Verizons Droid Incredible from HTC (review)

Ponytail

New Member
I have been asked by a few to give a review of the Droid Incredible. I'm not a techy by any means, and this is my first non-basic phone...my first Smart Phone.

I pre-ordered the Incredible on the 19th and was one of the lucky ones that had it mistakenly shipped out early. I recieved and activated it on the 27th.

Right off the bat, I can tell you that this thing is FAST. It charges fast, downloads fast, switches from screen to screen fast.

And as mentioned by a few other folks using the Droid, I have not used my laptop since getting this phone.

The screen is bright, uber clear, and have had no problems with sunlight as some of the professional reviews have stated. Although, I can see how that might be a problem once the screen gets smudged up from finger prints.

The capacitive touch screen and keyboard works awesome. It took me a few hours of playing with it to figure a few things out, but the biggest problem I had was with proper aim of my fat fingers. 3 days later, and I'm sending emails and posting in forums with ease.

There is no manual that comes with it, and so far, It's not missed. This thing is that intuitive. SUPER easy to personalize it, organizing up to 7 screens with different colors, back grounds, and dropping whatever ICONS you want in each one. That part is cool.

Phone calls are very clear and the contact list file system is awesome. You can send texts, make calls, or send emails directly from your contact list.

I use Yahoo email, and have had no problem downloading/viewing attachments of any kind to the phone.

Battery life suffers a bit compared to my Dumb Phone that would last for a week on a single charge. But I suspect the difference is in the necessary chip and memory as well as the bright screen and the apps that may be running in the background (GPS), facebook and email notifications, etc, depending one what apps you download and use.

So count on putting your phone on the charger every night, or even a time or two throughout the day if you are going to be a heavy apps/internet/-text/etc user throughout the day. I used it purposely as much as I could, playing games, using the net, making calls, trying wear it down. When I got home from work at 5:30, it was in need of a charger.

Today, I havent it used it much, been too busy to play, and the battery life indicator tells me that's it's holding a good charge, and can easily wait till I hit the sack tonight.

When I say it's intuitive, I meant its VERY intuitive. I found the phone to be very easy to figure out and use. So easy, that we're getting my S.O. one this afternoon. Initially, she didn't think she'd use it, or that it was worth the up front money or the added monthly charge. She changed her mind in a hurry when she saw me using mine and I showed her how easy it was and just a few of the possibilities for use of it.

The phone is light, but my last phone was a G'zone and that thing is a tank. So I'm sure theres going to be some that argue its weight.

I found it to be very comfortable to hold, use and talk on. It's alerts, sounds, etc are very loud if you so choose, and are VERY clear. My last few phones, it didn't seem like the volume was ever loud enough, particularly when at work.
 
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Ponytail

New Member
IN addition...

This phone is a worthwhile gift to myself. It keeps me off the gov't issued puters to waste gov't time on the internet. I don't have to kick the kids off the laptop and deal with the crap that got downloaded to it that bogs it down, just so I can pay bills, or check email. I can do it all from this phone.

I love it. And I look forward to playing with it and seeing what else it can do for me.

The 8megapixel camera takes awesome pictures, though I'm sure not as good as a standard 5.0-8.0 DLR camera. I'd say it's probably equivalent to my old 4.3megapixel Compact.

The videos get grainy in dark (indoor) environments, but overall I've been very impressed with the quality of the videos for such a compact unit. Sound quality on the videos is fair.

The phone keeps me form having to carry, a phone, camera, MPG player and laptop when I travel. I have it all in my pocket.

I don't expect to take award winning pictures with it. I will still carry my cameras when I expect to take good, hangable quality pics. The phone is good for those just in case moments, or as in my case, for the moments that you know won't wait for you to find, turn-on, and take pictures from a regular camera.

After taking pictures or video, it immediately gives you the option the post to facebook, twitter, email, save or delete. SUPER easy.

I don't regret buying this phone at all. I don't see a limit yet to the possibilities with this phone, within reason. I'm well aware that it essentially is just a communication device at heart and don't hold higher expections to the add-ons, therefore allowing me to be impressed by what it's capabilities are.

Again, this is my first experience with a Smart Phone of any kind, and I'm sold now. I fully get it. The best part is, I'm not constrained by having the apple logo on it.

Anybody want to buy a slightly used Shuffle, loaded with music? How about a Sansa Fuse that is less than a year old?
 
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jsouthan

New Member
That just makes me want one even more! I have been waiting to get a Smartphone that would rival the iPhone and this is the first one that I feel is a true equal. If you could post again in a couple of weeks, after you really have it broken in, that would be great. Thanks!
 

jules12

New Member
I just got mine today and its also my first smart phone and I absolutely love it already. It's also my first touch screen and I have had no problems so far!!
 

Ponytail

New Member
Thanks for the review. Before buying the Incredible, did you consider the Moto Droid? If so, what made you go for the Incredible over the Droid?
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I did consider the Moto Droid, and I decided against it for two reasons:

First, I don't need a physical keyboard. I don't text or tweet, and dont forsee myself spending an abundance of time on it posting to forums. I tried it out a few times at the store on different occasions, and didn't really like the keyboard that much anyway.

Secondly, I played it safe. I went for the newest/fastest chipset, and better camera for the same price as the Moto Droid (2 yr upgrade price) and feel that it'll carry me farther with the software upgrades and apps than the Moto Droid would. I could be way off with that thought, but again, I felt going the way I did, was the safer bet.
 

awpitt

Main Streeter
I did consider the Moto Droid, and I decided against it for two reasons:

First, I don't need a physical keyboard. I don't text or tweet, and dont forsee myself spending an abundance of time on it posting to forums. I tried it out a few times at the store on different occasions, and didn't really like the keyboard that much anyway.

Secondly, I played it safe. I went for the newest/fastest chipset, and better camera for the same price as the Moto Droid (2 yr upgrade price) and feel that it'll carry me farther with the software upgrades and apps than the Moto Droid would. I could be way off with that thought, but again, I felt going the way I did, was the safer bet.

That makes sense. I could probably live without the physical keyboard, especially considering the good reviews Incredible's touch screen keyboard is getting. I also like the faster CPU and greater ROM/RAM Incredible has.

One of my big concerns about the Incredible is HTC's track record on pushing updates out to their phones. Most people say it's because of the SenseUI that runs on top of the stock Android OS. My concern is that I wouldn't want to buy an Incredible only to find myself stuck with Android 2.1 when everyone else moves on the Android 2.2, 2.3, etc. Version 2.2 is supposed add functionallity that allows APPs to be run the the SD card. That would be a big improvement but only if the phone gets the update.
 

Ponytail

New Member
That makes sense. I could probably live without the physical keyboard, especially considering the good reviews Incredible's touch screen keyboard is getting. I also like the faster CPU and greater ROM/RAM Incredible has.

One of my big concerns about the Incredible is HTC's track record on pushing updates out to their phones. Most people say it's because of the SenseUI that runs on top of the stock Android OS. My concern is that I wouldn't want to buy an Incredible only to find myself stuck with Android 2.1 when everyone else moves on the Android 2.2, 2.3, etc. Version 2.2 is supposed add functionallity that allows APPs to be run the the SD card. That would be a big improvement but only if the phone gets the update.

I don't foresee me needing the extra SD card to run apps. I still haven't even installed an SD card yet. I've been downloading apps, games, taking pitcures and video, etc. Haven't needed it yet. I can see needing the SD card for music, pictures, etc. But I can't see needing it to run apps. I don't have THAT big of a need for apps. I found a few that will come in Handy. I jsut can't imagine needing that many.
 

Ponytail

New Member
Review Update #2

I used the Google Maps Navigator (in Beta for now) to go from Philly to OC, Md, this weekend. It gives turn by turn navigation by voice.

It worked pretty well. ONLY hiccup I saw is that it wanted me to go to NJ to take the ferry from Cape May to Lewes, and that ain't the way I wanted to go. I just kept going the way I know, and it kept automatically re-routing.
It worked well. I was impressed.

Also, I did experience the display vs sunlight issue this weekend though. It was solved by tilting the display to eliminate the glare. All was well with that simple little adjustment. No big deal.
 

ylexot

Super Genius
One of my big concerns about the Incredible is HTC's track record on pushing updates out to their phones. Most people say it's because of the SenseUI that runs on top of the stock Android OS. My concern is that I wouldn't want to buy an Incredible only to find myself stuck with Android 2.1 when everyone else moves on the Android 2.2, 2.3, etc. Version 2.2 is supposed add functionallity that allows APPs to be run the the SD card. That would be a big improvement but only if the phone gets the update.

Yeah, that's one of my concerns too. So, I did some looking around and it looks like you would be able to upgrade to a non-SenseUI OS (i.e. Android 2.2)...if you are ok with rooting your phone and loading a custom ROM.

Personally, I'm ok with that. That means that I'd get to see what 2.2 has to offer and decide if I want to upgrade and lose SenseUI or stick with 2.1.

BTW, 2.2 and 2.3 are supposed to making changes so that OS upgrades will then be much smaller pieces and available on the Android Market. It would also decouple the upgrades from SenseUI.
 

awpitt

Main Streeter
Yeah, that's one of my concerns too. So, I did some looking around and it looks like you would be able to upgrade to a non-SenseUI OS (i.e. Android 2.2)...if you are ok with rooting your phone and loading a custom ROM.

Personally, I'm ok with that. That means that I'd get to see what 2.2 has to offer and decide if I want to upgrade and lose SenseUI or stick with 2.1.

BTW, 2.2 and 2.3 are supposed to making changes so that OS upgrades will then be much smaller pieces and available on the Android Market. It would also decouple the upgrades from SenseUI.

That's not a bad idea. Can the Incredible be rooted? I've read alot about Droids being rooted but haven't seen that talk about the Incredibles yet, probably too new. What does rooting do to the warrenty?


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ylexot

Super Genius
That's not a bad idea. Can the Incredible be rooted? I've read alot about Droids being rooted but haven't seen that talk about the Incredibles yet, probably too new. What does rooting do to the warrenty?

Here's a good response to that question:
Should I root my DROID? - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/dro...e-02-27-a.html

Read through the features. Dimming is one of them.

SBF will put your phone back into a non-rooted fresh out of the box state.

The setup for this rom lets you choose what to have installed and what not (I got rid of a few like the corp calendar

If your phone breaks and you can't unroot it then you ran it over or dropped it in a pond. Nobody else will know its rooted either.

Good luck and my reply to your question is "yes".
 

awpitt

Main Streeter
I used the Google Maps Navigator (in Beta for now) to go from Philly to OC, Md, this weekend. It gives turn by turn navigation by voice.

It worked pretty well. ONLY hiccup I saw is that it wanted me to go to NJ to take the ferry from Cape May to Lewes, and that ain't the way I wanted to go. I just kept going the way I know, and it kept automatically re-routing.
It worked well. I was impressed.

Also, I did experience the display vs sunlight issue this weekend though. It was solved by tilting the display to eliminate the glare. All was well with that simple little adjustment. No big deal.

I forgot about the glare issue. I was also wondering how your call quality and signal strength are doing. I'm reading that folks are having issues with that...

Poor Signal/Reception - Major Issue - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Android Forums - HTC Community

HTC Incredible Signal Strength Problems? [VOTE] | Android Phone Fans





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awpitt

Main Streeter
Looking at the survey results, it doesn't seem to be an issue.

I saw that too but if you look through the comments that were posted, it seems like there might be an issue. Either that or that people posting are are very small but vocal minority.




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Ponytail

New Member
I don't even pay attention to the bars anymore. 2 phones ago (4yrs ago), I used to have an issue with signal strength, dropped calls, etc. Didn't have that problem with the G'Zone, and after using the Incredible consistantly on my weekend trip back/forth to OC, I didn't experience any issues. Not on the beach, inside the condo or on the road.

The clarity is better than any other phone I've had in the past.

I'll be headed to the Poconos this weekend, where signal quality is known to be weak. I'll report next week how that goes.
 
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BigSlam123b

Only happy When It Rains
The signal issue is not a real issue. It actually has great signal strength but the software has a glitch that makes it look like you have a weak signal if you look at the bars on the top of the phone. I have had this phone for a week now and it is truly Incredible. Leaves the iPhone in the dust.
 

Beta84

They're out to get us
I don't foresee me needing the extra SD card to run apps. I still haven't even installed an SD card yet. I've been downloading apps, games, taking pitcures and video, etc. Haven't needed it yet. I can see needing the SD card for music, pictures, etc. But I can't see needing it to run apps. I don't have THAT big of a need for apps. I found a few that will come in Handy. I jsut can't imagine needing that many.

Your SD card didn't come preinstalled? The Moto Droid had a 16GB one already in there but I don't know about the Incredible.
 
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