soompi forums > Sony Ericsson "rachael" (xperia 3) & The Htc "hero"

Devine.Integrity

Jun 24 2009, 02:42 PM

UPDATED: Sony Ericsson Rachael (Xperia 3)

So whats so good about this phone?
Well it supports a 1GHZ processor (Yes, almost as fast the 3 year laptops). Phones with a 1GHZ processor are known as "Snap Dragon". Basically the phone would almost have no lag and can run very large programs. But dont get too excited because the phone also needs ram to back up its processor (no word on how much ram it has yet).

It also sports an 8.1 megapixel camera with LED flash. Sony Ericsson, like HTC, has cuztimized the User interface of Android. (No codename for their UI yet however). Check out the video below and see how it is.

Sony Ericsson Rachael UI Video

SO, the real question is, which phone are you now willing to get? In my opinion the hardware specs on the Rachael is mind-blowing. But the UI on the HTC hero looks more user friendly.

===================================================

HTC HERO

HTC just released their latest Android device today (July 24th) to the public.

As you may have known, Android is a new OS (Operating System) for cellphones that launched last year in America with the T-Mobile G1.
The Android OS in the HTC Hero has been revamped and customized completely which in my point of view, looks more beautiful
than native Google Android OS in the G1.

The New OS is called "Sense UI".
It has a lot of new features such as an integrated facebook and twitter widget.
Real time world clock widget.
Weather widget similiar to that of the Windows Mobile Touch Flo 3d.
Text messaging widgets so you can easily view your texts.
Calling widgets to easily set up your favorites without hitting menu.
And much more.

The phone also has a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, YES (finally), so now you dont have
to worry about buying adaptors for your device just so you can use your regular earphones
to listen to music. The HTC Hero also has 5.0 Megapixel camera with autofocus, but sadly no flash.
And the most spectacular feature of the HTC Hero is that it will be the first Android phone EVER to
have Adobe Flash pre-installed. (Yes, you can now simply just go to youtube.com and watch videos
there without using your device's native youtube app.) Also good for playing flash games

So are you willing to jump into the Android bandwagon once this device hits the US? The device is
set to release in America in late 2009 (However no word on which carrier will have it). Most likely
T-Mobile, however theres a possibility that other carriers may get this phone as well.

With the recently released Palm-Pre and Iphone 3G S, this phone will stir up the competition once it
releases in the cellular phone battle field.

-----------------------------------------------

Sadly, they did take out the multiple color choices,
but anyways, here is a trailer.

A Hero Is Born

Here is the (NEW) Trailer that was released today that gives you a more inside look of the OS.

HTC Official "Hero" Trailer; First Look

And just to show you how Android (Google Version) looks like, I uploaded these pics from my homepage
on my g1 device.

J-10

Jun 24 2009, 07:29 PM

is there a keyboard? or is it like iphone with complete touchscreen?

ulquiorra

Jun 24 2009, 09:49 PM

I'm interested in the htc hero! Going to wait for reviews for this phone.
I love the new UI and the Android OS

tirahbunny

Jun 24 2009, 10:49 PM

awww no qwerty keyboard : (

abusegirl

Jun 25 2009, 01:17 AM

it looks like those giant white cordless house phones ca. 1994 except smaller..and with a touchscreen.

so not feeling it.

absinthe_faerie

Jun 25 2009, 01:29 AM

I love how Soompi has an icon in the last picture!

res0nate

Jun 25 2009, 06:20 AM

Day one purchase for me.

smileplz

Jun 25 2009, 10:15 AM

such a nice phone, but there is a question with the keyboard.

thinkTwice

Jun 25 2009, 11:42 AM

Spec-wise it the almost the same as the HTC Magic/MyTouch 3G.
The big news is HTC Sense.
That chin bothers me, I think the Magic is better looking.

This isn't enough for me to switch to Android. It's still too early- so I've been happily using a 3GS.
Samsung has the hardware specs- OLED, 8GB of memory
HTC has the software- HTC Sense, but no OLED, and 512MB of memory
Combine the two together, iron out the bugs in Sense 1.0, have Donut released, flash working, and then you'll have my interest.

Android is interesting, but not something I want to spend my money on yet.

thatguy

Jun 26 2009, 02:21 PM

the UI is looking awesome! when i saw a video of it i was really sold. im a qwerty fan so not having one is a bummer.

cksdayoff

Jun 26 2009, 04:42 PM

i'll be getting this phone in a couple of weeks. the hero looks like what an android phone should be. love the design, looks like the g1 but with a bit more polish.

then you add adobe flash capabilities along with a 5 megapixel camera, not to mention the new android operating system and you've got yourself a winner.

if you've always wanted an android phone, the htc hero is the phone to get.

good thing i've waited a bit, i would've regretted getting the htc magic or the iphone 3gs

edit: oh and almost forget, a standard3.5 mm headphone jack!

squishyxpd

Jun 26 2009, 06:59 PM

HTC phones are really really nice. The widgets and features are cool too. I like the white and turquoise one [:

thatguy

Jun 29 2009, 01:35 PM

QUOTE (cksdayoff @ Jun 26 2009, 07:42 PM)

i'll be getting this phone in a couple of weeks. the hero looks like what an android phone should be. love the design, looks like the g1 but with a bit more polish.

then you add adobe flash capabilities along with a 5 megapixel camera, not to mention the new android operating system and you've got yourself a winner.

if you've always wanted an android phone, the htc hero is the phone to get.

good thing i've waited a bit, i would've regretted getting the htc magic or the iphone 3gs

edit: oh and almost forget, a standard3.5 mm headphone jack!

let us know when you do get it. i really want to know how it is. if it gets very good reviews from people i might think of selling my n97 for it. i cant believe it's around $700 though unlocked. i heard some carrier is subsidizing it for free with a 2 year contract.

cksdayoff

Jun 30 2009, 01:26 PM

QUOTE (thatguy @ Jun 29 2009, 05:35 PM)

let us know when you do get it. i really want to know how it is. if it gets very good reviews from people i might think of selling my n97 for it. i cant believe it's around $700 though unlocked. i heard some carrier is subsidizing it for free with a 2 year contract.

are you really sure you want to do that? the n97 is a nice phone. If you've been with nokia for a while, then you probably don't have a problem with the OS. The video recorder is awesome and it has one of the better cameras on a smartphone. I was thinking about geting an N97 but I've always wanted to use the Android platform and the android market is getting bigger and better. The Hero will be my first android phone.

how is the battery life on the n97? I know they tried to make a unique home screen experience but having 3 or 4 widgets on your main screen would kill your battery in several hours, i'm assuming.

MESHi<3

Jul 1 2009, 07:33 PM

Ooh, it does look pretty but not something I'd get for myself. However HTC makes such nice phones.

thatguy

Jul 2 2009, 10:43 AM

QUOTE (cksdayoff @ Jun 30 2009, 03:26 PM)

are you really sure you want to do that? the n97 is a nice phone. If you've been with nokia for a while, then you probably don't have a problem with the OS. The video recorder is awesome and it has one of the better cameras on a smartphone. I was thinking about geting an N97 but I've always wanted to use the Android platform and the android market is getting bigger and better. The Hero will be my first android phone.

how is the battery life on the n97? I know they tried to make a unique home screen experience but having 3 or 4 widgets on your main screen would kill your battery in several hours, i'm assuming.

the android platform is what's getting to me too. as for the battery life to the n97 i think it's decent. i cant really tell cause im always charging it when i get home.

MonkeyKing

Jul 4 2009, 02:15 PM

im so getting this phone anyone know the release date?

suzic87

Jul 5 2009, 07:33 AM

Well in the UK a slightly pink one is gonna be released, I look forward to it!! I've been looking for a new phone for years literally!!!

thinkTwice

Jul 5 2009, 04:00 PM

QUOTE (MonkeyKing @ Jul 4 2009, 06:15 PM)

im so getting this phone anyone know the release date?

good luck waiting...
So far android phones are pretty slow to be released here in the states.

Devine.Integrity

Jul 5 2009, 04:32 PM

QUOTE (MonkeyKing @ Jul 4 2009, 05:15 PM)

im so getting this phone anyone know the release date?

You can get this phone in July but its going to be the GSM version and you wont get
3G for T-mobile brands only. But at&t you can.

MonkeyKing

Jul 6 2009, 11:17 PM

QUOTE (Devine.Integrity @ Jul 5 2009, 07:32 PM)

You can get this phone in July but its going to be the GSM version and you wont get
3G for T-mobile brands only. But at&t you can.

any idea of the price range?

Devine.Integrity

Jul 8 2009, 11:36 AM

QUOTE (MonkeyKing @ Jul 7 2009, 02:17 AM)

any idea of the price range?

Cheapest I found was for 560 at expansys. I heard they also give you a
50 dollar voucher if you buy the phone

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=184566

*FIRST POST UPDATED WITH A NEW ANDROID INTERFACE ON
THE SE RACHAEL.

tirahbunny

Jul 8 2009, 12:31 PM

I hate how they took away the qwerty keyboard on both phones. Its so inconvenient and downright annoying to text/type on the screen

Rachaelsol

Jul 8 2009, 03:40 PM

hahahahahahahahaa

i only clicked on the title because my name is rachael.
but i'm liking the hero,
bummed that they took out the extra colors though.

o1honey

Jul 8 2009, 05:06 PM

xperia 3? i thought they just announced xperia 2 xD.. it looks mighty finee though

don't like the HTC cell O_o.. looks.. weird

thatguy

Jul 9 2009, 05:26 PM

QUOTE (tirahbunny @ Jul 8 2009, 02:31 PM)

I hate how they took away the qwerty keyboard on both phones. Its so inconvenient and downright annoying to text/type on the screen

yah if i had an option id always like to have a qwerty. the soft keyboard for the hero looks pretty decent though. there's a in depth review at mobile-review.com. the image quality of the hero is decent for a 5mp. i wish it had flash for night time shots though. the video is kind of laggy. i still think its a great all around phone though.

MESHi<3

Jul 12 2009, 08:11 PM

Whoa, I like the Sony Ericsson xperia 3. It looks so sleek.
I wonder how much it will cost though.

SYNsaish

Jul 12 2009, 08:41 PM

Those phones look soooooooooooooo nice. I've been looking for a new phone too...hmm...now this has me contemplating.

Devine.Integrity

Aug 1 2009, 03:23 PM

The HTC Hero will be coming to SPRINT on October 11th!

(Such a shame that it will be coming to a CDMA network, not a GSM)
http://androidguys.com/?p=6194

Good news is, Sprint is releasing their 4G(aka Wimax) network this year, in some cities.

mslightning

Oct 19 2009, 08:53 PM

I'm somewhat attracted to the design of the hero, but there's just one thing which i wasn't happy about.

The lack of FM Radio.

Seriously, no flash would still be ok, but a phone without FM Radio? Haha.

The adoration i had for this phone went from 95% to 75%. =X