Wondering if the Droid X is a Good Smartphone to Start with

[NotSure]

Hey-

I have been using an old MOTO cell phone.  It is on its last leg and in looking at the phones I see the Droid X and the good reviews it gets.  Does anybody have any suggestions for someone who has never had a smartphone regarding me getting the Droid X?  Also, do you think the problems in Japan will affect being able to get this phone fixed or parts in the near future?

any experience with this phone and recommendations would be appreciated.

[MtnDweller]

This is my first smartphone. I'm loving it so far.

Tina

[NotSure]

thanks.  You care to share in a post here or a PM why.  If you have experience with smartphones, what is so different between this phone and the others you have had.  If I have not had a smart phone, I liked the keyboard because I have kind of large fingers, but I would love to hear why you like it so much and if you think the learning curve for a first-timer would be kind of hard. How have you dealt with the poor battery?  I read some buy an "extended battery."  What all can it do?  I read about it and watched the videos but I do not understand a lot of terminology.  I like and learn from hearing other's experience.  I have had an old MOTO small cell phone for a long time and a MIFI that has never worked right, no matter how much tech support.  that has been my internet connection for abut 6 years now and it is really bad so I am looking forward to having a phone that will allow me to sub the internet. is the screen big enough to see things on it or do most websites have special sites just for this phone?  What kind of package do you have with your phone?  Is it all expensive?  I have never even sent a text message so it should be a neat experience if I do get one.

Thanks so much for any additional information.

[NotSure]

Sorry, I just read and it registered that this is your first smartphone.  So you will be able to really give me an idea what has been difficult for you to learn and what has not.  Has the 4G been a good thing?  I think it is a 4G.

Thanks again!  

[MtnDweller]

I bought a CPO and it didn't come with a User's Guide, so I'm really having to "find" my way around. It hasn't been too terribly difficult to figure stuff out. I consider it a challenge and I like challenges.

I live in the sticks and the 3G works well here.

Tina

[Jax_Omen]

Droid X is 3g-only.

I'd say any high-end smartphone is a good entry-level smartphone. I don't like the low/midrange smartphones, why pay the same monthly fee to get a significantly worse user experience?

As for the Droid X, it's just as good as the Incredible IMO. It's last year's tech, but it's good last year's tech.

[NotSure]

JAX-

We are on the same page.  I cannot see me paying the same in monthly fees for a smartphone I can barely get my fingers on the keys.  the keyboard is the one main reason I was initially attracted to the Droid x.  I was confused why the X has such better review than the P (I think it is the Droid P  or Pro I saw first).

[Wildman]

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MtnDweller wrote:

I bought a CPO and it didn't come with a User's Guide, so I'm really having to "find" my way around. It hasn't been too terribly difficult to figure stuff out. I consider it a challenge and I like challenges.

I live in the sticks and the 3G works well here.

Tina

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Droid X is only compatible with 3G network.

You can download for free from here..

http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/mot_droid_x/droidx.pdf

http://support.vzw.com/clc/devices/index.html?p=5369&m=

Also you can use interactive menu here... http://support.vzw.com/swf/droid_x/simulator.html

[Wildman]

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MtnDweller wrote:

I bought a CPO and it didn't come with a User's Guide, so I'm really having to "find" my way around. It hasn't been too terribly difficult to figure stuff out. I consider it a challenge and I like challenges.

I live in the sticks and the 3G works well here.

Tina

---

Droid X is only compatible with 3G network.

You can download for free from here..

http://cache.vzw.com/multimedia/mim/mot_droid_x/droidx.pdf

http://support.vzw.com/clc/devices/index.html?p=5369&m=

Also you can use interactive menu here... http://support.vzw.com/swf/droid_x/simulator.html

[MtnDweller]

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Wildman wrote:

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MtnDweller wrote:

I bought a CPO and it didn't come with a User's Guide, so I'm really having to "find" my way around. It hasn't been too terribly difficult to figure stuff out. I consider it a challenge and I like challenges.

I live in the sticks and the 3G works well here.

Tina

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Droid X is only compatible with 3G network.

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I didn't say otherwise.

Tina

[MtnDweller]

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MtnDweller wrote:

I bought a CPO and it didn't come with a User's Guide, so I'm really having to "find" my way around. It hasn't been too terribly difficult to figure stuff out. I consider it a challenge and I like challenges.

I live in the sticks and the 3G works well here.

Tina

---

Droid X is only compatible with 3G network.

[NotSure]

The sticks?  Do you know if you can pick up 4G or is 3G it for now?  what is a CPO?

I am looking forward to my first smartphone.  I would have though it would have been an iPhone but for some reason they have not caught my attention after they first came out and I had one for 2 weeks and returned it.

[MtnDweller]

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NotSure wrote:

The sticks?  Do you know if you can pick up 4G or is 3G it for now?  what is a CPO?

I am looking forward to my first smartphone.  I would have though it would have been an iPhone but for some reason they have not caught my attention after they first came out and I had one for 2 weeks and returned it.

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Sticks.....as in......the woods...middle of nowhere! The Droid X is 3G only, so I'm not concerned with 4G at this point.. CPO = Certified Pre Owned.

I've been wanting an iPhone since they came out years ago. Now that I finally have the opportunity to get one, I passed.

Tina

[lamarrk]

The Droid X is a great Smartphone.  I had an iPhone for 2 years before switching to the Droid X and Verizon.

I like it much much better than the old  iPhone 3G I had.

I'm a computer guy so I researched the heck out of it before I made the jump.  At that time, the Droid X, IMHO, was the best Android on the market.   If you can wait, there are better/faster phones in the pipeline.  Dual-core phones should be available this summer, if not sooner.

What made the X the best choice for me:  

8 gig internal storage

Came with 16 gig microSD card 

1 ghz processor 

4.3 inch screen

[mortb]

You can't go wrong with the Droid X; however, I understand that they are coming out with a Droid X2, so you might want to check into that. The screen is large, and watching videos on it are terrific. The virtual keyboard is great for large fingers (like mine) and swype is great. You might want to go to the Motorola site and download the manual and check that out and check on the X2 which might be coming out soon. 

[NotSure]

mortb-

thanks on the heads up.  Have you sen the Droidx2 in person?

[droidsw]

Surfing the web is no prob. Some sites do default and load the mobile version, but you can usually find the link for the full version. Double-tapping the display will automatically enlarge the print. I remember seeing a first generation iphone and wondered how those folks could make out anything on a full version website. A much better experience on the Droid X and its large display.

Once you try Swype, you may love it. If you do, you can have fingers the size of your big toe and it won't matter. I tried Swype when I first bought my X and have never used the manual keyboard. Google "swype" if you aren't aware of what it is.

I wouldn't call it a "poor" battery. With no web browsing, game playing, etc, you can expect "normal" battery life. It takes a lot of juice to power this large display. I get around that by having charging cords at home, work and my vehicle.

The data package I have is one year old. I can't comment on current plans being offered, but comparing to what friends are paying for their plans with other carriers, Verizon falls pretty much in the middle.

Good first smart phone? Sure. You might be interested to know that the Droid X is approaching end of life. That means new phones won't be produced and sold and there are questions/suspicions lurking as to whether the X will continue to receive software updates. I think it will. For the novice, end of life means there are a lot of more powerful phones coming out soon and with each the Droid X will be knocked down a rung from its previous perch of best smartphone on the market.

Either way, don't let end of life even factor into your decision.

The main detail you might want to be aware of is the aforementioned 4G availability now. Droid X is 3G and that is something you might want to consider before purchasing it.

[NotSure]

Droidsw-

Ah I thought the ads were saying "Skype" but it is Swype?  I will have to see what it is.  When I saw the keyboard on the Droid X I thought; ":cool, there are smartphones that have a keyboard my fingers will hit the right keys on."  this was the main problem with the first iPhone.  When I first got the first one that came out I had no idea it took a "heat source" to trigger the keys so I was looking for a stick to use so I would hit the right keys.  lol  I learned quickly that a stick wold not cut it.  I needed smaller fingers or another phone.

thanks

[NotSure]

Droid-

Ah I thought this was a new smartphone.  I am always behind the times.  The 3G/4G is hard for me because according to one Verizon map Salt Lake City, UT does not have 4G but compared to another Verizon map with multiple red tones, they have 4G extended and 4G (the top 4G, I forget what it is called) and areas of 3G.  I do not understand either map and I am not sure most Verizon tech support people do either.  I have no idea why there are 2 maps that are supposed to show the 3G/4G network.  So are these new phones going to be the same but just 4G compatible?  Not 4G and 3G depending on where you are.  the last thing I need is to get a phone that costs this much and have them stop any updates.  I am glad you told me because this is something I do need to think of.

Have you heard anything about the 4GUSB devices?  Do you think the crises in Japan will have an impact on what is coming out and if what is coming out will be able to be serviced in the near future? if this Droid X smartphone might not have updates, what are people buying?  I am so out of it when it comes to this topic, when we talk about being in the middle of technology like this, it really confuses a novice. 

why are you not able to comment on your package?  Most people have their package listed under their screen name.  I am not sure who put mine where it is but it is not correct. I hope it was not me.lol

[droidsw]

Droidsw NEVER said the software updates will stop. That is SPECULATION among the small group of obsessed and intense users that are constantly worrying and complaining about that and other software issues (such as an unlocked bootloader) which you might see mentioned, but have no idea what they are referring to.

If my Droid X NEVER receives another software update, I will be fine with that. Updates are intended to resolve any known software issues and to provide enhancements. My phone performs great and doesn't need "updating".

4G coverage is going to improve in coming months. 4G phones are 3G/4G compatible, so you wouldn't be "stuck" without coverage if 4G coverage in your area is sporadic, or unavailable. The best way to get a feel for this is to talk to friends, co-workers, etc., about their smartphones and any of them who might already have 4G phones.

My data plan is the $30 unlimited data plan. I've heard that plan is going away and not having checked what plans are available, I said I couldn't comment on data plan costs.

One can only speculate about how the events in Japan is going to impact parts and manufacturing.

[NotSure]

thanks.

I was just curious what all the info meant to someone like me just looking now for a smartphone and thought the Droid X was a new phone.

I think that plan is excellent assuming it covers text, calls, internet (if indeed you can connect to the internet using the Droid X).  do you have any recommendations for someone like me who have 2 product updates (cell and the MIFI -data device)?   would I just look at the online store and try to use my New Every Two that I have  for the phone and the data device?

[Cody21]

the $30 / mo.  Unlimited Data plan does NOT include Texting.  You can purchase a tiered texting plan, or pay for individual texts (both incoming and outgoing).  These "tiers" are all documented on Verizon's site under their "PLANS".

Frankly, I really think you (NOTSURE) should go into a verizon store and actualy spend some time playing with the various SmartPhones. Play with the virtual Keyboard vs. the true keyboards. See what your own comfort level is. I have friends that have Smartphones, but for SOME of my friends I would never recommend the DROID X. Its flexibility and customization can get SOME of my less-tech-savy friends in real trouble, leading to frustration. (e.g., leaving certain features turned ON can lead to a rapid battery drain!)  For those friends who just want it all to work without needing to understand what's running, I would probably just recommend getting an iPhone as it is more 'locked down' than the DROID X - hence suggested target audience is the "soccer mom"... (not to degrade soccer moms, just the point being you don't have to think too much using an iPhone.)  For many of us though, it's precisely that flexibility/customization feature that we LOVE about the DROID X ...   YMMV.

[NotSure]

Cody-

Yes, I appreciate your input.  this is not the first place I started to look for a phone.  I have been on this hunt for about a year and have been in several Verizon stores, ATT stores, Sprint stores, Apple stores, several forums.  I just ended up on Verizon at this time.  Actually looking at the phones, like I did when the iPhone came out, I miss a lot of situations I could find myself in.  Looking helps some but it can lead to some frustration too because I can't "use them" like one needs to in order to really know what neds to be turned off and on , etc.  I do understand, actually seeing them in person helps.  what I am up against now is all the changes I keep hearing that are talking place and not knowing what will be here and what will not.  what will be able to be fixed and what could cause problems fixing.  I still use y MiFI, although sooooo slow in my area, but I would have never bee on the internet if it was not for the MiFI.  I have had  a ton of tech support on it, but still I pay $around 60/mo and that is a lot for me.   Is it worth it?  I am not sure.  

I am not sure how the changes that are gong to occur play into me looking for a phone at this time or if this is an area that everybody needs to take into consideration when they are looking for a smartphone or a cell phone in general.