Verizon is making no secret about which Android device it wants to make waves this week -- that'd be the
DROID from Motorola -- but there's another model that'll be available the same day with one-tenth the fanfare: HTC's
DROID ERIS. Codenamed
Desire ahead of launch, the phone is essentially Verizon's custom remix of the venerable Hero as found on Sprint and various GSM carriers around the world, featuring a 5 megapixel camera, 3.2-inch capacitive display, WiFi, 3.5mm headphone jack, and microSD expansion up to 16GB. Check it out in your local store hiding somewhere in the shadow of the DROID starting Friday for $99.99 on contract after a $100 mail-in rebate, which -- if you can forgo a physical keyboard, faster processor, and high-res display -- works out to a cool hundred less than Moto's entry.
posted Nov 5th 2009 8:45AM
It's a shame this is being overshadowed by the droid. It really is a solid phone.
Completely agree. I can't afford the Droid, this is a solid choice on a solid network.
It's being "overshadowed" to us - the geek crowd. To the casual phone buyer there are now 2 Droids. And 99% of the time with two products that share the same name, the one with the "extra" name is newer/better. Why get a Droid when you can get a Droid Eric?
I think you have the Eris (Codename Desire spelled backwards, and then drop the "ed") as a great phone for the casual user who is new to smartphones/Android, and the DROID as the choice for techies, iPhone switchers, and power users.
No?
@JakeMG
The Droid is sweet - no doubt about that. The Eris seems really good as well. Would techies really not go for the Eris?
Seems a plenty reasonable device
the naming is odd too. So the moto droid has no name?
Droid
droid eris
@JakeMG
Too bad T-Mobile didn't have a process to help AT&T customers unlock their iPhones so they can get their service. About half of the people that I know that have an iPhone have it on T-Mobile and says the service works great.
i agree it's solid, but if you know any of the technical aspects of the phones, e.g., processor speed, why would you pick this over droid?
imo, you'd have to really hate moto or really be into the phones appearance to choose eris
@Banksta3
Dude, for most people, that is a failed comparison, plus a bonus racist comment.. "jewish" really?
I don't know anybody who needs unlimited voice. It's a waste of money.
with the extra $80 a month you could adopt 3 children in Africa.
@trainwrecka: I think techies would go for this if they don't like the design of the DROID, or if they like Sense, or if they're on a budget. I personally like it (the DROID) precicely becuse it looks like something a robot shit out. I think "device" when I see the DROID. Still, for only $100, I really like this phone. The fact that HTC is building out a Sense UI that has 2.0 on it makes it even better if you're patient. I have a MT3G on Tmobile, which I got for about $40 (thanks Oprah and a bad customer service experience in-store!), and I would love to have something like this and have only paid a clam for it.
@Internet Superhero: It would probably break some kind of rule if Tmobile actively seeked out jailbroken iPhone users. However, I've heard that Customer Care actually does a great job of supporting iPhones, and have no problems doing so. I've also heard that iPhone works well on Tmobile becuase Edge tends to be fast enough for most things, and there's always the increasingly ever-present free wifi cloud around us. Still, I have an iPod touch and a separate phone because I like Android, and I want my music player to drain it's own battery, and not that of my phone. Now I get to experience iPhone apps, in a much thinner device, and still get to be an Android guy. I've become accustomed to just having both with me all the time. Maybe Josh can lend me his man-purse some time.
They didn't bother pointing out that this phone runs android 1.5. The DROID runs 2.0
The price only helps it even more. I really want this phone, but I can't upgrade till next year :(
It'll be interesting to see if this device suffers from the dust-under-the-screen problems plaguing so many people (reported over at SprintUsers). That's the main reason I returned my Hero - that build quality/issue is unacceptable. With people already saying this device "feels better" than the Hero, I hope they've addressed the problem.
The iPhone suffers the same problem... I just looked at one that was pretty bad. It would be hard to seal that off. However it is possible to pop it open and clean it.
What build quality problems have you experienced? I've had the Hero for almost a month and haven't had any screen or other issues.
Ironically the GSM version doesn't get the same problems.
Dust under the screen on the iPhone? The glass is GLUED to the LCD. Nothing is getting in there. Maybe around the edges, but not on the actual display.
the iPhone does get dust in there, I have it in mine and have friends with it as well...
My last Sprint phone (Moto Q9c) had a horrible problem with dust collecting under the screen. Seems odd that now an HTC phone on the same carrier has the same problem. I have an HTC phone now (G1) and I've never had dust problems with it.
they stopped gluing them together after the first model - 3g/3gs aren't glued
@ man - sorry about my earlier comment.
@ josh - thanks for correcting me.
that springy gap on the Droid scares me... i might be going with the eris... i would hate to have a phone that is going to break in my pocket
i'm not sure which springy gap you're mentioning exactly... but if you get a chance to see one of these (and handle it) i think you'll be a lot more confident about it. this isn't a phone that feels like it will break in your pocket. it really does feel solid.
handling the two side by side - they're just totally different machines. the droid is a brick - rough but stable. the eris is like silk - smooth and clean. Swing by your verizon store, they might have them behind the counter. mine did.
http://phandroid.com/2009/11/03/motorola-droid-hardware-review/
Why not just wait for the HTC Passion that's rumored to be released later this year.
If Verizon got the HD2 or the iPhone I'd consider switching providers althought I'd pay a lot more monthly.
i love to hear people complain about a couple dollar extra a month for superior service... your getting a smart phone... and you cant afford a few extra dollars? what gives? just dont stop into starbucks one day... sheesh...
We poor people have to make our own coffee. There is no extra coin to afford a college-freshman barista.
WOW - I didn't realize how bad my complaining was - I think I simply stated I'd pay more monthly if I could get the phones I wanted on Verizon. Did I say it sucks? Did I say it was highway robbery? What about my complaint bugged you most or was it simply you like to infer?
@boe
it wasn't really just directed at you... i just love to see people complain a few extra dollars on phone plan... im sorry if i offend you.. i really didnt mean to
@boe
oh and you said " I'd consider switching providers althought I'd pay a lot more monthly" so i didnt infer anything... you made a comment about how much more it would cost
TouchPro2 would make a nicer platform for the Droid.
$100 less on a phone that requires a minimum plan of $70 a month seems inconsequential to me. Especially $100 less compared to a phone that almost everyone will agree is better in every way. But I'm sure some people will still buy the HTC.
If this is basically the Hero then it is a very viable option... even though the processor is behind the Droid, HTC has managed to tweak their Sense UI so that it runs very smoothly... Sense w/ 1.5 has many of the features that stock 2.0 just introduced, at they are working on upgrading the Hero (and presumably Eris) to 2.0. Plus some folks don't necessarily want a physical keyboard - less moving parts to have break.
Indeed. And both are still far more expensive than the T-Mobile Pulse, which is currently the cheapest way to get android (~£200 without a contract).
I see all of this talk about how much more or less the Verizon plans are compared to the ATT iPhone plan. I am an iPhone User who will be switching as fast as I can. My financial analysis 3 iPhones (3 lines) for $230 US per month on a network that never works has ZERO value to me. Same abilities on verizon for same money on a network that WORKS has VALUE. So even if Verizon is more cost more, the Value of the dollars spent compel the switch.
Anyone know what the month-to-month price will be on either Droid, I couldn't find anything.
Take either the basic or select calling plans (only ones that work with a smartphone) then add $30/month for unlimited data and you have your cost... not including insurance or any other options.
so basically you're paying for android the cash because honestly you need to be blind or really really tasteless to buy this phone ... it is REALLY REALLY ugly. compared with this G1 is a real beauty!
Practicality over looks. Its a swiss-army knife for a lot less dosh than otherwise have to pay.
It's looks might be boring, but at least its features really aren't.
Okey, I'm just going to say it...why name this Droid, when Motorola has their own Dorid ?
Feel free to criticize me, or give me a straight answer ;D
verizon is calling all android phones droids, with motorola being the flag ship known solely as Droid... in europe these phones will have different names... its stupid and confusing... i still like Sholes as the name of the Droid
"Droid" is the name of Verizon Wireless's series of Android phones.
outside of VZW, the phones carry their own names, like the Motorola Milestone (Droid) and the HTC Hero (Droid Eris).
Just to point out, the Eris isn't a HTC Hero device. Its a HTC Desire device.
I can understand why they switched from Sholes ... there are too many immature people in this world that would attach "AS" in front of it.
I want this phone sooo bad but im a poor college student who cant afford the monthly data charges. Is there a way to get it without having to pay for data since i can get wifi throughout my campus?
I don't know about Eris, but I assume it's the same scenario as Droid which would mean NO you can't have it w/o data plans.
"To get the most from DROID by Motorola smartphone, customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access."
Get the Hero on Sprint for $69.99 Unlimited data, text, unlimited mobile to mobile. I was with vzw the past few year and they were the best, I switched to Sprint with the Blackberry Tour then Touch Pro 2 in August and have no complaints at all (Philadelphia area)
Just go to a store and talk to people there. There might be a way to get the phone in contract without data.
@Dustin I completely agree, once you pay the contract the difference in price of these phones is about 5%.
This is the Android phone for my wife. Will be a nice replacement for her Storm.
if you can forgo a physical keyboard, faster processor, and high-res display ...... AND Android 2.0? Right? Or am I wrong?
Does anyone know if this will have exchange support?
It does.
Doesn't this one run Android 1.5 instead of 2.0 though?
Yes, it runs 1.5
Yes. However HTC has stated they're going to release 2.0 with sense as soon as they're done with it.
1.6, actually.
Not 1.6. HTC has already confirmed that they're skipping 1.6 for the Hero and going straight to 2.0. Since this is a Hero wearing a different dress, it's a pretty safe assumption that it's included.
I so want this phone, but I just upgraded 6 months ago. Damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmm....wonder if Best Buy will do this one with the auto-rebate as well...
Hmm... I wonder if I can "look" at an Eris and Droid and switch the guts of the droid into the eris when the salesperson isn't looking. I'd rather have a phone that doesn't look like I took it off of the set of tim burton's Batman.
Ahhh!!! I want this one on Sprint!! Going from an iPhone to a Hero I wanted a Proxy sensor because I'm used to taking that for granted...
I don't want Verizon because the plans on Sprint are way cheaper.
"Check it out in your local store hiding somewhere in the shadow of the DROID starting Friday"
HA! Oh engadget, I love you so!
I don't know how long the battery of Moto's Droid last, but i am using a HTC Hero——the GSM Droid Eris, it last for only a day and night!
UGH! I'm pretty torn. I don't know if I should go with the Droid, the Eris or wait for that other one that I think is coming out in December. Price isn't really an issue for me, but the whole UI thing is throwing me off. I understand that they both run Android (albeit one is running 1.5 and the other 2.0) but from what I've seen they look pretty different. I'm pretty sure that either by the end of the year or Q1 of next year all android phones will be running 2.0... I don't know, i guess basically I'm asking what is best, the Droid, the Eris or that other one that I can't remember the name for the life of me.
Cheap???
Lets see $30 data plan plus $15 for exchange so $45 on top of monthly voice plan for 2 years. This is cheap oh wait ETF of $350!!
Am I the only one that thinks this is not cheap??$45 month data. ETF $350!
$45 exchange plan is only for business users. For example if your business buys you a phone. You can access exchange just fine on the $30 plan provided your company has their own exchange server (which they usually do).
There is the same fee on AT&T.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355249,00.asp
Wait, a Verizon phone that doesn't have its GUI raped and spewed all over the screen?
Duh, what rock have you been living under? Verizon doesn't modify GUI for smartphones. Troll.
Mmmm...
If this phone does pinch to zoom multitouch (which it does). Then that means its neither google nor verizon thats blocking it from the Moto Droid because they both let it happen with this. The only X Factor is Motorola vs HTC. Therefore it must be motorola's fault for blocking it on their droid.
Interesting...yeah it really baffles me as to why the Droid doesn't incorporate multi-touch freely. Everyone else is doing it...what's so special about the Droid that they can't? I'm sure it will be fixed with an app or something in any case but just an odd situation.
He's not a troll, he's just been scarred. We all have :'(
Its funny, the droid is the expensive flagship phone, yet the Eris is much nicer looking, both in form and GUI. If I had to choose, I'd pick the Eris without hesitation.
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