[cruecu]

Let me start by saying that I want to like this phone enough to switch. I played with a store unit that did not have the internet turned on, so obviously there were certain things I couldn't test. Because of this store's location and the time they have had the Epic, I know that only a few people had handled it before me.


SCREEN:

I love the screen. It's as beautiful as advertised. Rich, deep colors when compared to the EVO. I pulled up the same live wallpaper on both and it was no comparison. The EVO was very washed out.

On the other hand, the size of the screen is NOTICEABLY smaller. On paper, it's a small difference. In hand, it's a completely different story. If you don't have the EVO currently, it won't matter. But if you currently are coming from the EVO, it's a big downgrade in real estate. I use my EVO as an Amazon Kindle, watch movies, and lots of web browsing, so this was a big turnoff for me.

SPEED:

Phone was very fast. No lag. I don't really have a lag with my EVO though.

KEYBOARD:

I can't remember the last time I owned a phone with a physical, pull out keyboard. I think it was my PPC 6700. The keyboard on this is very very good. Best I've personally seen in all the phones I've ever played with. I typed a message quickly and with no errors. The spacing on the letters is a little wider than keyboards I had tried before. With things like Shapewriter and Swype out there, I really have no need for a physical keyboard. It seems to me to be one more thing that could break. However, it would be nice having a physical D-pad when playing nintendo or genesis emulators on the phone. The tradeoff isn't worth it to me, but for those who want a keyboard....it's top notch.

CAMERA/CAMCORDER:

Due to the beautiful screen, the pics and video taken with the Epic appear better on the phone when comparing the same shots on the EVO. Obviously, I couldn't transfer both pics and look at them on an independent screen...so I can't say for sure. Video was smooth. I didn't see image stabilization problems if you can keep it still. Keeping it still is tough because of how light the phone is.

PHYSICAL BUTTONS:

This one is the deal killer for me if all phones responded like this store unit. Remember the buttons on the bottom of the Instinct that sometimes worked when pressed and sometimes didn't? Welcome back........
My Evo buttons never fail me. I literally had to press the physical "back" and "home" buttons over 5 times to get them to work. I took off pressure. I added pressure. I moved up. I moved down. Left. Right. Nothing changed it. Only a few times did it seem to respond correctly. Hopefully a calibration would fix it, but I was pushed for time and these buttons were making the entire experience very frustrating.


I did this quick impressions review mainly to share my experience with the physical buttons. I hope I just had a bad phone. I'll be monitoring everyone's experience with this issue and battery life before pulling the trigger and letting my EVO go.

[Dunpeal]

Its about time. Yea I had the Epic side by side with my EVO. Screen resolution/clarity is obvious with out a doubt. Tied with this yes it will have a major impact of the Video and Camera quality.

Three significant things the Epic has got going for itsself making it untouchable is the Super Amoled Screen, 3D graphics acceleration, and of course the phyical Keyboard.

The SCREEN SIZE of the EVO is something I cannot part with though. The kick stand is the other, and the HTC Sense. Newly added, is the Car Docking Mode, with the Sprint Car Kit is just absolutely fabulous.

[cruecu]

Originally Posted by Dunpeal

Its about time. Yea I had the Epic side by side with my EVO. Screen resolution/clarity is obvious with out a doubt. Tied with this yes it will have a major impact of the Video and Camera quality.

Three significant things the Epic has got going for itsself making it untouchable is the Super Amoled Screen, 3D graphics acceleration, and of course the phyical Keyboard.

The SCREEN SIZE of the EVO is something I cannot part with though. The kick stand is the other, and the HTC Sense. Newly added, is the Car Docking Mode, with the Sprint Car Kit is just absolutely fabulous.

You have a problem with the physical buttons on the Epic?

[UALOneKPlus]

Bummer about the physical buttons. I have the same issue every once in a while with the Samsung Moment...was hoping that would be fixed in the Epic. Very disappointing.

Agree 100% with you on the screen size. It's noticeably smaller.

[dejavu]

Well done!! Thanks for the comparison.

[jaescott]

For people who can't decide just do what I'm doing. Keep your evo and get a epic for wife/girlfriend! I played with the vibrant and i love that screen. But I'm "in love" with my evo...

[Dunpeal]

Originally Posted by cruecu

You have a problem with the physical buttons on the Epic?

I have a problem with the whole slider keyboard issue for the following reasons:

• After a period of time the sliding tracks start to break down resulting in a wobbling keyboard
  
• If they are using a ribbon cable to connect to the screen (more than likely they are), your wobbling keyboard will adventually start to pinch the ribbon cable - thus your keyboard will start to malfuntion forcing you to use the touch screen keyboard that is cluster fobic for those who do not have "small" hands and finger.

So be very gentle. There are people out there that operate slding keybaord like if they were slamming a door. Dont leave it laying anywhere open, the bed, the couch, and you happen to sit on it

Also, I can type with "less" effort on the EVO's HUGE touch screen vs a physical keyboard that you have to press the keys rather than just touching them.

If there was no keyboard, and a bigger screen, I would have taken one off my shelf and switched to it in a heart beat.

[hotis300boy]

I am REALLY looking forward to picking up the EPIC tomorrow and I seriously hope the touch buttons are not an issue cause that would SUCK and would be a deal breaker cause I dont have the patience when I am paying more money than my EVO to deal with such a stupid mistake lol

[everette25]

Button issue stinks. Yikes , like my old instinct ;-( I would find it hard for me to lose the realestate of my Evo for anything smaller just like I would find it hard to go from a super or regular amoled screen to a tft.. Now if they come out with an HTC 4.3 screen with a super amoled screen, then Mayb I will think of a switching but for now and a long time from now I will love and enjoy my Evo!!!

[hotis300boy]

I have an EVO too but lets see how I like the EPIC the screen is just too nice lol and I kind of welcome the hard keyboard back lol

[sel1965]

The buttons are fine.

[mpeters13]

One thing to bear in mind is the stupid claw security system that Sprint stores use to lock the devices down place foreign pressure on the edges of the screen. The samsung Instinct series devices suffered greatly for this reason, and I wouldn't expect this device to be much different.

I'm disappointed to hear that Samsung still hasn't worked out the annoying issues with their capacitive panels. Hot mess.

Looks like a great phone, but I'm not having too much buyers remorse with my EVO. Bluetooth is the only part of this phone that is absolutely horrible, but I've simply learned to work with out it.

Thanks for the comparisons. I'll have to run into a store and check it out, myself. Frankly, I've never been fond of physical keyboards, nor the stress they cause on my oversized, negroid hands.

[everette25]

Originally Posted by mpeters13

One thing to bear in mind is the stupid claw security system that Sprint stores use to lock the devices down place foreign pressure on the edges of the screen. The samsung Instinct series devices suffered greatly for this reason, and I wouldn't expect this device to be much different.

I'm disappointed to hear that Samsung still hasn't worked out the annoying issues with their capacitive panels. Hot mess.

Looks like a great phone, but I'm not having too much buyers remorse with my EVO. Bluetooth is the only part of this phone that is absolutely horrible, but I've simply learned to work with out it.

Thanks for the comparisons. I'll have to run into a store and check it out, myself. Frankly, I've never been fond of physical keyboards, nor the stress they cause on my oversized, negroid hands.

If u don't mind me asking ,what Bluetooth issues are you having with the evo? Mine works fine. Im using the Plotronics one that I got free with it at Best Buy..

[FishPony]

Originally Posted by Dunpeal

I have a problem with the whole slider keyboard issue for the following reasons:

• After a period of time the sliding tracks start to break down resulting in a wobbling keyboard
  
• If they are using a ribbon cable to connect to the screen (more than likely they are), your wobbling keyboard will adventually start to pinch the ribbon cable - thus your keyboard will start to malfuntion forcing you to use the touch screen keyboard that is cluster fobic for those who do not have "small" hands and finger.

Just wanted to point something out. At least on my TP2, If the ribbon cable from the screen to the keyboard gets pinched it would be the screen/touchscreen that stops working Not the keyboard. Now if the main board is under the screen and it's just the keyboard that slides out then that could be the case.

My only gripe with the epic is i wish it had a tilting screen or could stand up on the bottom like my TP2. Also the charging port on the top is STUPID. Imagine how annoying it will be making a call while charging the phone. Oh and Touchwiz.

I know my TP2 could get me by for another 6 months or longer but i'm due for an upgrade and it's going to be hard to NOT buy this phone. Maybe once i can put stock 2.2 on it.

[mpeters13]

Originally Posted by everette25

If u don't mind me asking ,what Bluetooth issues are you having with the evo? Mine works fine. Im using the Plotronics one that I got free with it at Best Buy..

It simply doesn't play nice with the builtin Bluetooth on my car. It connects, but I can't use it to place or accept calls. The address book also refuses to transfer. It got worse in 2.2.

Oh well. That is the only functionality I miss from the iPhone.