HTC Hero / Eris mega faceoff on video
By Paul Miller 
posted Nov 6th 2009 5:45PM
posted Nov 6th 2009 5:45PM
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I don't get why a head to head among these three devices was necessary... THEY'RE ALL EXACTLY THE SAME!!!! You could have tossed in the Magic 32a in the equation too since it's the same board as those three, same processor, same storage, same memory, same UI (now with the sense update). It's like comparing a macintosh to a red delicious to a granny smith... They're all apples!!!!
They're different form factors, so it's fun to compare.
... and a blast to contrast
exactly, a granny smith computer is the same as a mac!
[typed on a Red Delicious laptop]
if you don't get it, there's no point explaining it to you. i appreciate the illustration of the physical differences of each version, form factor is a huge point i consider when about to buy a new device. that said i too am still partial to the original hero, chin and all, it is hands down one of my favorite mobile designs ever.
Paul: you say "uhh" and "umm" a lot. Please clean it up for the next video :)
Have you eaten a Red Delicious recently? Call me an apple fanboy if you want, but I like macs and I like granny smith, honeycrisps are my favorite, hell I even like golden delicious, but I can barely stomach taking a single bite of a red delicious, they are vile disgusting excuses for apples and people only buy them because they look like what they expect apples to look like from children's books and such.
See I am even overly opinionated about fruit.
Totally agree with @RandomGuy about the Red Delicious, major waste of a fruit. I'm actually big on Fujis.
McIntosh are good. Golden Delicious are great for making apple tea - good for bedtime to have a nice calm sleep. Nothing like Newtown Pippin - just ask George Washington.
I love apples. An apple a day keeps the doctor away !
Carpediem: you angry brah? Is constructive criticism not allowed when something is free? He says it a LOT. It's just a suggestion, so try to calm your high blood pressure.
How dare you call my Hero chrome cheap! HERO FTW!
About the "dots", I have them on My Verizon LG Dare - they seem to be responsible for touch , detect touch or something.
I have the dots on my Tytn II, just figured it was the individual capacitive 'touch spots' of the touchscreen layer, almost impossible to see unless you are looking for them...
The Choice is Clear.
Verizon's Premium Unlimited plan offers unlimited text & data as well as unlimited minutes. That's great, but it's a CEO like $139.99 a month.
Sprint's EPRP gives you the same unlimted text & data with 450 land-line minutes which nobody uses anymore and unlimited calls to any cell phone on any carrier, essentially giving you unlimited minutes. And they do it for the good Christian price of $59.99
139.99
- 59.99
-------------
80.00 In Savings
And if you one of the few neanderthal's that still call land-lines all the time then bump it up $20 and go for the 1000 minutes, still saving you $60 a month.
If your worried about Sprints coverage don't fret. In Moderate to heavy populated area's Sprint will roam on Verizon's towers. And their 3G is on par with Verizon's Coverage and Performance. Don't believe me? Just check out this handy dandy Comparison that PC world cooked up for us. http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=167391&page=1&zoomIdx=1
This is not a slam Verizon add, as I do think they are the best carrier out there. I'm just trying to educate people in a way that will save them $1840 over the life of a contract (difference in phone price included)
But these are essentially the same phones, so why not go for value?
@ Banksta3
Wow dude. Do your homework. You wouldn't need the 139.99 plan on Big Red, you would need the Select plan, which consequently you can get with 450 minutes or for your so called "Neanderthal" friends, the 900 plan comes with a pick 5 which can be changed every 24 hours if you choose to. So let's compare:
Sprint 900 Minute "Everything Data" - 90/month x 24 months = 2160 + $180 = $2340
Verizon 900 minute Select + Email & Web add on - 110/month x 24 months =2640+100 =$2740
$2740
- $2340
= $400
$400 for THE best network available. Consider me sold.
YoMeister, Does the Verizon plan you cite also include Mobile TV and Navigation? Or are those add-ons as well on Verizon? The Sprint plan includes both of those.
I've never had VZW as a carrier, but I've also never dropped a call on Sprint unless I'm about 30 miles from the nearest sizeable town.
Not picking on Verizon, just asking.
Dude like's the Jay Leno chin design which totally sucks. He must have a thing for Jay Leno. There's gonna be about a gazillion Android clone smartphones and customers will be scared to go in and try to pick one. Talk about market confusion. Two Droids already. In a year, there'll be twenty Droids. Good luck on choosing your Droid. Can't wait till the first 'Roid goes on sale by some Chinese company called Hemo.
Too bad the Motorola Droid will fail along with the rest of any of Motorola smartphones coming down the pike. Clearly, Motorola needs to get out of the cellphone business. They have been the laughingstock of the cellphone industry for the last eight years. Their only innovation has been to find different ways to fail. They've been the the cellphone business for umpteen years and they still can't design a decent smartphone. WTF is wrong with their R&D team.
Only one smartphone will stand out from the rest. The one made by the well-known fruit company which needs no introduction.
umm, you can compare those apples because they each taste different.
they are all the same except for form factor why even do this
why complain? you get better choice, get the one which matches you...
Haha, because this is a comparison of... wait for it... the differences in form factor.
You seem to be saying 'We Don't Need Another Hero'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHXA4_O-MXM
@why Epic win dude ! Awesome ! Let music say it all !
Mmmm clear as purified water :)
These videos don't work for me embedded, if I got to viddler I can watch them, any idea why? using firefox
I would have included the my touch since it doesnt run sense so it might not have the lag.
they are all exactly the same except for form factor why even do this
stupid engadget comment system
YES, the form factor is DIFFERENT, that IS the ENTIRE point of the video. some people do not have access to the phones to compare, or otheres like myself simply enjoy seeing the differences. you act like engadget just wasted days of your life that you'll never get back. go eat some milk and cookies and take a nap cry baby
We cool nerds like to compare things like that. There are not two equal objects and I think it is interesting to point out the differences between the same concept placed in different carriers/countries.
The information about the buttons was really useful to me. Even if I don't buy or own each phone, I am one of those people that take gadgets and technology as a hobby, and learning about each detail is kinda cool.
I personally now like the Eris more than the Droid.
good for you, but I hope that you know that the droid is the better phone
There is no "better." To me, a keyboard is a waste of space. Sense UI is amazing...so Hero is the better phone.
Android 2.0 is only exciting right now because it's new. Soon it'll be "It's running stock 2.0, which is a let down..." in every Android review.
I like it better too. Too bad it's not 2.0.
Waiting for the Passion which will hopefully be the same form factor but larger screen.
Yupe, there is no "better" phone. What is better for me, could be worst for you. For me the Eris has a really nice interface. HTC did a great job with Sense UI. Also the form factor is more "compact" and the keyboard is not too bad. The only thing I don't like about the Eris, but that is insignificant.
Is there any way the Hero could be updated to Eclair?
@tikiteko/cmsb55: HTC are working on a 2.0 upgrade for the hero (they are skipping the 1.6 update entirely). It's gonna take a while though cos there's been quite a bit of customisation of android to incorporate SenseUI.
HD2 review pls kthxbye
Just returned from Verizon. Was hoping to leave with an Eris. The Droid was nice, but didn't like the keyboard; it was so flat, might as well have been virtual keyboard. Android 2.0 seemed pretty nice. The Eris was/is purty. However, Verizon said I'd be paying $99/month for 450 minutes, unlimited text/email/data. Too expensive for me at this time. I'm going to take my chances on the Sprint network w/the HTC Hero, same plan Verizon was offering, but only $69/month. $30/month difference is big in these shaky economic times, no?
@George Anthony: That's exactly the reason why I went with Sprint. Where I am 99% of the time it works great for me. come to think of it, I've never had issues with network. Those $30/mo saved on the plan come to $720 over the 24mo contract. Well worth the extra $80 you pay upfront.
Though if where you live Verizon has better coverage, then you are kinda stuck. The GSM one is not relevant for most, since it's not offered by any carrier in the US. Does the 3G on it work with Att or Tmobile 3g?
It is man. It is. That is a $360 saving per year. Plus you get unlimited calling to any mobile anytime, GPS, Sprint TV (that even if not stellar, hey it may save you from boredom waiting on a line or at the doctor's), nights start @ 7 PM (to call the other numbers).
To be honest, I would prefer to get the Moment on Sprint. I really need to go check that one out. IT has a gorgeous screen and so far the reviews I have seen have been positive.
The only thing I really hate about CDMA is how the phones are only usable here in the US. I mean, I feel way more comfortable with GSM, I think their resale value and opportunity is higher, but that seems not to bother other people.
I wish you luck in Sprint.
Yeah, Verizon's plans are just way too expensive. This will obviously put a damper on Verizon's sales.
Hopefully something as good as the Droid eventually reaches other carriers.
Happy SERO customer here with my $30 plan that includes 500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited data.
Sucks that we don't get great deals on certain devices but the plan more than makes up for it.
Yeap, I prefer the design of HTC Magic, but as jubeh said, inside (and screen also) they all share the same specs.
So why so many variations?
I'd like a tabled DROID with 3.7" OLED 800x480 screen (like the new Samsung Omnia II - aka i8000) without sliding or loose parts, but so many variations and there is still not what's more natural evolution.
So I keep my HTC G1 untill android kiks the ass of windows phone on some hardware terminals I would like.
Because not everyone likes to have the same thing everyone else has. People have different tastes. I think its very smart that HTC takes the same phone innards and cranks it out in 5 different guises. Very smart.
Its not like this is the 1st time HTC has released the same phone (relatively speaking) for multiple carriers... its actually a pretty regular occurrence. In this case you have an extremely popular phone, so besides the European version, you'll see several in the U.S.
Not really a big deal.
Sorry for being so naive, but the HTC Magic is basically the G2 in the US right? :/
HTC on twitter made a post saying the hero will get a 2.0 update
***does masculine happy dance***
@ tikiteko
we will just have to hope that he meant all models.
ill be pissed off if i dont get it just because of some nascar app i dont use and gps thing i rarely use.
http://twitter.com/htc/statuses/5243593307
" The rumors are true! Hero will be getting an Eclair update. We ask for your patience as we update Sense for the fancy new Android OS."
Would rather see the HTC HD2 Review.
Is there anything left in HD2 that remotely resembles WinMo? Capacitive touch, contacts, dialer, home screen have all been redone by HTC. When will WinMo7 come out? I'm not buying hardware on the promise that I can install an OS in a year from now. I will be much more excited when HTC drops a HD2 spec'd device running Android and Sense. Anything with WinMo on it at this point is a big yawn.
I had the Hero with sprint it would freeze up too often so i traded it for the Samsung Moment
So, how is the Moment as of this post? I'm up in the air about the Hero or Moment.
My Hero never freezes.
the Hero on Sprint currently has a bug with the text messaging app. It should be fixed at some point in the future, or you can switch to a different messaging app (without any of the "duplicates functionally" crap).
There should be a link below to the thread on adroid forums,
http://androidforums.com/htc-hero/11675-sprint-htc-power-drain-issue.html
The Hero's SenseUI was great and the htc widgets were good but the problem with my hero was that i would freeze often and was very laggy most of the time so i switched it for the moment which runs Android 1.5 very good. The only thing is that i am not sure if there will be a Android 2.0 update unlike the Hero which HTC said that 2.0 was coming but i do not think the Hero will run Android 2.0 good
if you wanted, you could have just turned off the sense UI. But yeah, the Moment has a hardware keyboard.
I got the moment a couple days ago, and I really like it so far. It is my first android device and my first smartphone, so keep that in mind (though I have had similar devices in the past, just not phone/android)
my sprint hero is just fine. however i will say like some; not all technologies you will have to see if the pro's out weigh the cons and adjust your use to handstand how use it will little to no stress.
like i had to download Taskiller app. a app that fully closes apps opened. turns out when you close a app on the hero (whether or not this applies to all android or htc phone i dont know) it just goes into a standby mod keeping what little memory you have. when using taskiller it frees up that memory and when it does you see a huge boost in the UI and how smooth it runs.
should i have to do this? no i should it be a huge reason not to buy the phone? not at all.
I just looked up sales numbers n believe iPhone has outsold all these 3 models put together in last 3 months. Just saying In case someone wants to measure their desirability rate. Fanboyism aside.
word, the original HTC hero isn't available with any of the US carriers, the Sprint HTC hasnt even been out for a month and the Droid Eris just came out today.... apparently you seem to state the obvious... good job!
what shades of gray would you like?
I wish we could group vote/evict people off these comment boards sometimes.
...or maybe I watch too much reality tv.
Either way, the user 'word' has got to be the most annoying... there was no fanboyism aside in your post, you douche.
I think it is sad to live in an iPhone world, where everything centers on the iPhone, where your life is the iPhone. I know for a fact that many Apple users are not that closed minded.... People like Word are just... people that probably never had a smartphone or could not afford a Mac, and now that they got one, they just want to in-your-face-it.
Word, you are fired !
You have been voted out of the island !
You need to pack your bags and leave the house !
No soup for you !
You are not continuing into the next round !
You can't dance, you need to bend your knees. You have been danced off !
Why do you guys bother with this dip-shit?
@word: the best selling car in the world is the Toyota Corolla... the stuff dreams are made of, no?
that's what we all as children dream of driving one day.
@Jimmy Jones
I prefer eggshell white.
I have the same calculator wrist watch Paul is wearing!!!
Considering how pathetic the DROID is, the HTC isn't so bad.
LOL "janked up a bit" thought i was the only one who said that (not really)
What camera did you guys use to take the video? Great DOF.
Brand new 7D. I think this is our inaugural video on it, glad you liked!
There are actually four phones in this comparison, but you can't see the HTC Ghost because of the EOS 7D firmware update.
I think i'm seriously going to get this 7D. I have a Panasonic DVX-1000B, and a Nikon D60. I think if I get this it'll satisfy both needs. I'm going to have to read up on it. You guys should do a hard core review on it!
Yeah I wanna see more on the 7D too lol while we're on the topic.
ya, i thought it was already known that the hero(es) would get the 2.0 update? so why are they using the lack of 2.0 as a knock on the hero?
Ehhh I'm still going with a Droid.
I got a friend. She Wants to buy a smartphone really bad doesn't want to spend more than $49 at mosT no rebates or loops to jump through. Wants all touchscreen no more than 1 button on face 3.5 inches or more 100,000 apps or more gps wifi 3g autofocus video cam compass ambient light sensor proximity sensor accelorometer A2dp 2 year contract $30 month data plan no more than $175 ETF sick music n video player dockability to home office steering wheel controls. All fir $49 or less. I could only think of 1 phone that does allllll that for price I recommended vowel phone 3g. Any other recommendation ?
Yes.
stfu.
Douche.
I don't accept the premise that you have a friend.
Hey Paul,
Did you guys use an external mic for that segment?
Cool story, bro.
held the eris today. it's really light. definitely lighter than the sprint hero. always hard to tell how good it feels in your hand because they have those huge anti-theft devices attached.
I hate those things. I especially hate in Sprint stores, the retractable wire the anti theft is attached to is so tight that you have to use force to keep it from being reeled back in. Testing out the Hero for a couple minutes was a task.
i have eris and pre . the eris is cool but pre is def. better/@a
I got a friend, and she will help you learn English! Interested?
no; mye enlgleish is prefect!
Exactly what I thought Paul Miller would look like. That may be the beer talking, but I doubt it.
anyone notice the motodroid is really jerky when switching between home screens? wondering why no one has mentioned this in reviews. i mean it's impossible to miss.
I think this was mentioned by a bunch of commenters. I don't really get why. By most accounts, apps switching and browsing speed is a lot faster because of the new processor, but the home screen seems to be the exception.
It might be software like the original firmware that was on the Hero. Moto is planning to come out with a update soon (maybe fixing the slow camera).
yeah, the phone didn't feel sluggish to me, but the home screen sliding animation seems to be broken. i'm sure there will be a software fix, i was just surprised by it.
looks like the Hero/Eris has more RAM than the Droid (288mb vs 256mb in the Droid)... I wonder if the Cortex A8 processor does anything to speed this thing up...
Very cool review, please do more video hands-on.
i havent read all the other posts, but i will say this. The droid eris may be 79 bucks cheaper, but its also $30 more a month on verizon than the htc hero is on sprint. I got the sprint htc hero yesterday and i love it. switched from at&t iphone
how long does sprint take to port your number?
i left the store with it working on my ported number, didnt seem to be an issue at all
key differences in battery size:
HTC Hero:
1350 mAh
Sprint Hero:
1500mAh
Verizon Eris:
1300mAh
why dont mine have google onthe back like the one in the video?