HTC G1
Phone Scoop Review
Oct 16, 2008 by Eric M. Zeman
Here it is. The "GPhone". The Google Phone. The HTC G1 is the first phone running Google's Android platform. Does it pass muster? read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
Not bad Google... Not bad at all.
I switched from a Blackberry Curve on Sprint to T-Mobile cimply for the G1. I must say with absolute honestly that I don't regret my decision at all nor do I miss by Blackberry as I thought I would initially. The data spends are actually faster that my Blackberry and even faster than the iPhone. There are so many Pros, that the list would be almost impossible to complete. The only thing that I don't like is that you can't have personalized/custom ringtones for individual contacts other than the stock ringtones, which, as usually, suck.
Great job Google and keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to any updates that are coming in the near future.
I gave it 4.5 out of 5 because, let's face it, nothing is perfect.
Love this gadget!
First of all, I was getting an new phone and I knew it would be either the iPhone or the G1. It took me about a week weighing all the pros and cons and I decided to take the risk with the brand new phone and operating system. I'm an admitted techie and I also have an above average tolerance for risk so it seemed like the way to go. I also really like the Google attitude towards open development vs. the Apple not-so-open approach. So, enough about me, here's my take on the G1.
Cons:
- Battery life is not stellar. So far I've been paranoid and I charge it at every opportunity. I've also ordered a AAA cell battery backup so I won't be caught dead.
- Apps are still a bit raw. That's to be expected and there are quite a few good ones already. This can only get better over time.
- Unable to do true laptop tethering via bluetooth. I was able to do this with my Verizon Q9c but it doesn't see to be available with the G1.
- No available decent HTC belt holster available
- GPS sometimes has a problem getting a fix even when outdoors
Pros:
- Touch screen rocks
- Real keyboard instead of on-screen makes text entry a snap
- Keyboard has number keys across the top (unlike the Q9c, where they're shared with letters)
- Hundreds of free apps with new ones appearing every day.
- Voice quality is really good. I've had Motorola Q's for the past 2 years and this phone is MUCH better.
- GMail and Google calendar integration is really cool
- Web browser is PC quality, doesn't seem like it's on a pocket device
- Cut, copy, paste!
- Cell tower position determination works great if you don't need an exact location (like for apps searching for the nearest Starbucks, weather, etc.)
- Threaded text messaging
Well I'm about out of space for my verbose review. So far I haven't found anything to really complain about on this phone. I think I made a good choice!
totally blew my mind!
Beside the crappy AIM, this device is practically flawless!
PROS:
keyboard is great!
size isnt as big as expected.
notification bar is SAWEEEEET!
calls sound nice.
screen is pretty darn sensitive.
speaker is LOUD!
app store is fun, LOTS of fun things to get!
screen is GORGEOUS!
included headphones don't suck!
CONS:
battery could be a WEE bit better.
AIM needs a lot of work!
Even with these minor issues, i think this is an AMAZING first step for android, and htc made a solid, sexy, sophisticated device in my opinion!
Coolest phone I've ever returned
Bought the G1 on Monday, returned it with tears in my eyes on Saturday.
This phone is cool, fun, smooth and represents all that is good about today's technology and innovation.
If you don't need to rely on email, IM and/or depend on a reasonable batter, this IS the phone for you.
If however, you constantly IM, send email or are a heavy phone user, it's NOT the phone for you.
Pros:
Slick looking
At it's core, it's simple and intuitive
It just works
No freezing, slow apps or hiccups
Great screen quality
Easy to learn
Great Android OS
Great browser and acceptable even without 3G
Great download speeds with 3G and wi-fi
Responsive touch screen, great for browsing
Huge potential for great apps
App store
T1 service in Silicon Valley (SJ CA) was very reliable, not 1 dropped call
Mapping technology and compass mode is fantastic
Barcode scanning and price check app mind blowing
Cons:
Battery life is hideous (1.5-3hrs depending on usage)
Annoying to open/slide to access a keyboard
When keyboard is open in landscape mode, you can't hold the right side of the phone in your hand and type, it's terribly awkward and ergonomically very incorrect.
No MS Exchange Sync, or ability to stay in contact/sync with your office Outlook.
Overall, it's fun, in fact so fun I kept killing the battery because I couldn't put it down. After a few days the obsession turned to casual use, and the battery still couldn't handle it. Without a reliable batter, or Exchange Sync, I can't justify it. You would think after watching Apple, they would have launched Exchange Sync out of the gate.
It's a good phone, with GREAT potential, but not worth the time or money until they get it right, wait for Rev II and read the reviews before buying.
G1 is AWESOME
I have had my g1 now for a little more than a week. My favorite thing about the g1 is that it feels like having a computer in my pocket. I was going to get an iphone but went with the g1 as I wanted a mini- computer and not a phone + ipod + internet + mail. There is a full file system on the g1 versus the iphone which will never let users access the file system. Android is the future of mobile computing and I predict Apple repeating the 1980s PC history. With all the lockdowns and restrictions I decided to not go with the iphone even though it is prettier and has multitouch.
People just need to work with this phone and calm down
Okay this is for people having a hard time with wallpapers first to fit wallpapers correctly is 800x600 folks you will see what I'm talking about also sync your wallpapers from your computer into the SD card for music ringtones and videos now go to www.coreplayer.com it will have a application for the g1 that will support every format there is also has you tube player this is coming out soon and it will support flash 3.0 its in the works so like i said every phone has issues but they always come around and fix firmware i truly think that the android itself will be the future best wait and see gave up my iphone 3g unlocked and nokia n95 8gb crazy but love google :]
G1 Pretty Good Phone
I have been reading some of the reviews that has been written about the G1 and I must say it's pretty amazing to see just how many people don't read their owner manual or just don't give the time to get to know their phone.
As far as the G1 is concern, it has its pro's as well as its con's
Pro's
-touch screen is so sick...love it!
-android market is very easy to use with a lot of FREE downloads
-one touch google feature comes in handy
-the battery life isn't half bad. I drove 4 hours...talked for 4 hours on a trip I was returning from and still had battery life when I got home....LET THE PHONE CHARGE ALL THE WAY PEOPLE!
-Navigation system
-Customizable Home Screen
-Full Qwerty Key Board is great
-Track ball also makes it easy to navigate
and one more thing that I have to say....
-THE PHONE HAS A PHONE HEAD SET JACK PEOPLE!!!! READ YOUR MANUAL THAT HAS THE ARROWS POINTING TO THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PHONE! OMG
Now like I said there are pro's and con's. So now that I have stated the pro's, let's go on to the con's
Con's
-Camera Sucks! For a 3 MP camera it really does suck. You have to stay completely still to take a good picture. I hope someone comes up with a android application that upgrades the camera.
-No Video. Yea go figure. I thought It would at least have that.
-Ring volume is low. I wish it was louder
-And browsing outside the 3G network is a little slow but it works pretty good.
Over all it's the best phone I've ever owned. And I've used every PDA phone out with T-Mobile.
If you want it...GET IT!!!!It's worth it.
Amazing phone
I bought the G1 a week ago and I love this phone. I live in a non 3g area and the internet is fast on edge(5-10 seconds for a page to load) and a pleasure to browse. Pages show up just like the desktop internet and you can also send pics and music and save them as attachments to and from the phone without the USB cable. I keep reading all these reviews about how the G1 is not a good looking phone but I disagree. I think the G1 looks real nice(especially the black one). I love the retro look of it.
The Android OS is just amazing and the applications are cool. I really don't understand why somebody would give this phone a bad review. I understand there might be some minor issues but overall this phone is amazing. I am a powerseller on Ebay and have sold hundreds of phones over the years and owned dozens and the G1 is the coolest and most useful phone I have used.
I think a lot of people who bad mouth it are iphone users or people who sold it on Ebay for big $$$$ and trying to convince themselves that its not good as they sold it. Get this phone, you will love it. Also, with Android, the possibilities are endless.
BEST FUN FOR ME
Pros
There are too many to list, i am happy with this phone, as i started out a sidekick lx user, which totaly sucked, email was gay it never came on time, only thing good for the sidekick was the instant messager but it always had problems since the G would disapear atleast daily, so stop compairing this phone to the sidekick and stop compairing it with the slow tmobile wing, which i also have, that phone locks up daily, and yes it has more problems, BECAUSE IT IS WINDOWS.
best part about this phone is that google said if you can create the application to do what you want, then go ahead and do it
Android OS is the future!!!!!!!!
and if you want outlook then go get a windows mobile device you dummies, windows makes outlook not google ! if you want a 3.5mm jack then go buy you a freaking mp3 player, this is a phone for god shake not a media device
Cons
is my battery which aint a big deal i got a charger at work, the car and home.
virtual keyboard would be nice which it will come.
fobidin love
pros
love the phone !! had the wing this blows it out the water .thanks htc.. 3g network is good in phx.. works really good umm love all the free apps.. even though they are 3rd party.. just prob the best phone i have ever held i want to give it 10 stars .... how ever
!!!!!!!!1CONS!!!!!!!!
\OK SO letâs start with the batt. life .. mine on standby is a lil over 5 hrs.. not 16 days.. i cant even really sink my teeth into anything before im worried about it just shutting off. next no vid cam and very weak camera setting .. no flash.. no headphone jack.... no sense seamless movement from landscape to reg mode.. and the worst part... apps and major hard ware started deleting its self .. causing me to mail mine back in on buyers remorse.. so maybe i just have a defective one .. which is good cuz they only give you 14 days to claim ...
good phone all over just not there yet !!!!
