Keep my Thunderbolt or return it??

[Mag10286]

I got the Thunderbolt 10 days ago and so far I HATE it!!  Well, I love the screen and android over Iphone, but this phone has so many issues!

First, the battery thing is NOT a rumor. I stopped using my phone as much as I used to and I still charge it 4 times a day. Literally!

Second, I will not text using anything except Swype now. Although it is not pre-installed, I installed it myself. However, I can not use it in HTCs messaging (because of a reported bug that will not allow auto spacing) I had to get used to using handcent and even then it freezes. Whenever I restart my phone I have to disable Swype and then turn it back on or else it doesnt work. Every single time!

And my last major issue is the speaker phone. I use it a lot because my kids keep my hands occupied, however, it does not seem to be as loud on the TB as it was on my Droid.

I thought maybe mine was just defective, but after reading reviews, I'm not so sure.

Has anyone else had these problems?? Is there any ways to solve them?? Or should I just go ahead and make the return??

[cmsjarhead]

To be perfectly honest if you hate your phone right out of the box then your not going to like it long term.  Unfortunately this isn't an arranged marriage that your obligated to live with.

That said I have had my TB for approximately a week now and coming from the Incredible I really like it.  Yes it has battery issues (knew that when I got the phone)but, I have installed a Seidio 1700mAh battery which now provides me with about 7.5+ hrs of heavy use. 

Today I was on the phone for at least 2.5 hours, received about 120 emails, replied to about 20 or so using the phone, I use my phone for business so its set up for constant push sync.  I was nailed up to the 4G/LTE network all day as well but, no surfing.

I  also use my phone with a Bluetooth headset, nice little device if your hands are full, throughout the day which saves a little on the battery not using the speaker phone.  I just checked my battery and I still have 43% left.

If you like swype then get a Motorola phone, there's a new one coming out in a few weeks that's also 4G, I will guarantee it will have a its own set of issues...

I also own an iPhone for personal use and like it for its own set of capabilities.

Bottom line there are plenty of option out there that should not require to settle...

[GARY1955]

I noticed you stated you have the iPhone and the Thunderbolt, may I ask if you preper one over the other and if so what features on the iPhone are better than the Thunderbolt. 

By the way I just minutes ago got my Thunderbolt

[Tidbits]

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GARY1955 wrote:

I noticed you stated you have the iPhone and the Thunderbolt, may I ask if you preper one over the other and if so what features on the iPhone are better than the Thunderbolt. 

By the way I just minutes ago got my Thunderbolt

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They are pretty much the same to me aside from battery life and customization.  It's like comparing a Playstation 3 and a Xbox 360.  The app selection differs from each other, yet some titles are the same.

The iPhone 4 has considerable longer battery life, but it doesn't have widgets, and multitasking works a little differently, and not 100%(helps increase battery life).

[PJNC284]

4 times a day?  That would require never turning the screen off.  May have a bad battery.

As for Swype, which version are you using?  I'm using the version for the Evo and it works flawlessly with Handcent.

The speaker is meh.  You either need to have it turned wide open or lift the kickstand whenever you want to use it.

[Tidbits]

If you say you hate it... return it... why be stuck with something you hate?

[Mag10286]

I mostly hate it because of those 3 issues..

I hated my droid for the first month because I was so used to my blackberry.  I am mostly looking for information on how to fix the issues I have and see if anyone else was in the same situation as me.. Purchasing that Seidio 1700mAh might not be a bad idea for me.  Also, i never really stopped to look and see that the kick stand is blocking the speaker. I also read to turn 4G off to save battery life.  That could potentially fix 2 of my issues right there. I have only had the phone 10 days so I guess I shouldnt really be saying I "hate" it.  I actually LOVE the display, it's just all the other hiccups that are frustrating me. Plus, I think I am trying to force myself to like it, because now that I have something new, it will be hard to go back to my old phone.

[kizzle53]

What is the webite that you seen the Seidio 1700mAh? im interested

[Tidbits]

You said :

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Mag10286 wrote:

I got the Thunderbolt 10 days ago and so far I HATE it!!

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If you said that as your first line then it's best to return it.

[bobwhitlow]

There is a toll free verizon "sales" number, I mis-placed it. (Not the 922-0204). It will allow customers to upgrade when within 6 months on renewal.

Does anyone have it?

Thanks,

Bob

[cmsjarhead]

Sorry fat fingered it 1600mAh.
http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innocell-1600mAh-Extended-Life-ThunderBolt/dp/B004O0TGU2

[PJNC284]

their really isn't enough of a difference between the stock 1400mAh and the 1600mAh extended battery to justify the expense.  I think a couple reviewers managed to get maybe 20 more minutes of use and Seido is notorious for their batteries not matching the actual rating they claim.

[hartr87]

Hello, I don't what driod you had prior to receiving your Thunderbolt, but I started off with Verizon using a Driod Eris, at first I loved it and then it just didn't do what I wanted. I wanted more power and that was around the time the Driod X came out, so I was one of the first few to get it, and I love it.

My husband still uses the Driod Eris and he is having numerous issues with it, and we have contacted Verizon number of times, exchanged ect, so last week I got a call from Verizon giving us the chance to upgrade early, so thought lets try the new Thunderbolt and my husband can have my X, so got the Thunderbolt (love the 32mb memory card) I had the Thunderbolt 1 day and the camera sucked, I got the phone on my daughters birthday and we went out to celebrate the day and forgot my camera and the pictures came out orange, ok can try fixing that issue. So wasn't a deal breaker, as we all know the battery life SUCKS, so day two of Thunderbolt, came to strong decision was not keeping it, I tried uploading 10 pictures to facebook @ 1pm I was able to upload 1, by 9pm that evening the other 9 still didn't upload. I also use to the swype typing was something I wanted I have got use to it and it was adjustment trying to go without,

Honestly, myself I don't like the THunderbolt, its a newer version of the Driod Eris, wasn't going to work for me, so I turned back on my X and returned the Thunderbolt, and couldn't be happier. The sales woman told me that a new version of my X will be coming soon, but I am not jumping on it right away, I will wait. My phone is perfect, I have it all and to prove its worth I downloaded 40 pictures to facebook within 10 minutes compaired to the difference or issue had with thunderbolt not uploading. Battery life it wonderful.

Really like others already answered to you, you can't make yourself like it. Other's have no issues and are happy, but that's everyones choice, you have to decide what works for you, hopefully with everyones help and options helps you make your decision, but you only have 14 days to return phone it that ever was an option. Good luck..

[zecks420]

There is a free 4g switch app in the android market. This will save you about 20% battery life when not using 4g. Also there is a 1750mh battery to purchase from multiple sites online for the Thunderbolt. This will give you a extra 20% compared to the stock battery. I was able to purchase a 2850mh battery from a corporate verizon store thats made for the TB... It comes with a extra back to accomidate the 2x size battery. This is not as bulky as I thought it would be and does give double the battery life. The only draw back is they dont make a case to accomidate the different back on the phone. Soon they will have one. With the 4g turned off and the 1750 battery in the TB you should be able to get more use than the droids...  I think if any of the droids actually had 4g service you would see a even worse battery than the TB. 4g does take alot more juice but its literally 10 times the speed. I love my TB and would never take it back. I think even with charging it 4 times a day you might just have a defective battery as well. It should get 4 hours with heavy use but with those two improvements you will up that to around 8. 

[zecks420]

oops wrong post... lol. I am sorry to hear your camera issue. My camera on my TB is fantastic. No color issues or clarity. It is better than the iphone and my old Galaxy s Vibrant which had a amazing camera. You might have a defective unit. 

[mawhiteley]

I haven't had any problems with my photos coming out orange. Maybe you had the sepia option turned on? The only issue I've had thus far was the short battery life, but I solved that with purchasing the larger battery/cover from Verizon. Last week they had a good deal on it, so my husband and I each got one. I'm really enjoying my phone. Granted, I had an LG EnV2 prior to this, so it's my first smart phone and first touch screen experience, but it works fine with me. I haven't tried SWYPE yet but am considering it. I think the biggest adjustment with typing/texing is that I am used to the EnV which has two space bars on the QWERTY and I was accustomed to using the space bar that was closest to which ever letter I had typed last after two years+  of using that phone . I end up hitting other things a lot, but I'm gradually getting used to it.

[zecks420]

There is a free 4g switch app in the android market. This will save you about 20% battery life when not using 4g. Also there is a 1750mh battery to purchase from multiple sites online for the Thunderbolt. This will give you a extra 20% compared to the stock battery. I was able to purchase a 2850mh battery from a corporate verizon store thats made for the TB... It comes with a extra back to accomidate the 2x size battery. This is not as bulky as I thought it would be and does give double the battery life. The only draw back is they dont make a case to accomidate the different back on the phone. Soon they will have one. With the 4g turned off and the 1750 battery in the TB you should be able to get more use than the droids...  I think if any of the droids actually had 4g service you would see a even worse battery than the TB. 4g does take alot more juice but its literally 10 times the speed. I love my TB and would never take it back. I think even with charging it 4 times a day you might just have a defective battery as well. It should get 4 hours with heavy use but with those two improvements you will up that to around 8

[cmsjarhead]

I would agree with have I not experienced the increased longevity. This is a business tool for me so it's heavily utilized. Today my phone power lasted for 15hrs before the battery indicator turned yellow at 20% power remaining.
Approximate usage:
100-150 emails with about 40-60 read and 10-15 replied to on the phone.
Two hours of total talk time
12or so texts
A ton of new message and calendar notification.
Bluetooth on for 10 or so hours.
Entirely in 4g network.

So the extra 200mAh due make a difference.

[androidburn]

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cmsjarhead wrote:
I would agree with have I not experienced the increased longevity. This is a business tool for me so it's heavily utilized. Today my phone power lasted for 15hrs before the battery indicator turned yellow at 20% power remaining.
Approximate usage:
100-150 emails with about 40-60 read and 10-15 replied to on the phone.
Two hours of total talk time
12or so texts
A ton of new message and calendar notification.
Bluetooth on for 10 or so hours.
Entirely in 4g network.

So the extra 200mAh due make a difference.

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Good for you, hopefully the extra 200mAH will last, which is usually the problem I've had with the Sedio batteries.

That usage isn't tremendous, to be honest. To download 150 emails, read about 50 and respond to a dozen? 12 texts. No web surfing? That's not a lot of time at all. The problem is that once you use the phone for the web, maps, apps using 4g, you're in trouble. HTC designed this phone so that users would have to buy the extended battery - making it smaller than the battery plagued original EVO was either one of the world's dumbest decisions or one that may have been intentional. Fortunately I am almost always near a charging source during the day at the office. But for most people, it's always the HTC game of "will my battery run out while I'm out of the office from just a little 4G surfing?"

[marw]

I've had it for 3 days now and have spent a lot of time tweaking it to preserve battery life. The first day, I barely got 6 hours, yesterday 13, and today it barely made it to 12. My major problem appears to be that I am in a so-called "fringe area" - for some reason known only to Verizon, I live in an irregularly shaped "island" of about 20 square blocks that is an extended 4G area, totally surrounded by 4G, which means that I keep bouncing back between 3G and 4G, which sucks the battery to nothing. Also, the signal at home has always been terrible (2 bars max) which has been the case for every Verizon cellphone I've owned. Today, mid-day, I turned off 4G, but I haven't been through a full day with that setting, so I will see how it is tomorrow. I use a Bluetooth earpiece, but have decided to turn off Bluetooth unless I am in the car or only when I need to make a call. Haven't figured out whether it is better to use Wi-fi rather than using the Verizon wireless network, but I've read that the TB won't search for wireless signal when on Wi-fi, which is what I did yesterday, so maybe that is the better choice when at home.

Bottom line, if I can't get the battery issues resolved (I had a BlackBerry before), I may go with an iPhone, much as I hate the thought of going with an Apple product. Other than the battery, I really love the phone and the functionality, but I haven't really been using the phone heavily. I bought a second battery, but it is a pain to have to change it just to get through the day. I really would like to keep this phone if at all possible, but I have at least another week to decide.

[AZSALUKI]

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marw wrote:

I've had it for 3 days now and have spent a lot of time tweaking it to preserve battery life. The first day, I barely got 6 hours, yesterday 13, and today it barely made it to 12. My major problem appears to be that I am in a so-called "fringe area" - for some reason known only to Verizon, I live in an irregularly shaped "island" of about 20 square blocks that is an extended 4G area, totally surrounded by 4G, which means that I keep bouncing back between 3G and 4G, which sucks the battery to nothing. Also, the signal at home has always been terrible (2 bars max) which has been the case for every Verizon cellphone I've owned. Today, mid-day, I turned off 4G, but I haven't been through a full day with that setting, so I will see how it is tomorrow. I use a Bluetooth earpiece, but have decided to turn off Bluetooth unless I am in the car or only when I need to make a call. Haven't figured out whether it is better to use Wi-fi rather than using the Verizon wireless network, but I've read that the TB won't search for wireless signal when on Wi-fi, which is what I did yesterday, so maybe that is the better choice when at home.

Bottom line, if I can't get the battery issues resolved (I had a BlackBerry before), I may go with an iPhone, much as I hate the thought of going with an Apple product. Other than the battery, I really love the phone and the functionality, but I haven't really been using the phone heavily. I bought a second battery, but it is a pain to have to change it just to get through the day. I really would like to keep this phone if at all possible, but I have at least another week to decide.

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give it a full day with the 4g radio off. i was literally going to return it when i decided to just turn off the 4g radio for a day. i've had it off now for 3 days. i EASILY get through a day now. i get about 15 hours of up time and 3 hours of awake time (actual use time). right now i'm at 10:27 of up time and 1:38 of awake time and have 49% left. i have GREAT 4g coverage, but even with great coverage i could only get 2 hours of use and maybe 6-8 hours of idle time, so i just turned it off. i just turn it back on if i want to download somethinig large. also, the reason i was going to return it is because i went to a friend's house where it's very poor coverage. i had 4g on and it literally went from a full charge to dead in 5 hours. i had made one phone call. so poor coverage does kill it quick. 

and you're correct about wifi. if you have a strong wifi network at home, turn it on. it's easier on the phone than the 3g network. i'm now THRILLED with the battery life. i will rarely need to use it for more than 3 hours in a day and if i do then i'm ok with charging it a second time. fyi....i have the stock battery, no task killer, very bright screen display setting, and pull emails every 15 minutes.