Android Thread: Phones / Apps / Mods

akshay_b · 17th June 2010, 20:57

• Note from Mod: The Team-BHP Apps for Android can be found at this link.

Hey guys,

My w910i died and i'm on a look out for a nice phone within 15 grands, I'm also smitten by the android bug which makes me look down upon the Symbain, I came across

Samsung i5700 spicia,
SE xperia mini
nokia X6.

Among which liked the Samsung spicia untill i found out that it doesn't have FM :S, Ruled out xperia mini because of its tiny screen, X6 was also ruled out because of the 18th century symbain S60.

I was wondering if i should wait for new android phones or pick up something out there? Or should i increase my budget and buy something else?

Thanks

wanderluster · 18th June 2010, 01:03

Akshay - why not the Xperia X10 - its being upgraded to android 2.1 - it's by far the best android in the market. Or the xperia mini pro is another good option.

devarshi84 · 18th June 2010, 01:55

Check out the actual google phone. It comes with some nice circus tricks built in such as live wallpapers.

ishaanranderia · 18th June 2010, 02:47

HTC makes really good android phones and it's sense UI is one of the best around (in fact the google phone i.e. the nexus one is made by HTC) check out the HTC lengend (which looks fantastic) and desire they are really good. Android is really turning out to be great, X10 will be updated to 2.1 in Q3 but 2.2 might take forever, whereas HTC phones (atleast Desire Incredible etc) will get 2.2 in Q3, and Android 2.2 has many worthwhile features that 2.1 doesn't.

muni · 18th June 2010, 08:25

Android is evolving fast and version upgradability of existing phones is still a big problem. Meaning you buy a phone now and you cant upgrade to the latest firmware after less than an year.

2.2 Froyo is a worthy upgarde worth waiting for. It might be out in a couple of months.

If you want to buy now, Galaxy Spica 2.1 is more VFM.

Newpunter · 18th June 2010, 11:27

If you want to buy the ultimate Android Phone, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S. It has 4" Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor and the best GPU in the market, 5MP camera with HD video recording and plays back Divx format too ( the only android phone that can do this directly ) . It runs Android 2.1 currently and will be updated to 2.2 by the end of the year. It has been recently launched in India and the cost is around 31K. For the features it offers, i think the price is quite reasonable. The only drawback being it doesn't have a flash with the camera
Other phones you could check are the Sony Ericcson Xperia X10. The only drawback being that it currently runs Android 1.6 and sony has said it will be updated to 2.1 only by the end of the year ( no word of 2.2 yet ). Also, no multi touch support and currently displays only 65K colours due to Android 1.6 limitation.
If you want a VFM phone , then the Galaxy Spica is the one for you. The original Galaxy would also have been good but Samsung did not update it to Android 2.1, so it still runs on 1.5 .
Motorola Milestone is another good one, especially if you prefer a physical QWERTY keyboard.

srishiva · 18th June 2010, 11:44

One reason why Android would be good is that you could upgrade software. Now this is not easy currently. Why do you really need Android when you should be looking at features and app availability? Cant wait for Windows Phone?

akshay_b · 18th June 2010, 12:57

Thank you all for the suggestions,
I guess haven't notice my max budget, I have 15k in hand and can extend to 1-2k more

Quote:

Originally Posted by devarshi84

Check out the actual google phone. It comes with some nice circus tricks built in such as live wallpapers.

Nexus one, awesome phone but sells for 28k in the grey market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishaanranderia

HTC makes really good android phones and it's sense UI is one of the best around (in fact the google phone i.e. the nexus one is made by HTC) check out the HTC lengend (which looks fantastic) and desire they are really good. Android is really turning out to be great, X10 will be updated to 2.1 in Q3 but 2.2 might take forever, whereas HTC phones (atleast Desire Incredible etc) will get 2.2 in Q3, and Android 2.2 has many worthwhile features that 2.1 doesn't.

Nexus one, HTC desire will cost more than 25k! My budget is is within 17k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newpunter

If you want to buy the ultimate Android Phone, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S. It has 4" Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor and the best GPU in the market, 5MP camera with HD video recording and plays back Divx format too ( the only android phone that can do this directly ) . It runs Android 2.1 currently and will be updated to 2.2 by the end of the year. It has been recently launched in India and the cost is around 31K. For the features it offers, i think the price is quite reasonable. The only drawback being it doesn't have a flash with the camera
Other phones you could check are the Sony Ericcson Xperia X10. The only drawback being that it currently runs Android 1.6 and sony has said it will be updated to 2.1 only by the end of the year ( no word of 2.2 yet ). Also, no multi touch support and currently displays only 65K colours due to Android 1.6 limitation.
If you want a VFM phone , then the Galaxy Spica is the one for you. The original Galaxy would also have been good but Samsung did not update it to Android 2.1, so it still runs on 1.5 .
Motorola Milestone is another good one, especially if you prefer a physical QWERTY keyboard.

Galaxy X is no doubt the best android phone in the market but as i said i'll try sticking within the budget, Xperia x10 doesn't have radio.
I think the Spica is a nice VFM but this doesn't have FM either, I can sacrifice the FM but availability of this phone is a big issue

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

One reason why Android would be good is that you could upgrade software. Now this is not easy currently. Why do you really need Android when you should be looking at features and app availability? Cant wait for Windows Phone?

Is it difficult to upgrade android software to a newer version?
A windows phone is built for business needs and i don't really require word processor and email and stuff, I'm still a student and i need music, video and photo capability.

ampere · 18th June 2010, 14:36

My only crib about all the Android phones is their battery life. Very bad esp. HTC. Folks can comment.

I am not sure about the Milestone and Galaxy products.

But if you personally ask me the best VFM under 15K would still be an E71.
Has every thing that you need (if you are OK with a 3MP camera) and has great battery life 1500mAh. All this if you are not a stickler for touch screen. I was hell bent on buying an Android phone 3 weeks back, but the basic feature that I was looking for (Wifi/GPS/Mail (MS-Active Sync) was not available in any phone under 15K. I guess there were some HTC models (Windows based) but I was not interested.

Also Nokia with OVI maps (now available for E71), made me look at them more closely and I finally ended up with an E71. Sold off my previous phone for 3K and got an E71 at an extra 10K! That was real VFM for me.

I take all the points towards Android (Even I wanted one), but still an all-in-one package with good battery is some time in coming.

Newpunter · 18th June 2010, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay_b

Is it difficult to upgrade android software to a newer version?

The problem is that manufacturers install their own UI on top of Android. So most of the phones do not run plain Android. That is the reason we have to wait for the manufacturers to release their updates. This is the reason Samsung Galaxy is still running 1.5 and Xperia is running 1.6 with no news of an update to 2.2 .

However, if you are adventurous you can directly flash your phone with stock Android and you will be able to enjoy the latest version.

I have also heard that Samsung is planning to launch a cheap Android phone based on the Corby platform, so maybe that could be the phone for you

. No idea when it will be launched though.

echo77 · 18th June 2010, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay_b

I was wondering if i should wait for new android phones or pick up something out there? Or should i increase my budget and buy something else?

The question to ask yourself: Do you really need one?

ashthedivx · 18th June 2010, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newpunter

The problem is that manufacturers install their own UI on top of Android. So most of the phones do not run plain Android. That is the reason we have to wait for the manufacturers to release their updates. This is the reason Samsung Galaxy is still running 1.5 and Xperia is running 1.6 with no news of an update to 2.2 .
...
I have also heard that Samsung is planning to launch a cheap Android phone based on the Corby platform, so maybe that could be the phone for you

. No idea when it will be launched though.

a) 2.1 updates are very well available at Samsung Service Centers

b) Corby Android is to be launched in next quarter.

anujmishra · 18th June 2010, 15:22

Check Galaxy-S from Samsung. It is Samsung's latest Android Offering and soon will be available in India too.

It has got wonderful review from all of the world. Check website of GSMArena too

humans · 18th June 2010, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay_b

Hey guys,

My w910i died and i'm on a look out for a nice phone within 15 grands, -------
Samsung i5700 spicia,
SE xperia mini
nokia X6.

----------------------Thanks

Also check out Samsung S5620 called Monte, this is a good phone with touch screen and every feature you can think of GPS, Wifi, 3.2 MP camera, 3G , FM recording, etc. But this is based on Samsung own BADA OS, but I must say this is not bad either.

myavu · 18th June 2010, 15:35

My current phone is a 3.5 year old W810i. Still working very fine with good battery backup. My MTNL SIM is 3G connection So need a upgrade immediately. I use to browse using Wify's W760i but at times it end up in fights. I had visited Sony World, Janpath and had real demo on Vivaz and Xperia X10 Mini. Prices are 23000 and 15000 respectively. I liked both handsets. X10 mini is small (I liked it)but it is very very fast. There are lots of free applications to download. Not decided yet on purchasing. I have to check X10 mini Pro before final decision. Both mini and mini pro can be upgraded to Android 2.1 by late October 2010.

Cheers!

17th June 2010, 20:57	#1
akshay_b BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 419 Thanked: 363 Times	Android Thread: Phones / Apps / Mods • Note from Mod: The Team-BHP Apps for Android can be found at this link. Hey guys, My w910i died and i'm on a look out for a nice phone within 15 grands, I'm also smitten by the android bug which makes me look down upon the Symbain, I came across Samsung i5700 spicia, SE xperia mini nokia X6. Among which liked the Samsung spicia untill i found out that it doesn't have FM :S, Ruled out xperia mini because of its tiny screen, X6 was also ruled out because of the 18th century symbain S60. I was wondering if i should wait for new android phones or pick up something out there? Or should i increase my budget and buy something else? Thanks Last edited by GTO : 11th May 2011 at 17:30. Reason: Adding link to our App :)
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 01:03	#2
wanderluster BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 105 Thanked: 20 Times	Akshay - why not the Xperia X10 - its being upgraded to android 2.1 - it's by far the best android in the market. Or the xperia mini pro is another good option.
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 01:55	#3
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 208 Times View My Garage	Check out the actual google phone. It comes with some nice circus tricks built in such as live wallpapers.
	(1) Thanks

18th June 2010, 02:47	#4
ishaanranderia BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 164 Thanked: 56 Times	HTC makes really good android phones and it's sense UI is one of the best around (in fact the google phone i.e. the nexus one is made by HTC) check out the HTC lengend (which looks fantastic) and desire they are really good. Android is really turning out to be great, X10 will be updated to 2.1 in Q3 but 2.2 might take forever, whereas HTC phones (atleast Desire Incredible etc) will get 2.2 in Q3, and Android 2.2 has many worthwhile features that 2.1 doesn't.
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 08:25	#5
muni BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 606 Thanked: 210 Times View My Garage	Android is evolving fast and version upgradability of existing phones is still a big problem. Meaning you buy a phone now and you cant upgrade to the latest firmware after less than an year. 2.2 Froyo is a worthy upgarde worth waiting for. It might be out in a couple of months. If you want to buy now, Galaxy Spica 2.1 is more VFM.
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 11:27	#6
Newpunter BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 736 Thanked: 261 Times	If you want to buy the ultimate Android Phone, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S. It has 4" Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz processor and the best GPU in the market, 5MP camera with HD video recording and plays back Divx format too ( the only android phone that can do this directly ) . It runs Android 2.1 currently and will be updated to 2.2 by the end of the year. It has been recently launched in India and the cost is around 31K. For the features it offers, i think the price is quite reasonable. The only drawback being it doesn't have a flash with the camera Other phones you could check are the Sony Ericcson Xperia X10. The only drawback being that it currently runs Android 1.6 and sony has said it will be updated to 2.1 only by the end of the year ( no word of 2.2 yet ). Also, no multi touch support and currently displays only 65K colours due to Android 1.6 limitation. If you want a VFM phone , then the Galaxy Spica is the one for you. The original Galaxy would also have been good but Samsung did not update it to Android 2.1, so it still runs on 1.5 . Motorola Milestone is another good one, especially if you prefer a physical QWERTY keyboard.
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 11:44	#7
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,370 Thanked: 2,250 Times	One reason why Android would be good is that you could upgrade software. Now this is not easy currently. Why do you really need Android when you should be looking at features and app availability? Cant wait for Windows Phone?
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 14:36	#9
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,445 Thanked: 12,042 Times View My Garage	My only crib about all the Android phones is their battery life. Very bad esp. HTC. Folks can comment. I am not sure about the Milestone and Galaxy products. But if you personally ask me the best VFM under 15K would still be an E71. Has every thing that you need (if you are OK with a 3MP camera) and has great battery life 1500mAh. All this if you are not a stickler for touch screen. I was hell bent on buying an Android phone 3 weeks back, but the basic feature that I was looking for (Wifi/GPS/Mail (MS-Active Sync) was not available in any phone under 15K. I guess there were some HTC models (Windows based) but I was not interested. Also Nokia with OVI maps (now available for E71), made me look at them more closely and I finally ended up with an E71. Sold off my previous phone for 3K and got an E71 at an extra 10K! That was real VFM for me. I take all the points towards Android (Even I wanted one), but still an all-in-one package with good battery is some time in coming. Last edited by ampere : 18th June 2010 at 14:40.
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 15:22	#13
anujmishra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,287 Thanked: 478 Times View My Garage	Check Galaxy-S from Samsung. It is Samsung's latest Android Offering and soon will be available in India too. It has got wonderful review from all of the world. Check website of GSMArena too
	() Thanks

18th June 2010, 15:35	#15
myavu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi - Kochi Posts: 1,438 Thanked: 1,485 Times	My current phone is a 3.5 year old W810i. Still working very fine with good battery backup. My MTNL SIM is 3G connection So need a upgrade immediately. I use to browse using Wify's W760i but at times it end up in fights. I had visited Sony World, Janpath and had real demo on Vivaz and Xperia X10 Mini. Prices are 23000 and 15000 respectively. I liked both handsets. X10 mini is small (I liked it)but it is very very fast. There are lots of free applications to download. Not decided yet on purchasing. I have to check X10 mini Pro before final decision. Both mini and mini pro can be upgraded to Android 2.1 by late October 2010. Cheers! Last edited by myavu : 18th June 2010 at 15:37.
	() Thanks

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