How would you change HTC's Droid Incredible?
Yeah, we called it the best Android device in America during our review back in April, and even today it's somewhat difficult to track down, but that's not to suggest that HTC's Droid Incredible is free of flaws. The Sense-enabled smartphone is the current flagship in VZW's stable, and while the EVO 4G may offer faster connections (in select locales) and a larger display, the Droid Incredible still has its fair share of proponents. This space, however, is where we all take a deep breath, a step back and quick sip of a strong drink. After that, we'd invite you to hit up comments below and tell us how you'd tweak this here smartphone if you suddenly found your way into HTC's headquarters. Would you have stretched the display a centimeter or two? Changed the hardware design somewhat? Made it available with a GSM radio? The options are pretty limitless, so head on down and publish your $0.02. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
























I would make it more Incredible
@panckakes
I would change it into an iPhone or an HTV EVO 4G. That's what I would do....
Just sayin....
@Kevin6432 But we already have the iPhone and EVO...
@Kevin6432 Well maybe you shouldnt have..
Definitely put GSM on that thing and let me buy it unlocked with no Death Star branding.
@panckakes
More Incredible would mean it's an EVO
I would add
1. Samsung Super AMOLED screen and not LG IPS
2. At least N Draft mixed with G
3. 16GB integrated memory would be nice instead of getting another microSD
4. 720P Video Recorder
5. 8MP with Dual LED or Xenon Flash
6. Scratch resistant shield/coating
7. I would appreciate it if they have a loud speaker on the phone.
8. 2 different model, one with just a touchscreen and one with a physical keyboard qwerty.
9. OS of choice either for Window 7 or Google Android
10. Quad Band with 4G if possible.
11. Mini HDMI is not really necessary but if you can add it, go ahead!
Listen up smartphone manufacture this is what people really want.
@panckakes
Froyo and you wouldn't need anything else.... seriously.
@panckakes
More incredible? I don't think I can handle more than this.. It's the bees knees, it's so Incredible!
@panckakes
keyboard.
oh, and T-Mobile. Why has Verizon been getting so many android phones... do they really need them all? :(
the HTC Droid Incredible already have most of what I listed which is certainly enough but as for the others stuff that the Droid doesn't have, well it's a working progress.
HDMI out, front camera, Froyo, better battery life, SUPER AMOLED screen, Gsm, buy unlocked option.
- change the location of the power plug, you can not rest it on the dashboard when plugged in or hold in while plugged in.
- move the volume control higher, i press it by accident all the time.
- move the power button to the right side so i don't presse it while holding the phone.
- volume and power button is too sensitive.
- the roller ball is useless.
- the home, menu, back, search button it too sensitive. My palm hits the search button all the time holding the phone.
- the build quality is very cheap with the cheap plastic back.
- too easy to unlock the phone in my pocket by hitting the power button and "menu" button.
- the ear speaker to too high up. hard to hear when the speaker is above your ear.
@panckakes
I love this phone. It's the device I've always dreamed of. But since you asked...
-Give it a multi-colored LED so you can have different colored notifications for different events.
-Allow the LED to blink while charging. Right now, the LED will just stay orange while charging and you'll never know if you missed something. Kind of annoying for a phone that you have to charge a lot.
-Give it handy dock connectors like on the bottom of the Nexus One. I really wish I could just stand it on a desktop dock or car dock and have it charge.
-Change the placement of the camera lens so it doesn't protrude out of the back of the phone. You have to buy a case if you don't want the camera lens to hit the desktop every time you lay it flat.
These issues almost make me wish that the Nexus One would've come out on Verizon (without those touchscreen complaints of course). But the built-in 8GB of flash better camera, and optical track pad make up for it.
@panckakes
add LTE because I'm not going to get another phone for 2 years and want it to still be somewhat relevant in 2012
@Techie No. Its not what people want. Its what gadget nerds and power users want, most users are content with their iDevices. Not saying your list is bad, just narcissistic.
@Matt l
you're a moron. yeah we want this stuff, but it's up to the companies (sprint, verizon, etc...) that decide what phones we ultimately get. I wouldn't be surprised if they hold off on windows 7 phone just so that they can squeeze android for what it's got before giving it a competitor in their own line-up. it's kinda like...gladiators. but with no blood. kinda cool ain't it?
@aubreyq
So you want an HTC desire. I'm surprised more people haven't asked for a better build quality, this goes for the EVO as well. I'm not comfortable with Companies releasing high end phones with average build quality. In the GSM world you can pay over $500 for a phone with plastic parts. Thats what I hated about my Dash 3g. I want to see more glass and more metal on these phones. I'm tired of seeing the best phones being built like a walmart DVD player.
@markdesign hold the earpiece up to your ear then. the mic will still pickup your voice. i swear
@aubreyq I second that motion and I'd like to add making it a pentaband phone that includes both T-Mobile and AT&T frequencies (unlike the iPhone that added Asias 800 band instead of 1700)
@panckakes I would release the damn nightstand dock and TV cable already. Seriously Verizon, what the hell is taking so long; they're accessories.
Needs a keyboard. I dont care what apple thinks, buttons are better than a damned touchscreen
The Incredible is already an amazing phone, but it could definitely use some touch ups.
It would be nice if they built it encased in some kinda solar panel shell for longer battery life.
And louder audio for the headphones wouldn't hurt.
@Extinction
I think you're in the minority at this point/ Clearly, it's not just "what Apple thinks" if you're complaining about the lack of a keyboard in a subjective review of the HTC Incredible.
There are far more touchscreen only Android devices than there are Android devices with a keyboard.
@skyblaze I agree. TMO needs better Android phones. Galaxy (if it comes to TMO) is ok but its neither Incredible nor EVO.
@Matt l
I actually dimmed down a lot already for normal usage. If I wanted to make it for power users then this is what I want.
1. Samsung Super AMOLED Screen with Sapphire Glass designed to block out any scratches with additional anti-glare.
2. 32GB of Flash Memory with additional MicroSD Slot
3. 1080P Video Recorder mod with night vision settings, auto focus, iso settings and to make it more interesting some editing software on the spot.
4. Have Cowon help with the process to create an awesome audio chip for the phone too on the 3.5mm jack not a stupid mini usb plug.
5. Bump this up to at least 12MP beating the Sony Ericsson Satio or Idou with some really good lens. ISO setting is a must with night vision mode.
6. Nickel hydrogen battery or NiCd, NiMH too
7. Cell Processor designed by IBM to process information faster at lower speed so something at 1.5 Ghz to 2.0 Ghz should be good enough plus the battery life would still be able to be maintainable.
8. Interested in letting ATI or Nvidia take on the GPU on this phone integrated with the Cell Process.
9. Mini HDMI that takes HDMI 1.4
10. Military Spec-like Speaker like the Soundbug that vibrate sounds on the surface of the smartphone making it act as a speaker.
11. Definitely don't want to see ABS plastic being used but it's ok if it's durable. I would like to see some electrified aluminum intermixed with copper shielding that also act as higher DB+ antenna but it's also a cover.
12. Projected Keyboard or just a physical qwerty keyboard would be fine but some people like the touchscreen so make 2 different model.
13. Back stand for the phone for watching the movie but make it stylish. Which can dual use as a stylish too. "See I'm smart"
14. Let the customer select their own OS system either Android, Window 7 Mobile, etc...
15. Bluetooth Class 3 because everyone likes 24/mbits = higher quality audio and for whatever.
16. Samsung pull out paper OLED screen ratio at 16:9 to use as a media screen which also has touch active screen.
I can keep on going but I told you I dimmed down already. This is a real power user or techie phone. Enjoy!
@aubreyq The chip inside the Incredible already supports both CDMA and GSM/HSPA. The issue is the d0uchebag HTC.
Windows 7, unlocked, and 4G.
@Techie
Verizon doesn't have 4G.
What the phone clearly needs is a front camera and a gyro. Now that would have been incredible. :-)
@Techie :
It seems a little ridiculous to say the OS should be swappable. The OS is as much a part of the phone as the hardware. As Topolsky has said before, the hardware is more or less a slate for the OS. It wouldn't be the Incredible if it were a Win7 phone. Just like the EVO isn't the HD2.
If there were one thing wrong with the Incredible, it would have to be the horrendous trackpad. It's almost useless, which makes moving through a text box really annoying. A trackball like the N1 is quite a bit more useful.
Also, maybe a dedicated camera button.
@Cleecanth That makes absolutely no sense. Why would the HTC EVO not be able to run iOS or W7 w/ minor tweaking?
The only real consideration is screen size and processing power.
@Kyle P And I think that's a travesty. The lack of any of these newer phones having proper keyboards is exactly why I haven't upgraded yet. So, my $0.02? GSM radio supporting (at least) T-Mobile US and a physical keyboard.
@Techie Don't forget the kickstand! lol
@Techie It doesn't have the scratch resistant glass like EVO and iPhone does?
@Android looks Hacked Together HTC offer a whole heap of different options for clocks in different sizes, or you can go to the marketplace and find 3rd party options. Besides, you still have 7 home screens to fill. Also Android is merely a platform, so rest assured your beloved carrier will more than likely have a great android phone one day. Were you looking to start a fight here?
I find that the voice dictation mostly eliminates the need for a keyboard. It's usually scary accurate. But I respect your preference.
@Techie LOL good luck with battery life, see what the EVO 4G is getting now with like 2 hours with 4G on, pitiful. Incredible my arse! Iphone 4 32GB FTW.
@Beatnik
Same without the unnecessary front facing camera.+ more ferrari red details. Make the ugly mandatory buttons more attractive. Maybe the optical joystick can rest in peace too= cut a bit from the bottom.
@Android looks Hacked Together
Did you really just say "you wish the clock didn't take up half of the screen."? You are an idiot that has obviously never used android.
Thanks for trying.
@Techie The handsfree calling is terrible. That should be first on their list to fix. I had a cheap feature phone that did handsfree so can't a smart phone do it right?
@panckakes
Make it easier to root. Motorola allowed us to root the shit out of the Droid, why can't HTC? We just want to get rid of sense!
@markdesign Couldn't agree more!
- It's driving me crazy that if I get a call and it's in the holster on my belt, I have to be careful getting it out or I accidentally hang up on the caller by hitting the power button! I'd LOVE to be able to disable that power button during calls!
- Battery life SUCKS! They shouldn't have called it the "Incredible" unless they give you a decent battery so you can actually USE the thing the way it was intended to be used - and not just for the first 6-8 hours a day before it dies.
- The camera may be 8mp - but the optics on it aren't great, and everything gets over-sharpened.
- charging port on the side (as mentioned) is just STUPID! It's difficult to make a call or use the thing while connected to my car charger because the cord has to come all the way across to the left side of the device while I'm holding it. Put it on the bottom and get rid of that useless optical trackpad.
- dedicated camera button on the right side would have been welcomed for activating the camera AND taking the shot (instead of pressing the trackpad, which is awkward)
- While I appreciate the unique design of the backplate, it also makes the first point of contact when you lay it down THE CAMERA LENS! WTF were they thinking?!?! Oh...I know...we'll sell more cases that way!
@scotty1024 Verizon 4G is in testing.
@Soldier1969 You do know the EVO 4G is NOT the incredible right? You went in pointing out an alleged flaw with the EVO...then slammed the Incredible for it...then, after that WTF moment randomly praised the iPhone 4....with no catalyst whatsoever...
You sir are odd...PTSD?
@Techie It's an CDMA phone, u can't have quad band 3G. That's UTMS/WCDMA and GSM phones
@panckakes
id put one in my pocket
@Matt l
Somewhat agree, Incredible is a good phone as it stands. What Incredible needs, is good marketing and branding.
@skyblaze
Because T-mobile is the barely better than PCS cell provider for dirtbags? Get what you pay for.
Lol. Common Man did the same thing to me. Hmm....perhaps the article's title wasn't clear enough or that I referred to my phone as the Incredible. I must be sure not to be so vague next time.
As with any current smart phone ...
- better outside viewing
- better battery life
- less heat
Even with that, this is one awesome phone.