I won't get fooled again...

[rickhansen]

Had a DroidX. Great battery, excellent signal, everything on and about the phone worked. Loved Verizon and spent more time and money in my local Verizon store than my wife did shopping for the kids at Wal Mart. Got unlimited data and enjoyed it so much I signed up my wife and got her a data plan, too.
Bought into the hype about 4G and couldn't wait for the Thunderbolt to arrive with the blazing fast speeds. Was first in line the day the phone arrived and extended my contract (again) for the latest and greatest. Like many of you, I've spent this past year waiting. Waiting for a fix, waiting for an update or on hold waiting for a Customer Service Rep...
The Thunderbolt I own has never had a consistent 4G signal and I have resigned myself to the fact, it never will. So now I have a 3G phone that is unbelievably unreliable and can barley go a full day with a full charge. But, it does have a "kickstand..."
So here we go again, the latest and greatest are about to arrive - the "Razor" and the "Nexus." The hype has again begun and I watch those commercials on TV wondering if I should spend $299 and extend my contract for another two years. Verizon promises blazingly fast data on their awesome 4G network, but isn't that what I signed up for already?
I think I'll be better off taking the $299 and buying out my contract, heading to Wal Mart on my wife's next shopping spree and buying a "burn phone..." At least I'll know what I'm getting.

[RMLJ]

This has nothing to do with you leaving Verizon but when I first got my bolt I got maybe 4 hours before needing to plug it in. Now after the latest update I can get over 24. The other day it was unplugged for 25 hours and I still had 22% battery left I believeit was. I do not use 4g very much unless I'm downloading something large but Bluetooth is on all of the time and I listen to music at least 8 to 10 hours through Bluetooth. You may want to go through your settings and possibly up the amount of time between syncing different accounts and apps. That is if you keep your phone. Next time I upgrade I am going to wait till the phone I get is out for a while before buying though....

[Wildman]

If you think the TB has issues you shouldn't even consider the Razr because the concept of a 4G device with a dual core and high resolution screen sounds like a dream but with a non-removable battery I do not see a good outcome.  I see that device having issues from the gate.

Now as for the Thunderbolt I am happy with my device because going in I did not expect the battery life being great but in my opinion the device isnt as vad as it has been imaged to be be, basically the battery life is a bit light but nothing a extended battery did not solve and as for data the biggest issue that I have had is when using Mobile Hotspot because it goes dorment from time to time but with the 4G fired up in my area finally I am going through my testing stages again and it seems to help....  Only time will tell...

[budone]

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Wildman wrote:

If you think the TB has issues you shouldn't even consider the Razr because the concept of a 4G device with a dual core and high resolution screen sounds like a dream but with a non-removable battery I do not see a good outcome.  I see that device having issues from the gate.

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Non removable battery??? UGH How much juice it have?

[Wildman]

Checked out a number of reviews but no one has gave the specifics for the battery but due to the thinness I do not see a high capacity battery and the iphone design concept is really up in the air for me...

http://youtu.be/rl0a7aXFKNg or http://www.bgr.com/2011/11/07/motorola-droid-razr-review/

Also you can see the first reported Screen Issue.....http://youtu.be/rl0a7aXFKNg , Not good out the box...

[Ann154]

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budone wrote:

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Wildman wrote:

If you think the TB has issues you shouldn't even consider the Razr because the concept of a 4G device with a dual core and high resolution screen sounds like a dream but with a non-removable battery I do not see a good outcome.  I see that device having issues from the gate.

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Non removable battery??? UGH How much juice it have?

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According to the specs, it is a 1780 mAh.

http://www.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-razr-specs

http://news.verizonwireless.com/news/2011/10/pr2011-10-18.html

[Wildman]

Thanks Ann, I totally missed that article, hope the extra juice helps but I still think the battery situation is a bad design flaw...  I had to replace my Droid X battery because of bad cells but with the RAZR you would have to replace the phone... 

Rut I have to say the thinnest is nice but the wideness may be a issue with any user with small hands...  NOT me of course..

[budone]

That would get you through a day with a regular 4g phone. But a dual processor and all..... I see a train wreck coming.

Have a great day Ann154, Wildman and everyone else.....

[Dnakaman]

It always amazes me that people complain about battery life.

Seriously...How long do you expect a battery powering this amount of tech to last?

You are basically carrying around a mini laptop computer (how long do laptop batteries last?)

Granted, I understand the need for as much battery life as possible, but realistically, battery technology limits useful battery life.

Lastest usable battery technology is Lithium Polymer batteries, they offer the most amount of battery life for the amount of space they use. 

Some here are probably too young to remember but when cell phones first came out, you basically had to carry around a small motorcycle battery to power them (Nickel Cadmium).

Sure you can get more battery life...just use a bigger battery...ala extended batteries...but then people complain about the "bulk" of the phone and that's it fugly.

People want thinner, faster, all the bells and whistles...problem is...battery technology limits what can be done.  Electric cars were invented a long time ago, but it was not until recent battery technology was developed that hybird cars even became viable.

A non removable battery allows manufacturers to put more power in a confined space (Iphones, new razr) and since most people are around some type of power source (i.e. computer, car lighter plug, wall outlet), you can keep them pretty well charged up.  However, if you are in some type of situation where you are not around a power source, then a non removable battery type phone is probably not your best bet unless you have some way to charge the phone externally (i.e solar charger).

Anyways, off my soap box now, just my two cents.  Once someone invents a fusion power source the size of a nickel, all your worries will be gone... but then again, maybe a battery lasting 100 years won't be long enough then????

[Wildman]

Users usually buy a device for the look or just to say they have latest and greatest and then complain about the battery, screen, design, software of any bug they find, I just like to point out the commonsense factor..

My view is that the concept of adding more and more power into theses devices make no sense and also adding other power demanded items (Smackware ) when a developer already knows that the power is already insufficient to last. On the same note that these device has became so power intensive that a user cant even use their device while they are charging the device because the charger only supplies enough to charge device or keep the power on.

Another thing is that due to the device requiring so much power that the battery cells are regularly getting burned out because they most devices chargers cant keep battery charged when the device is on.  I am not one to care about adding bulk because I have had the extended battery for every device I ever owned, some I never used the stock battery because I acknowledged the inadequate power that it supplies.

Its getting to the point its like putting a battery from a pinto in a simi truck and expecting the vehicle to work as designed.  Also when a device is working on insufficient power users get the freezing and rebooting issue that a number complain about, this usually cause overheating of CPU as well...

[AZSALUKI]

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rickhansen wrote:
Had a DroidX. Great battery, excellent signal, everything on and about the phone worked. Loved Verizon and spent more time and money in my local Verizon store than my wife did shopping for the kids at Wal Mart. Got unlimited data and enjoyed it so much I signed up my wife and got her a data plan, too.
Bought into the hype about 4G and couldn't wait for the Thunderbolt to arrive with the blazing fast speeds. Was first in line the day the phone arrived and extended my contract (again) for the latest and greatest. Like many of you, I've spent this past year waiting. Waiting for a fix, waiting for an update or on hold waiting for a Customer Service Rep...
The Thunderbolt I own has never had a consistent 4G signal and I have resigned myself to the fact, it never will. So now I have a 3G phone that is unbelievably unreliable and can barley go a full day with a full charge. But, it does have a "kickstand..."
So here we go again, the latest and greatest are about to arrive - the "Razor" and the "Nexus." The hype has again begun and I watch those commercials on TV wondering if I should spend $299 and extend my contract for another two years. Verizon promises blazingly fast data on their awesome 4G network, but isn't that what I signed up for already?
I think I'll be better off taking the $299 and buying out my contract, heading to Wal Mart on my wife's next shopping spree and buying a "burn phone..." At least I'll know what I'm getting.

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why wonder if you should spend $299? have you ever considered just waiting for a month or so, before you buy the device? maybe check out some real life reviews of the device? i'm still trying to figure out how you got, and are going to get upgrade pricing so often? the X launched in july of 2010....the tbolt in april of 2011 ....and here it is 8 months later and you're thinking of an upgrade????? what am i missing here?

for the record, my LTE coverage is fantastic. i often don't use it as it does drain the battery FAST. i do like the option though and turn it on when i'm downloading updates or large files. we will get better battery life when we accept HUGE devices. the problem is that people want larger screens and better specs, while also wanting a smaller device. look at the size of batteries in laptops and tablets......and we expect our handheld device to get the same or more life out of them??? 

even the iphone's battery life has suffered since the 4s added so many "android like" features. if you want a battery that will last for days, then a simple non smart phone is what you need. my son has the lg octane. he texts CONSTANTLY and talks on it often. it lasts 2-3 days easily on one charge.

[rickhansen]

Glad to hear your device works great! If mine did as well, I'd be fairly happy, too.

I got my DroidX when my wife's phone was ready for an upgrade. Verizon had a two-for-one promo going on, and as much as I liked my Eris, a bigger screen seemed like a good thing for my aging eyes. Both great phones and served me well.

I have 5 lines with Verizon, and because how the contract dates are scattered, I have the opportunity to up grade one or more nearly on an annual basis. I have one qualified line right now and may or may not use the upgrade to solve my problem. Like many Tbolt owners, I have worked out a system to take care of the battery issue - I've got chargers at my office, on my night stand, in my car, kitchen counter and my office at home. The only time the thing isn't plugged in, is when it's in my pocket.

My problem is, my "smart phone" is not a toy - it's not an Mp3 player, a mobile movie theater, something to play games on to pass the time or surf the internet. The ONLY reason I upgraded was the Tbolt's ability to have a telephone conversation, put them on speaker and open a browser to view an on-line document and discuss business.  Kept me from carrying around a laptop with a wireless card. And the phone works wonderfully for that purpose - except for the inconsistancies in the data signal... and the earlier reboot problem.... oh, and text messages going to someone else in your phone book. And when it locks up, you just pull the battery and reboot. Easy fix, right? Ouch, I just remembered - was the security flaw with the last update ever resolved?

Right now, I've configured my Tbolt to be a 3G phone only - even though I'm in a solid LTE area. I don't mind having 3G only - what I care about is not having a reliable data connection AT ALL, even with the phone forced into it's current state.

Yeah, I bought into the hype, bought the phone to early and paid three times as much for it as someone who waited six months...

But like I said, I won't be fooled again.

[amberliciousCA]

I cannot believe this forum - its like somebody peeked into my life and wrote my life story... title of the book - HTC ThunderBolt SUCKS SO BAD!!!!

I have had the worst 6 months - living in wireless HELL at the hands of Verizon Wireless and the worst customer service reps ever; and the HTC ThunderBolt.

Worst part to me - the customer service reps totally act like i'm the ONLY person with ThunderBolt issues - like i'm making it up. This forum alone proves its a terrible phone, and Verizon should step up and take responsibility for this cluster-frick of a product.

I am relieved that I am indeed, not crazy and that I have ordered the new iPhone through AT&T.

Cannot wait for it to come in the mail - i will be singing and dancing as I port out and tell Verizon where to shove it.

[Wildman]

@amberliciousCA

Ok I dont get how going to a worst network and customer service will resolve anything, I may have issues at times with my TB but basically it hasnt been bad enough to make me concider dealing with AT&T bad service...   Also you could not pay me to carry a iPhone because that device is such a simple, basic device but of course each to their own..

If Verizon resolve the data issue I wouldnt have any complaints about my device....

Good Luck with AT&T...

[AZSALUKI]

what is this data issue youare all talking about anyway? i haven't had any issues (well.....three times. once, they were working on towers and the other 2 times it just was in and out for about 2-3 hours....but not bad for 6 months i think??).

[Wildman]

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AZSALUKI wrote:

what is this data issue youare all talking about anyway? i haven't had any issues (well.....three times. once, they were working on towers and the other 2 times it just was in and out for about 2-3 hours....but not bad for 6 months i think??).

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I am assuming that this question was directed at my statement, if so the data issue I have when using Mobile Hotspot, the data regularly loose connection by it going dormant and force me to have to cycle airplane mode to get it back and sometimes I simply have to restart to get it to restore.

Before assuming it could be hardware or device related, I have excluded this because I have 2 TB and a Droid X and have experienced this no matter what device I am using.

[AZSALUKI]

ahhh....i've only used hotspot a couple of times so i guess i haven't had the problem.

[Wildman]

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AZSALUKI wrote:

ahhh....i've only used hotspot a couple of times so i guess i haven't had the problem.

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It does it when just using the device also but it really act up when I am using Hotspot..

[nosynths]

I'm in the camp that absolutely loves my Tbolt.  I had an Eris before this and this sooo blows it away.

I see posts on here where people have had their phones replaced mulitple times and still complain

about customer service.  Maybe I'm just lucky but my phone rocks!

[Tdeglow]

Wildman you took the words out of my mouth lol...I have issues with my TB once in a while...acts sluggish sometimes, or just the batterylife in general...but overall it is a good phone...OK an Iphone can last all day on it's 3G coverage and minimal apps...and Siri can tell you where to hide a dead body..but seriously...Verizon has, hands down, the best 3G and 4G LTE coverage anywhere. AT&T is spotty period...good luck and see you in a year or so when you switch back Amber...