HTC Hero user reviews (Sprint)

Pros wifi, decent browser & speed, 'some' flash support, Sprint's services & price and customization.

Cons Customization, no camera flash, not compatible with Sprint's contact backup manager.

Summary Like others, I got this phone to upgrade from the Instinct. This phone has and does more than the Instinct (has a better browser, wifi, some flash support & more and better access to applications, including those of Sprint). I wouldn?t rival this phone to the iPhone, but because of its customization (not just personalizing settings, but also with memory storage and battery) and can run multiple applications, it does surpass some of iPhone?s qualities.

I?ve had some initial issue with the touchscreen and keypad. It?s not the same as the Instinct (it?s more looser & not as accurate/responsive). Also, Sprint?s contact update feature isn?t compatible with this phone, so I hope you have a backup list with Outlook or else you?ll spend a lot of time reentering info while getting used to the screen. But with some calibration (I hope-haha), I?ll adapt. I?ve noticed the lag issues that everyone talk about, but it?s about the same as my prior phone. Maybe I?ll have some regret with the lag after a lot of use.

Again, because of its features, it?s an overwhelming experience. Navigating will be a matter of getting used to the phone, but I?m getting the hang of it after a few days playing with the phone (especially utilizing the trackball which makes a big difference). But once everything is in place (and learning this phone), all I can say is that this phone is a cool device. It had me at wifi and the android market; now it?s a matter of seeing what else it can do.

P.S. if anyone can suggest alternatives than MS Outlook, much appreciated.

Overall, this phone is RIDICULOUS!

Updated on Nov 12, 2009

In my first review, I had issue with Sprint's contact manager not being compatible with the Hero. But I created a contact list through Gmail and it synced all of names & info (I thought I had to manually enter everything into the phone-PHEW!!).

After a few weeks with the phone, I still conclude that this phone can do way more than the original Instinct. But in a weird way, I do miss some of the set features instead of the customization that the Hero does. Texting still causes some problems but it's like adjusting or adapting to any other phone.

I wished the phone had better flash support (like iPhone's Safari or WinMobile), a better media manager or a way to keep prying eyes from viewing some of my stuff (wink wink) as well as an extra battery. But like I said, this phone is still ridiculous!

Updated on Dec 17, 2009

After a month + of usage (hey, where's my rebate-haha), I'm getting the knack of the appeal of customization. I was told at androidforums.com to go crazy with the widgets (add & delete). That way, I'd get comfortable with customizing the phone. And they were right! Everything (the widgets/settings) that is there can be removed or put back. That helped me not be afraid of changing the settings to my liking (or add buttons to the default settings-yeah, somewhat insecure-haha). That's what is cool about the U/I (and the Android market), you aren't limited to the defaults of the phone. A few quirks I have: The travel clock (shows 2 time zones). The home time zone is different than my actual time zone so I get 2 settings in one time zone. It must be a network glitch because I've tried to change it and it stays an hour ahead. Also, I've read that the chrome on the buttons peel. I've experienced that myself, but it isn't a problem. Overall, this phone is still way crazy cool.

Pros E-mail works great and show up about 20 secs after I truly receive the e-mail for me (astounding time) Calendar is synced with Outlook and Google Calendar for my business and personal life. Several apps at once, unlike iPhone only able to run 1 app.

Cons Battery life last me from 7:00am to 6:00pm... this is with a full day of app using, texting, calls, emails, web browsing and setting calendar dates. Doesn't bother me because my work day ends at 5:00pm and I am home by the time this phone runs out.

Summary There is too much to say about this phone... Go to a sprint store and try one out. The app market is in no way limited and I can't think of a single app i'm missing. Amazing phone which works great. This phone is a major seller for me because it integrates e-mail and texts into one kind of simultaneous messaging feed. Contacts are also linked to Facebook... this sounds silly but gives your phone a professional look with pictures for every contact. All I can say is that this phone keeps me 100% connected to my job, friends, and family all at the same time. Beyond that the phone covers every aspect of my life. I have not been to my computer in days except to type papers (updating from my phone). This phone can read PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, use Flash content, and watch you tube videos straight from the page they're on. Buy this phone and you won't be disappointed... Worst that can happen is you returning the phone with in 30 days. (Sorry it's not a great review but this phone really is amazing. Check out the Features)

Pros read bottom

Cons read bottom

Summary pros- battery life
SENSE UI
not apple
amazing qaulity
flash player!
5m cam
awesome speaker qaulity!
turn by turn gps
solid feels real nice and not like a toy like the g1 or iphone
light up trackball and buttons
very responsive auto backlight
htc and android widgets
best smartphone out in my opinion
cheap plan
fast network!
visual voicemail and bookmarks
turn music you put on sdcard into ringtones and trim them with built in program instead of downloading an app
market is has a good selection
cons- ive noticed a little bit of lag but none that affects my phone nut next update should take that all away
its on android 1.5 but i know they are tweeking 1.6 to work with sence UI not phones fault but when it gets it WOW i cant wait!
no multitasking :( lol but i dont care
bottom line-
get this phone cheap plan i got it the day before release and have been following it for the past month. i have not had any problems no dropped calls always on EvDo network once in awhile 1x but mostly EvDo its so fast! beat my friend iphone by a mile and my other friends with the pre just got jealous of me when i whipped this bad boy out trying to say multitasking is the only reason they would stick with the pre but i cant stand that oreo affect it has. this hero unit is real solid feels nice in the hand. i cant wait for that firmware update real excited to see that!
just get it if your want a smartphone forget all the others!

Pros Comes with nice applications and the 3G network is very responsive.

Cons Battery life. Thankfully with couple of apps from the market is an easy fix and you can get some decent battery life but you still may wanna carry your USB cable just in case. Media player not so good as in iPhone.

Summary 1. There is no such thing as an iPhone killer.
2. Some people may want to start by understanding that the iPhone is an MP3 Player that became a phone. All other are phones that want to become MP3 Players.
3. Until somebody (and Google may do this) creates their own software such as iTunes the iPhone is going to be the best in this category only because of something very simple, SUPPORT. iTunes gives the best support there is for Apple's devices.
4. I had an iPod Touch and I just wanted a device that would simplify my life so I could stop carrying too many things in my pockets, this phone did this and more.
5. Applications, one of the big things in the reviews. I don't know anybody that has every single application there is in the iTunes Marketplace, there are just too many. It has been 3.5 generations of iPhone (that is what 3G S stand for right) of course they are going to have more apps than anybody else, but the Android Market place has just about the same most popular apps as in iTunes.
6. The keyboard is kind of laggy, but is bearable.

Overall is a good phone which gives the people like me which don't like iPhone's carrier a nice option to buy.