HTC Desire Z - user opinions and reviews
- Anonymous
- M}b
Did any of you try multiple phones at once?
Today I compared various Android phones: (among others) HTC Desire, Desire Z, Samsung Galaxy S, SE Experia X10 Mini Pro and Nokia C3, C6, N8, E71, E72, BlackBerry Torch, 9700, 8520, Motorola Droid in search for a decent software and/or hardware keyboard, comparable to the 7 year old BB I use daily.
Conclusion: no such keyboard is available (anymore). The only software keyboard that worked for me (sort of) was in the Desire Z (the hardware keyboard is just as bad as all the others, almost no pressure point, upper key row too close to the screen body). The best hardware keyboard I found on the Blackberry Curve 8520 because of the space between the keys. Second comes Experia X10 Mini Pro, problem only being the upper keys being too close to the screen body.
I also liked the keyboard on the Motorola Droid, but the security thumb reader on the right made it difficult to hold and type at the same time. The keyboard on the Google G1 works best for me. The Droid II will probably come closest to the G1 layout.
And what about Android, Blackberry or Nokia OS? Android and Apple are just the same to me when you consider user experience. The Blackberry is very fast if you only want to use your thumb for browsing (with phone in one hand). BB is much faster than the HTC Android thumb dials. The NOKIA interface looks (and feels) like you are back in the Middle Ages. The N8 software keyboard is very disappointing (and the HDMI output to flatscreen could be better too).
Another nice thing about the Desire Z was the screen. I found it less glaring than that of the Galaxy S. Because of the price of the Desire Z, and the disappointing keyboard, I would not go for this phone right now (although everything else, like the Android 2.2 and the body quality, is TOP)
My advice if you want to go for the best of several worlds, and a hardware keyboard, wait for the Motorola Droid II (with the promise of an excellent keyboard and Android 2.2), or the Nokia E7 if you insist on the Symbian experience but want a decent hardware keyboard and good camera (8 MP is just as good as 12 MP if you don't have optical zoom).
Good luck with your choices!
- Stuntman
- 4A$
Anonymous, 19 Nov 2010those are very limited browsers for mobile devices.
Keep in mind that N900 is not much a c... moreI primarily use my Desire Z for internet browsing. The browsing experience is great. The only reason for me to choose a PC over the Desire Z is if I plan to do a lot of typing. There is no web site that I need a PC to view over the Desire Z.
I find that the zoom and font size I have it set at allows me to comfortably see the site without needing to zoom most of the time. If I do need to zoom, the great feature of the D Z browser is it automatically wraps the text so you do not need to horizontally scroll. Pinch zoom is always featured, but I can go for days without needing it.
- Anonymous
- m7I
Anonymous, 18 Nov 2010Solution: Use a different browser. Dolphin browser is what I use. I hear Opera also came out w... morethose are very limited browsers for mobile devices.
Keep in mind that N900 is not much a cellfone, its more an internet tablet, and its browser is based on firefox, not any mobile limited functionality. Its hard to use "mobile browsers" after getting used to having PC-like internet. Be sure that N900 users are not easy to impress when it comes to webbrowsing, we are spoiled by the best.
- Anonymous
- QZ4
Ive had the phone for just over a week now and these are the things I've noticed.
Good.
1. Extremely fast, even with a ton of apps running.
2. Hinge seems very sturdy but still moves easily.
3. I have fat fingers and the top row of the keyboard has enough space to press easily I don't know what people are talking about who say otherwise.
4. Touch screen is very accurate.
Badish
1. Headphones jack is in a bad place, when listening to music it pushes your hand further away making it a bit harder to type.
2. Hitting the fn key for numbers sucks.
3. Screen display uses a lot of power, Daily charging required.
- Anonymous
- 4AA
Anonymous, 17 Nov 2010i think nokia still has the best browser, Maemo on N900 that is. I will have to wait and see i... moreSolution: Use a different browser. Dolphin browser is what I use. I hear Opera also came out with a new browser although I haven't personally tested it.
- Arzoo
- Isj
the hardness of the keys on the physical keyboard go away after you use it for a week or so.. it becomes softer to press.. i used to dig my nail into it, but now i just press em and they work fine..
I had a legend before this..I LOVED IT but this, as someone already said, blows everything out of the water. I'm a mac person, and i still don't like the iphone, this is brilliant and sleek and not only gorgeous to look at, but the browsing experience is unparalleled. I read the whole of Anna Karenina from Kobo on it and it did wonderfully.
Everything runs smoothly and efficiently and people who have a problem with the phone have not had the chance to get used to it yet.
I bought it from Bell in Canada for $470-ish. Worth every penny =)
- Stuntman
- NGf
For a demonstration of the hinge, check out the first video on this site: http://mobilesyrup.com/2010/11/06/video-bell-htc-desire-z-hardware-and-speed-test-review/
The reviewer is pretty rough on the phone. It also shows how easy it is to open due to the loose hinge.
- Stuntman
- NGf
Anonymous, 17 Nov 2010i think nokia still has the best browser, Maemo on N900 that is. I will have to wait and see i... moreI played around with the browser on the Galaxy S at a store a few months ago when I was considering ditching my N97 for that. The GPS issues on the Galaxy S (and lack of a QWERTY) held me back. From what I can remember, the browser on the Galaxy S is very similar to the Desire Z's browser. It's heads and shoulders above the N97. (What isn't?) The only thing that the Android browser cannot do is manage my bookmarks well. No folders and cannot rearrage the order.
I have never tried the N900, so I cannot comment on that. I'm interested to know why you feel the N900 browser is superior to the Galaxy S browser.
- Anonymous
- m7I
Stuntman, 17 Nov 2010I personally prefer the N97 tilt and slide mechanism. I like to be able to put it on a table ... morei think nokia still has the best browser, Maemo on N900 that is. I will have to wait and see if i can be as satisfied with the web on android 2.2. I tried froyo on a galaxy S and so far i prefer the Maemo browser, N900 is hard to beat for webbrowsing. Will take at least a weak before my desire Z is shipped so i juz have to imagine for now =)
- Stuntman
- 4A$
Anonymous, 17 Nov 2010thanx a lot for reply. i currently have an N900 which i love, its still close to perfect for m... moreI personally prefer the N97 tilt and slide mechanism. I like to be able to put it on a table and have it tilt up at me. I didn't have any problems with it. I think you just need to know where to apply pressure as it was very easy for me to open the keyboard on the N97 once you know how.
I was really considering the E7 as I like the tilt and slide mechanism on that, too. I guess it's just personal preference. I just got tired of waiting for the E7 to be released. The Desire Z was released here, in Canada, first, so I snapped it up.
I am very happy with the Desire Z. I really wanted a good browser. The browsers on the Nokias didn't seem very good and word is, the new updated browser won't be available until February.
- Anonymous
- m7I
Stuntman, 17 Nov 2010I also used to own an N97. I ditched it for this. Compared to the N97, the Desire Z is easie... morethanx a lot for reply. i currently have an N900 which i love, its still close to perfect for me, and i was gonna wait for the successor of n900 with meego; but when i saw that it will use the terrible slider mechanism from N97 i almost cried and seeing that they also choose the same mechanism for E7 convinced me that it will take years before nokia will release a qwerty unit wit a slider that is practically usable.
Im happy to hear the desire z will open easily, a lil loose is ok with me i hope.
nokia shud have improved on the n900 mechanism to make space for a four row keyboard. its soft and smooth and loving, i rather slide open the keyboard than to use the unlock sliding button on the side, while on N97 part of life becomes a struggle to avoid opening the keyboard.
- Stuntman
- 4A$
Anonymous, 16 Nov 2010whats the main prblm with the keyboard for u? The top row is to close to the lcd?
What you... moreI also used to own an N97. I ditched it for this. Compared to the N97, the Desire Z is easier to open. The hinge mechanism is rather loose and this makes it easy to open the keyboard. You can easily use one hand to open and close it. It requires very little force. As I understand it, the designers made it loose so it would be easy to open and close. The only disadvantage of the loose hinge is that if you are lying on your back and holding the phone above your head, gravity will force the keyboard to close unless you grip both the keyboard and screen section.
The feel of the keyboard on the Desire Z is different than the N97. I am still trying to make the adjustment to the Desire Z keyboard. The most significant difference I see is that you need to press the keys harder on the Desire Z than on the N97. The extra force I need to use is making me prone to some errors. I have used it for a week now and am getting better at it now. The keys are fairly spaced apart like the N97. The layout of the keys is a bit better. More commonly used punctuation marks like the at symbol and comma do not requre a shift to press.
- Anonymous
- m7I
Anonymous, 16 Nov 2010Yea, the keyboard is way too cramped and thus completely useless. I'm gonna try and sell mine.whats the main prblm with the keyboard for u? The top row is to close to the lcd?
What you think about the sliding mechanism, does it require too much initial force to open, does it slam hard wen open/close? I ask coz i hated nokia N97 wit its brain ret@rded slider.
- Anonymous
- Rxf
Yea, the keyboard is way too cramped and thus completely useless. I'm gonna try and sell mine.
- elle
- t7X
Anonymous, 15 Nov 2010I got it for 55 Canadian dollars :-Pu mean your desire z was bought at Canada and is now working in the Philippines? did u still have it unlocked? please reply asap...it will be a big help. ,y uncle is coming hme frm canada on dec.
- Anonymous
- qbe
Anonymous, 14 Nov 2010this is my dreamed phone. lol, sigh* really expensive!!!I got it for 55 Canadian dollars :-P
- Anonymous
- m7I
the dedicated keys in the front are braindead, i would feel like a prettyboy who knows what google is. "hey chaps, let me press my fashionly correct dedicated google button on my gay looking celfone".
y cant anyone make an android fone that has the beauty and discrete privacy of the N900's front panel? Smooth and anonymous. Well, looks like froyo cant match the flash support of N900 in real life anyway, only on paper, so i guess it doesnt matter. I say that coz i tried samsung i9000 galaxy S wit froyo, not impressed after failing to display flash content other than videos and flash ads that we all hate anyway, hope its only samsungs usual crappy implementation, maybe other froyo r better?
- Anonymous
- Ije
Love this phone. I've been a Blackberry user for the past few years. Before Blackberry I had a whole bunch of different Windows Mobile devices from HP and HTC. I've been a cell phone user since 1995. This device blows everything else out of the water. Get it and forget it.
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