OT - Android phones abroad

[happypig]

I know a few of you streetwise young 'uns have got them there Anderoid gizmos. I'm thinking of getting one to replace my cak nokia and would like to know 2 things :

1. can you turn data off but leave the phone on, so that I don't inadvertantly get stuck with data charges abroad ?

2. can you download maps in order to use the navigation app without having to load them "on the fly" ?

cheers

 

[gullshark]

1) yes
2) yes

 

[happypig]

Thanks. So which is the one to get ?

 

[gullty]

sgs2 says google.

 

[brightn'ove]

i recently bought the HTC sensation, absolutely fantastic phone. I used to have an iphone 3GS but this is so much slicker and faster, plus you can customise the crap out of it (if you so wish - if not it is pretty awesome left alone).

the Sensation and the samsung galaxy s 2 are pretty much equal but for ease of use i think the sensation takes it and the galaxy s 2 has a pretty terrible battery life.

also - you can have an optional 'button' on your home screen which lets you turn roaming data on and off with ease

 

[happypig]

i recently bought the HTC sensation, absolutely fantastic phone. I used to have an iphone 3GS but this is so much slicker and faster, plus you can customise the crap out of it (if you so wish - if not it is pretty awesome left alone).

the Sensation and the samsung galaxy s 2 are pretty much equal but for ease of use i think the sensation takes it and the galaxy s 2 has a pretty terrible battery life.

also - you can have an optional 'button' on your home screen which lets you turn roaming data on and off with ease

£400 !
ouch !

 

[brightn'ove]

If you want a good android phone expect to spend a bit or get a contract, my girlfriend has the HTC wildfire s, its a lot smaller and cheaper.

 

[Frutos]

HTC Sensation.

 

[happypig]

If you want a good android phone expect to spend a bit or get a contract, my girlfriend has the HTC wildfire s, its a lot smaller and cheaper.

Yeah, from reading a few reviews it looks like I'm going to have to spend a bit. First step, therefore, was taking Mrs H a cup of tea in bed this morning (you have to do a bit of spade work).

 

[Mileoakman]

I've got an Orange San Francisco Android phone on Pay as You Go and it only cost £75. No doubt other more expensive ones are more whizzy but it does everything I want, (including Tapatalk for NSC) and you can download all the usual apps. Had it about 6 months now and not a spot of bother. Oh and yes you can turn off data roaming and I've got Google maps running on mine.

 

[sten_super]

I know a few of you streetwise young 'uns have got them there Anderoid gizmos. I'm thinking of getting one to replace my cak nokia and would like to know 2 things :

1. can you turn data off but leave the phone on, so that I don't inadvertantly get stuck with data charges abroad ?

2. can you download maps in order to use the navigation app without having to load them "on the fly" ?

cheers

It's easy to turn data off, and in fact my phone automatically stops background data downloads overseas and import does it if I run an app that requires it.

In answer to your map question, google maps have just introduced a labs feature which keys you do exactly this- you can pre-download 10 sq miles around any given point (for as many different locations as you want) and it stays in the map cache for 30 days.

 

[Colossal Squid]

The HTC Desire S is STILL the Android phone to beat at the moment. Otherwise there's the HTC Sensation or the Samsung Galaxy S2 however I'd stick with an HTC as they have a better user interface than the Samsungs.

The beauty of the HTC Desire S is its robust and sturdy build quality which is still surprisingly rare for Android handsets. Coming from a Nokia, you may well appreciate this more than most (I upgraded from a Nokia E71 which is a very well built phone made of METAL).

There's a reason the original HTC Desire was voted phone of the year, and the Desire S only improves on it.

 

[brightn'ove]

the sensation is far better than the desire S, bigger screen, faster processor(1.2ghz dual core), new HTC sense 3.0 interface etc. sensation is pretty sturdy too. The sensation is basically the 'don' of the android market right now, it's HTC's flagship phone.
also, if it matters.. the sensation has a 1080p video camera

 

[Colossal Squid]

The Sensation is very decent, yes. BUT the bigger screen is unnecessary if you ask me, and it means it consumes more battery than the Desire S, so it doesn't last as long.

It is more powerful though, you're right. Although at the moment there is nothing that takes advantage of its faster processor which means performance wise they are essentially the same (for now).

I've not actually held one however. Is it made of metal?

 

[brightn'ove]

the back is a tri-tone metal and soft-touch plastic thing. you're right but when you're looking at web pages having the extra space is pretty decent, i used to have an iphone which had a 3.5 inch screen, the 4.3 inch screen on this makes it so much easier to view websites.
this video explains it


pretty annoying video, but it goes through the specs pretty nicely.

 

[Seagull Steve]

I absolutely love my HTC Desire S, I know the Sensation is a step up, but I am not sure its necessary to step up. The Desire S is quick enough and will handle all the apps you need as well as any other phone. My lad has always been an iphone fanatic, but even he is impressed with the Desire S.

 

[Colossal Squid]

Fair play. That does sell it pretty well.

Oh well I still love my Desire S but I can't pretend I'm not impressed by that Sensation

 

[brightn'ove]

if you have the desire S then yeah, there is no reason to upgrade, if you're in the market for a new phone though the sensation is the one to go for.

 

[gruntage]

I write this from my HTC Desire in Cambodia. I confirm what's been said above, just switch data off when abroad and you will incur no costs. I've found that leaving my phone on aeroplane mode is ideal as it means I receive no unwanted calls or texts, but allows me to use my phone's other features; mainly WiFi.

 

[happypig]

Thanks for all the advice, looks like I'll go for a Desire S.

Better put the kettle on ....