PDAPhoneHome.com - View Single Post - XV6800 versus the i760

Actually the best way to do this, is read through the rumor thread for the 6800, it's either in it's thread now, or still in the 6700 forum.

From what I have read, it will have the Rev A Chip, but under WM5 it won't be enabled, and until they release WM6, you won't benefit from it. And even then that is speculation at this point.

But from what I can, they should be to market within a month of each other, or two at the most. The 6800 will be running WM5 AKU3.3-3.5 and will have around 128 MB of usable memory (not a lot more than the i760, and I never fill up mine on my i730).

The camera resolution is interesting, as the 6800 is reported to be 2MP compared to the 1.3MP. Not a lot of difference there, but how much do you actually use the camera on the device? I haven't had one on any of my phones, except for the RAZR I use occasionally, and with it, I will still just pull out a point and shoot, or my SLR. If I am going to take a photo, I want something with quality. The slight edge this has here for me, doesn't mean much.

Here is my biggest thought on the subject. The i760 comes out with WM6 and pretty much the only thing the 6800 has on it to begin with is a bit more memory and a 2MP camera. I would rather have WM6 on the device. Then in the next few months to a year, I am sure the 6800 will get some version of WM6 on it. If after this time of having my i760, the 6800 turns out to be a better device, I will switch after a year.

There are three main reasons I want the i760 over the 6800.

1. WM6 - many benefits to it, and who knows how long it will be until the 6800 gets it. I want HTML mail, and the speed benefits.

2. Build quality. My i730 has been through a ton of crap, and I haven't had many replaced because of build quality. The quality of the i730 to me is much better than any HTC device.

3. Exterior number pad - many people have been complaining about this, but I use the numbers all the time. Many times I can't use voice dial to call, and I just want to type it. I have an excellent memory for numbers and type them in all the time. I find I can do that without having to look at the screen to select a contact, and I do this on the small keypad on the i730. I also hit a LOT of calling trees and need to type in numbers quite often. I have never gotten used to the touch screen number pad, and prefer hard keys for numbers. Since everyone is switching to horizontal keypads (even smartphone devices), it's great still having the number pad on the outside of the phone.

So for me, I think the i760 is the best device "so far". If the 6800 turns out better in 6-12 months, and gets WM6, then I will look at it again, but for the three points I made above, the i760 wins, no matter how much memory the 6800 has built in, or the MP count on the camera.

The Rev A wireless is a two fold issue. It needs to be enabled on the phone, and enabled on the tower. Verizon is planning the rollout over the next 3-4 years since they just signed the multi-billion dollar deal. I am sure lots of markets will get EVDO Rev A eventually, but by the time they roll out Rev A in the areas I travel, I will most likely have a new device, or be eyeing a new device. It was just September 2006 when I got EVDO Rev 0 in my hometown, and not too long before that Louisville got it (maybe the first part of 2006). So Rev A, although will be a nice feature, still isn't needed for me. Also, Verizon needs to enable the features to use Rev A. So far it seems that all they have done is enable the upload speed to be a bit faster, haven't touched data/voice at the same time, or up'd the download speed. I don't upload from my device, so this is useless until they improve the rest of the features.

So, in my opinion, the i760 will be the best device to have due primarily to the OS, but I feel that the 6800 has potential, but it's not enough of an upgrade for me to warrant a purchase. The only reason I would consider it, is the LARGE number of users across the world using HTC devices, and the potential for updates and hacks happening at break-neck speeds. But I still like the looks, benefits, and style of the i760, and will stick with it to begin with, and look at the 6800 or other devices down the road.

I never thought I would have had the i730 for as long as I have (I was typically a 6 month user of mobile devices). So if I get the i760 for at least 12 months, then I will be happy, and anything longer just means that there still isn't anything better...

Most of all I want a stable and usable device, and hacks/updates are just a bonus, and I have been extremely happy with Samsung devices, and have had MANY people complain about the HTC build quality (around 20 of my clients have the 6700, and I agree with them, since I support them).