[Phone] HTC Magic aka Mytouch G3 vs ??? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

KellyC · 07-30-2009, 11:31 AM

I'm thinking about upgrading my Rarz2 v8 to the HTC Magic which hits the shell next month.

I've been reading on it and it seems pretty good. But, being a tech idiot, I don't know half of the tech lingo on the specs or if this is worth the money when comparing other phones for the same price. My brother says iPhone is better and that the MyTouch is a "piece of shit" and discourages me from buying this phone. He's a lot more tech savvy than I am so I guess he knows what he's talking about but then again, he does have a huge boner for Apple and Apple products so he might be a bit biased. Likewise I have a disdain for Apple because well...I just plain don't like 'em.

So some questions

Is it worth the money? Or it's just hype?

Pros? Cons?

Is it better than the new iPhone 3G? Or comparing to phones in the same price range?

Data Plan. An extra 25 dollars a month add up to 600 over a two-year contract. I don't want that. I'm not even sure what it fully entails other than letting you you surf the web. A friend of mine has a G1 and he was able to cancel this by calling T-mobile; he uses wifi to surf the web now. Yes, he can't roam any more, but it's worth the trade off since practically every where you go there's wireless internet available. Is there more to the Data plan than this? And will I be able to do the same with the MyTouch?

Should I wait for something better from T-mobile?

Redlemon · 07-30-2009, 11:39 AM

Nevermind, I mentally expanded "HTC Magic" to read "Hitachi Magic Wand", which goes well with anything called "MyTouch", and, well, my brain is in an entirely different thread.

PonyPotato · 07-30-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Nevermind, I mentally expanded "HTC Magic" to read "Hitachi Magic Wand", which goes well with anything called "MyTouch", and, well, my brain is in an entirely different thread.

I did the same thing.

KellyC · 07-30-2009, 11:49 AM

Should I change the thread title then?

Glory's Sun · 07-30-2009, 11:53 AM

fixed it for you

Martian · 07-30-2009, 12:22 PM

Your brother is an Apple fanboi, and you're right to distrust him. That's not to say that the iPhone is a bad device, but calling the HTC Magic a 'piece of shit' is far from accurate.

Preface: I do not own a smartphone at the moment, because I have better things to waste my money on. I don't need that level of connectivity in my day-to-day life. I am a geek however, and so I keep up with these things. I love smartphones from the ooshinygadget angle.

Comparing the HTC Magic with the iPhone 3GS on specs, the two are pretty similar. The key differences are:

- HTC Magic has removable storage in the form of MicroSD cards, whereas the 3GS has 16 GB of internal storage. One really equates to the other for most users, since there aren't a lot of people who need to cart around more than 16 GB of data on their phone anyway. All the same, it's a nice touch.

- The HTC Magic also has a removable battery. I'm not a fan of the idea that I have to pay labour to have a technician swap out a battery for me. It's not rocket science. On the other hand, upgrade cycles on smartphones seem sufficiently short that for a lot of users by the time they need to replace the battery they'll be looking for a new phone anyway.

- And the big one, Android vs. iPhone OS.

Basically, HTC smartphones are all using Google's open source Linux-based operating system these days, known as Android. The differences in performance are hard to quantify, since one can't exactly install them on the same hardware for side-by-side comparison. However, Android's marketplace is a lot more lenient in terms of software available, and as far as I know you don't have to do anything like jailbreaking in order to run third party software on an Android phone.

Personally, I'd go for the Magic over the iPhone. Really, though, depending on what you want to do you're likely to do well with either device. Given that you've expressed an anti-Apple sentiment, I'd say the answer is pretty clear.

It abruptly occurs to me that in the US choice of carrier might factor into your decision as well. The HTC Magic is exclusive to T-Mobile, while the iPhone is exclusive to Sprint. This isn't a factor for Canadians, since both phones are offered by the same carrier, but if you have a specific bias for/against one of those two companies, that may be something to consider as well.

KellyC · 07-30-2009, 12:45 PM

Thanks Martian. This isn't MyTouch vs iPhone per se. What I'm looking for is the most bang for my bucks. I don't quite know I'll do with a smartphone since I never own one. I suppose getting surfing the web when I want/need is a big convenience but not a deal keeper/killer for me. I do text a lot so a good texting feature is helpful. From what I've read so far the MyTouch performs slightly below the iPhone in this area. A decent camera is also nice, since I wouldn't need to carry a camera when I go out. Then again, I may be asking too much for the price range. I'm only willing to spend around 200 (plus or minus 20).

Glory's Sun · 07-30-2009, 12:50 PM

if the web isn't that big of a deal and you text a lot .. why not just go with a blackberry?

KellyC · 07-30-2009, 12:56 PM

It's still helpful because I do acknowledge there will be times when I need to get on the web and not have my lap top with me. Plus I don't like the Blackberry keyboard or design. I think it's fugly.

telekinetic · 07-30-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Data Plan. An extra 25 dollars a month add up to 600 over a two-year contract. I don't want that. I'm not even sure what it fully entails other than letting you you surf the web. A friend of mine has a G1 and he was able to cancel this by calling T-mobile; he uses wifi to surf the web now. Yes, he can't roam any more, but it's worth the trade off since practically every where you go there's wireless internet available. Is there more to the Data plan than this? And will I be able to do the same with the MyTouch

You need the data plan initially to sign in and sign up, but then you are apparently able to remove it. Customer service will tell you you can't, but I think you can do it on the website. Then you can surf the 'net from wifi. I personally don't know why you would do this once you've already made the initial investment in getting a big touchscreen phone, but ok, whatever. I use my mobile internet ALL THE TIME...I even tether my phone and use my laptop when there is no wifi (airplanes on the ground waiting for takeoff, relatives houses, commute when I'm not driving, road trips, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

- And the big one, Android vs. iPhone OS.

Basically, HTC smartphones are all using Google's open source Linux-based operating system these days, known as Android.

Thankfully for microsoft, this is untrue--HTC is still the #1 producer of Windows Mobile phones, although they've claimed that half the phones they make this year will have Android.

Quote:

The differences in performance are hard to quantify, since one can't exactly install them on the same hardware for side-by-side comparison. However, Android's marketplace is a lot more lenient in terms of software available, and as far as I know you don't have to do anything like jailbreaking in order to run third party software on an Android phone.

Two big advantages of android: The OS is constantly being refined and rereleased, both by Google officially, and by the happy lads at xda-developers.com unofficially. My G1 runs an unofficial 'hacked' firmware, my wife runs the officially sanctioned Cupcake that Google pushed to her phone automagically, and we're both quite happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyC

Thanks Martian. This isn't MyTouch vs iPhone per se. What I'm looking for is the most bang for my bucks. I don't quite know I'll do with a smartphone since I never own one. I suppose getting surfing the web when I want/need is a big convenience but not a deal keeper/killer for me. I do text a lot so a good texting feature is helpful. From what I've read so far the MyTouch performs slightly below the iPhone in this area. A decent camera is also nice, since I wouldn't need to carry a camera when I go out. Then again, I may be asking too much for the price range. I'm only willing to spend around 200 (plus or minus 20).

If your primary needs are:
1) Bang for buck
2) Texting
3) Decent camera
4) maybe some web surfing?

I don't understand why you're considering either the MyTouch or the iPhone. I HATE HATE HATE devices that lack a physical keyboard. If I were you, I'd look into getting either a G1, a blackberry (any but the storm...I loved my Pearl, and would go back to it if I couldn't have a G1), or even a keyboarded dumbphone. If you just use the web every once in a while, a pearl or dumbphone is probably up to the task.

Smart phones these days are primarily designed for the web 'experience' (see: palm Pre--another good option with a keyboard, by the way), and secondarily for email, and if neither of those are priorities for you, why spend the extra $?

KellyC · 07-30-2009, 02:10 PM

Bang for the bucks translates to usefulness. That's why I'm eying the MyTouch because it has a lot of potential due to Android apps store, which has a lot of free and cool apps. Some of them may be useful. I may not browse the web a lot with my phone right now (because the Razr2 is the worst phone ever), but I may with the MyTouch.

Btw, when you use the apps, do you have to stay connect to the internet or you can use it offline? Or it depends on the apps?

Also, when the OS being "refined" and upgraded, is it for the next generation of phone or it's also for the one people currently use?

Quote:

You need the data plan initially to sign in and sign up, but then you are apparently able to remove it. Customer service will tell you you can't, but I think you can do it on the website. Then you can surf the 'net from wifi. I personally don't know why you would do this once you've already made the initial investment in getting a big touchscreen phone, but ok, whatever.

Because I don't want to pay 25 bucks extra for two years when I can pretty much do it for free. Most place I go have wifi so I might as well take advantage of that. School, libraries, friends' house, mall, movie, etc....

Rekna · 07-30-2009, 02:28 PM

If you like to text a lot then get the G1 (in black). The keyboard is great and is a must for heavy texters. I can type much faster than an iphone user or a mytouch user. The mytouch is essentially the exact same phone as the G1 without the keyboard.

Also T-mobile just added visual voicemail for the g1 and mytouch today! There are very few features that the iphone has that the g1/mytouch don't have but the reverse is not true. There are many features the g1/mytouch have that the iphone doesn't (like multi-tasking and background apps!).

07-30-2009, 11:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	[Phone] HTC Magic aka Mytouch G3 vs ??? I'm thinking about upgrading my Rarz2 v8 to the HTC Magic which hits the shell next month. I've been reading on it and it seems pretty good. But, being a tech idiot, I don't know half of the tech lingo on the specs or if this is worth the money when comparing other phones for the same price. My brother says iPhone is better and that the MyTouch is a "piece of shit" and discourages me from buying this phone. He's a lot more tech savvy than I am so I guess he knows what he's talking about but then again, he does have a huge boner for Apple and Apple products so he might be a bit biased. Likewise I have a disdain for Apple because well...I just plain don't like 'em. So some questions Is it worth the money? Or it's just hype? Pros? Cons? Is it better than the new iPhone 3G? Or comparing to phones in the same price range? Data Plan. An extra 25 dollars a month add up to 600 over a two-year contract. I don't want that. I'm not even sure what it fully entails other than letting you you surf the web. A friend of mine has a G1 and he was able to cancel this by calling T-mobile; he uses wifi to surf the web now. Yes, he can't roam any more, but it's worth the trade off since practically every where you go there's wireless internet available. Is there more to the Data plan than this? And will I be able to do the same with the MyTouch? Should I wait for something better from T-mobile? __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

07-30-2009, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Nevermind, I mentally expanded "HTC Magic" to read "Hitachi Magic Wand", which goes well with anything called "MyTouch", and, well, my brain is in an entirely different thread. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-30-2009, 11:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	Should I change the thread title then? __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

07-30-2009, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Your brother is an Apple fanboi, and you're right to distrust him. That's not to say that the iPhone is a bad device, but calling the HTC Magic a 'piece of shit' is far from accurate. Preface: I do not own a smartphone at the moment, because I have better things to waste my money on. I don't need that level of connectivity in my day-to-day life. I am a geek however, and so I keep up with these things. I love smartphones from the ooshinygadget angle. Comparing the HTC Magic with the iPhone 3GS on specs, the two are pretty similar. The key differences are: - HTC Magic has removable storage in the form of MicroSD cards, whereas the 3GS has 16 GB of internal storage. One really equates to the other for most users, since there aren't a lot of people who need to cart around more than 16 GB of data on their phone anyway. All the same, it's a nice touch. - The HTC Magic also has a removable battery. I'm not a fan of the idea that I have to pay labour to have a technician swap out a battery for me. It's not rocket science. On the other hand, upgrade cycles on smartphones seem sufficiently short that for a lot of users by the time they need to replace the battery they'll be looking for a new phone anyway. - And the big one, Android vs. iPhone OS. Basically, HTC smartphones are all using Google's open source Linux-based operating system these days, known as Android. The differences in performance are hard to quantify, since one can't exactly install them on the same hardware for side-by-side comparison. However, Android's marketplace is a lot more lenient in terms of software available, and as far as I know you don't have to do anything like jailbreaking in order to run third party software on an Android phone. Personally, I'd go for the Magic over the iPhone. Really, though, depending on what you want to do you're likely to do well with either device. Given that you've expressed an anti-Apple sentiment, I'd say the answer is pretty clear. It abruptly occurs to me that in the US choice of carrier might factor into your decision as well. The HTC Magic is exclusive to T-Mobile, while the iPhone is exclusive to Sprint. This isn't a factor for Canadians, since both phones are offered by the same carrier, but if you have a specific bias for/against one of those two companies, that may be something to consider as well. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

07-30-2009, 12:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	Thanks Martian. This isn't MyTouch vs iPhone per se. What I'm looking for is the most bang for my bucks. I don't quite know I'll do with a smartphone since I never own one. I suppose getting surfing the web when I want/need is a big convenience but not a deal keeper/killer for me. I do text a lot so a good texting feature is helpful. From what I've read so far the MyTouch performs slightly below the iPhone in this area. A decent camera is also nice, since I wouldn't need to carry a camera when I go out. Then again, I may be asking too much for the price range. I'm only willing to spend around 200 (plus or minus 20). __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

07-30-2009, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	fixed it for you

07-30-2009, 12:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	if the web isn't that big of a deal and you text a lot .. why not just go with a blackberry?

07-30-2009, 12:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	It's still helpful because I do acknowledge there will be times when I need to get on the web and not have my lap top with me. Plus I don't like the Blackberry keyboard or design. I think it's fugly. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

07-30-2009, 02:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rekna Junkie	If you like to text a lot then get the G1 (in black). The keyboard is great and is a must for heavy texters. I can type much faster than an iphone user or a mytouch user. The mytouch is essentially the exact same phone as the G1 without the keyboard. Also T-mobile just added visual voicemail for the g1 and mytouch today! There are very few features that the iphone has that the g1/mytouch don't have but the reverse is not true. There are many features the g1/mytouch have that the iphone doesn't (like multi-tasking and background apps!).