Looking for a new phone

Jokke

Hi!

I'm thinking of getting a new phone. I currently have HTC HD2 with WinMo 6.5, and it's starting to behave weird.
Phone technology is not something I've been paying any attention to, so I don't really know what's good or not. I've tried to put together a list of what I want though:

-A large and bright touchscreen, not smaller than 4.3", which is what I currently have.

-The option to call internationally, as in to Norway from countries in Asia and N&S-America (not sure if this is an issue anymore in this modern world we live in)

-Android OS, although I'm not unwilling to try Win7 if someone can recommend it strongly

-Large internal storage, or possibility for a large SD-card

-Fast and responsive

-Must be able to take some beating (or be compatible with a good case)

-Surf the web, send and recieve texts and calls (although this is a given)

-Camera with flash, similar to or better than my current (5 megapixels autofocus CMOS sensor, video up to 800×480 resolution)

-GPS

-relatively good battery (15+ hours, moderate use)

I've been looking at the HTC Sensation XL, Samsung Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Titan, but I'm posting this to get any input, and if anyone has any other suggestions I'm willing to try.

Thanks
Jokke

Thrax

Galaxy Nexus or Galaxy S II are the superstars in the Android world. They'll both meet all of your requirements, and offer superior performance to the HTC Sensation.

quake101

Galaxy Nexus or Galaxy S II are the superstars in the Android world. They'll both meet all of your requirements, and offer superior performance to the HTC Sensation.

THIS!

Tushon

As usual in the mobile market, Thrax has the correct answer.

Jokke

Thanks for the feedback. Seems I'll be going for Samsung then.
I have a few follow up questions:

-I see the Nexus has slightly larger screen (4.27" VS 4.65") and better resolution (900x480 VS 1280x720). Will there be a noticeable difference between the two, or will the 0.38" difference be like a drop in the ocean?

-I see the S II is on the list of phones who will recieve the ICS upgrade. How will this happen? Simple download and update from Samsung's site?

-I've tried looking around to find some info on Samsung backup solutions. Do they have a program I can install on my computer to backup contacts and texts?

-How scratch resistant are the two screens? I've read the S II has Gorilla Glass, while the Nexus does not. Will it make a difference? I could use one of those plastic sheets, but even though I had one on my old phone, the screen is still scratched and dented.

Tushon

I can't speak to the size, because I haven't used either, but the only real way to hold them both side by side at a store.

Probably an OTA update provided by your carrier, but it would also be available by other means (either the stock ICS built for that phone or via CM9 when it drops)

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't use them anyways. ROM Manager with nandroid or TitaniumBackup are the only things I'll use (require root)

I had good luck with a Zagg InvisibleShield but not sure if that is available over there or if it works as well with touchscreens (my previous phone was non-touchscreen). Thrax probably knows more about the screens/likelihood of breaking.

Straight_Man

-I see the Nexus has slightly larger screen (4.27" VS 4.65") and better resolution (900x480 VS 1280x720). Will there be a noticeable difference between the two, or will the 0.38" difference be like a drop in the ocean?

Higher numbers are more res, finer dotted or pixelled picture. The smaller screen is offset by being too small to see lots of graphic detail. These days, folk are more and more grahically oriented. With a touch phone of the qualities Thrax offered, you get more tinier areas to touch and try to focus on with with smaller icons.

Given that bigger screens show bigger icons unless finer pixelled, easier to touch (I have large fingertips from manual work when younger), think about whether you might want larger icons. Larger screen also means more icons across, so smalller areas to touch needed more-- thus a bigger screen better for that also..

In the US SD cards are much cheaper than they were, 16 GB ones cost what 2GB ones cost 8-9 years ago, and the trend toward cheaper and smaller is accellerating.

Just some fodder/data to think about, friendly wise.

Tushon

Oh and keep in mind that GNexus does not have any SD card capabilities. You are limited to internal storage only.

Jokke

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. @Tushon I did notice the Nexus doesn't have SD support, but my on my current phone I use around 340Mb, so I guess 16GB will be enough.

Thrax

Thanks for the feedback. Seems I'll be going for Samsung then.
I have a few follow up questions:

-I see the Nexus has slightly larger screen (4.27" VS 4.65") and better resolution (900x480 VS 1280x720). Will there be a noticeable difference between the two, or will the 0.38" difference be like a drop in the ocean?

Roughly comparable, because the Galaxy Nexus has a 16:9 aspect ratio that makes it a touch taller while maintaining approximately the same width.

-I see the S II is on the list of phones who will recieve the ICS upgrade. How will this happen? Simple download and update from Samsung's site?

It will be delivered over the air as an upgrade.

-I've tried looking around to find some info on Samsung backup solutions. Do they have a program I can install on my computer to backup contacts and texts?

All of your contacts are backed up with Google on an Android phone. Texts on Android can be back up with any number of third-party apps available on the Android market.

-How scratch resistant are the two screens? I've read the S II has Gorilla Glass, while the Nexus does not. Will it make a difference? I could use one of those plastic sheets, but even though I had one on my old phone, the screen is still scratched and dented.

SGS2 has Gorilla Glass, Galaxy Nexus uses a different brand of fortified glass (unknown), which is still scratch and impact-resistant.

Jokke

Well, I'll hit a physical store tomorrow to look at the real phones, thanks for all your help so far guys.

Jokke

Took a look today. I must admit, the differences don't seem to be all that much. I barely noticed the larger screen in a side-by-side comparison. For now, I'm 51% for the Nexus, and 49% for the S II, just because the Nexus fit better in my hand, and I immediately felt more comfortable typing with it for some reason.

So my last question will be:

-In your professional opinion, what are the main reasons for going for either phone, or maybe more clearly, what will tip the scale in either direction?

Jokke

I went for the Galaxy Nexus. I had a good feeling about it. It'll probably arrive sometime next week. Thanks for all your help and input!

Snarkasm

I went with the Nexus or the pure Google experience. You won't regret your choice.

Jokke

Got it today. Looks good so far, but it takes some time for me to change from WinMo to Android (never used an Android device before)