have to be big for 4G. I just don't believe it.

So I guess my main question is is there even a small droid 4G on the horizon? Do they just think that no one wants one?

thanks!

[Steveanderson13]

To many sales people get caught up in the hype of large screens and forget to do their job of helping you but Phonearena.com is a nice way to look. Here's a link to the Verizon androids:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/carriers/Verizon/?filter_class[]=1223&filter_feat[]=1&filter_os[]=1292

I think you would like the HTC Rhyme; LG Vortex is also small. I would read the reviews on Verizon's website or elsewhere. They have both been out for a while and the stores should have them for a hands-on. Looks like they are not 4g but I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor because there are pros and cons. Your hands-on should give you enough info to decide.

[stargazer424]

I have the same problem. I have the HTC Incredible 1 and I just started looking into a replacement and all of the new phones are huge. Even the RAZR which is supper thin is still 5.15 x 2.71 compared to my Inc, which is 4.63 x 2.30.

I guess they figure we want big screens so we can watch movies on them, but if I am going to watch a movie, I'll watch it on my 40" tv at home. Not on a 4.3" phone.

And the latest abomination is the Samsung Galaxy Note (5.78 x 3.27 x 0.38) a 5.3 in screen...and its a phone, not a tablet...

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Sam...TE_id6779/size

I hate to say it but apple does have it right when it comes to phone size. I'm hoping for a new HTC Incredible 3 that is the same size as the 1 or 2.

[ChicagoJay]

Thanks for the link Steve. I had been looking through Verizon's site for specs, but that site is better. I have seen the rhyme. I don't like purple, and I want a dual core proc.

What are the cons of 4G? Maybe I need to rethink that as a priority. Is it really faster for basic surfing in a good reception area? I don't stream video or anything.

stargazer, I got bad news for ya on the Incredible 3. 4.3" screen supposedly
http://www.geeksailor.com/htc-droid-...-3-specs-pics/

[Vatothe0]

web browsing would be a bit faster but the main advantage of 4g is in downloading large amounts of data at a time for things like streaming video, which you would probably want a larger screen for which is why all the devices seem to have larger screens.

If all you want it for is facebook and pandora, 3g is fine.

[Steveanderson13]

all of the new phones are huge.

Not all, just the most promoted (most expensive)

And the latest abomination is the Samsung Galaxy Note (5.78 x 3.27 x 0.38) a 5.3 in screen...and its a phone, not a tablet...

Cant wait for it on Verizon.

I hate to say it but apple does have it right when it comes to phone size.

Usage changes everything. Even women.

[Steveanderson13]

Thanks for the link Steve. I had been looking through Verizon's site for specs, but that site is better. I have seen the rhyme. I don't like purple, and I want a dual core proc.

What are the cons of 4G? Maybe I need to rethink that as a priority. Is it really faster for basic surfing in a good reception area? I don't stream video or anything.

I wouldnt get too hung up on any one spec, whether 4g or dual-core (though I did on both). The Eris is pretty slow so anything should be an improvement. The dual-core should help your battery life, however; 4g will kill it. Your phone arena specs will give battery times (for comparison only, not real world). Any corporate store should have in stock all the phones on the phonearena page. Make a list of what you like from there, then do your hands- on in the store, then read the reviews for potential problems. This should give you a satisfactory phone.

I have the 4g Bionic and leave the 4g off to save battery (I travel so it would always be searching and/or weak). I do think the dual-core helps browsing. I used NFL Mobile on 3g to watch the playoffs; the picture wasn't great but I have no idea whether that made a difference. Like vatheteo said, primary 4g improvement would be for downloading a movie (at least for now) Streaming on 3g works fine for me.

[Steveanderson13]

On phonearena page, you can first sort by user rating, then filter those results. Incredible 2 and Vortex are in the top 15.

Also highly rated is the Windows Trophy (nearly a year old, so may be replaced soon; but very good deal). I dont think it is big. Good deals on iphone 4, too. (Online).

[k13]

4" is starting to look really small.

Mostly likely go bigger next time.

[seatown311]

I have been echoing the same thing for ever it seems like. phones just keep getting bigger and bigger. the lte radio is one factor, the battery needed to power it is another. the screen size is irrelevant in my opinion as you never get a full screen (less the galnex) but more importantly, the battery cant last a day of general phone usage let alone trying to watch a movie or game.

I have the incredible 1 and love it. I bought the galnex on day one and thought I could live with the size but after you put a case on it, it's like trying to shove a dinner plate in your pocket. Im a guy who likes small phones like the INC1 or first gen galaxy fascinate form factors. Personally, I didnt see that much difference in speeds from the 3g to 4g in most cases, in fact, the 4g coverage is so limited, I was in 3g most of the time anyway. needless to say, i returned to the INC1 after a week.

I too loath the Iphone more specifically itunes. I hope they come out with another cool 3.8-4" screen android soon, I have been ready to trade up for like 2 years.

[tjmonkey15]

I think the biggest reason for the lack of variation in screen size of 4G phones is battery life. Current 4G radios suck down a lot of battery, so those phones need ginormous batteries. Once the 4G technology gets better/more efficient (and/or battery tech improves), I think 4G phones will continue to be (comparatively) huge slabs.

[Steveanderson13]

Yeah, I really like the Rhyme size, but it only comes in purple. Is the inc2 same size as 1?

[zapjb]

After Rooting & using a CM7 ROM my Eris was running fast. I traded up to an Incredible for the bigger screen only.

[bsweetness]

Yeah, I really like the Rhyme size, but it only comes in purple. Is the inc2 same size as 1?

No. The Incredible 2 has a slightly larger 4" screen. Many people who don't like phones with large screens consider 4" to be the sweet spot for overall usability though. Large enough to make everything a little easier, but not overwhelmingly so. The Incredible 4G is on the horizon (rumors point to a release sometime in April, which would make sense given the release dates of the Incredible and the Incredible 2). However, leaked photos and information indicate it will have a 4.3" screen. So don't bank on the new Incredible fitting your desire for a smaller screen.

The 4G phones with the smallest screens currently on Verizon all have 4" screens - the Droid 4, the Samsung Stratosphere, and the Pantech Breakout. The Stratosphere and the Breakout have specs that are well behind the curve, but if you like a physical keyboard, the Droid 4 has the best around along with fairly up-to-date specs.

High-end phones with smaller screens are a tough sell these days. I think it's unlikely that we'll really see much of anything with decent specs and 4G with a screen below 4" in the near future. Personally, I love larger screens. It makes everything much easier and much more enjoyable. But I understand feeling left behind with what you prefer in a phone in order for the masses to be catered to. I love a physical keyboard, but they just don't really make any seriously high-end phones with physical keyboards anymore. There's always major trade offs to have one. The Droid 4 is certainly decent, but it's also lacking a lot in comparison to something like the Galaxy Nexus. So, while I do like larger screens, I feel the frustration with not having much of a choice for your preferences in the design of a phone.

[Zappy]

I really dislike the larger phones. If Apple comes out with a 4G iPhone that is about the same size as the current iPhone I'll probably switch from my trusty Droids. I don't want anything larger than the Droid 2. The Droid 4 is much too large.