Database Users

Sprint Hero silver faceplate defect?

Hi everyone,
So I just received/activated/started using my new HTC Hero this week, and I really love the phone. Just today I noticed a strange new phenomenon that I hadn't seen or felt up until today. Wondering if anyone else has the issue, because I'm considering returning my phone to get a replacement - I've had it less than 5 days.
My front silver faceplate, where all the buttons are, seems to be a bit loose on the left side (by the Menu/Home/Send) key. When I press down on it ever so slightly, it makes a very quiet clicky noise - similar to a regular button press but much softer. The right side of the silver area also presses down, since it is just plastic, but makes no noise - just the left side.
This makes clicking the Menu and Home keys much less pleasureable considering it almost feels/sounds like I'm getting two "clicks." This is the type of hardware behavior I'd expect after having the phone for 6 months - not 5 days! To make matters even weirder, the problem seems to come and go, and I haven't figured out a definitive pattern to that yet. Should I return it for a new phone?
Anyone else noticing this (or any other type of physical defect) on your Sprint Hero?

I think you are just over reacting... Mine phone also does this and I have had it a month before release without any problem. I think it is just how the button is designed flush with the rest of the other buttons all in one plate.

I believe it's supposed to be that way as well. You're more to welcome to go to the retail stores and check out other Heros there to confirm.

Yes mine does this and it makes the phone feel a bit cheap. But I'll live.

I have 3 hero's in my family. One of them was creaky and drove me nutz, swapped it out at BB. New one works awesome..... I could not live with the creaky buttons. felt like my refurbed touch pro.... ewwww

Swap it out. It may be true that many DO do that but they SHOULDN'T and it represents a defect. Don't be told otherwise. My didn't/doesn't do that, my gf's did and we swapped it out for a working one. Have them open the boxes to find one you like. Sprint phone boxes are not sealed or taped shut, they just open so try till you find one (will probably be the first one you try out.)

I guess what bothers me the most is that it didn't do it when I first got it, I feel like my pressing the menu key too many times is what did it! It seems like a pretty bad design flaw... hoping they don't give me a hard time when I try to return it on Wednesday.
Thanks guys!

tduck said:
I guess what bothers me the most is that it didn't do it when I first got it, I feel like my pressing the menu key too many times is what did it! It seems like a pretty bad design flaw... hoping they don't give me a hard time when I try to return it on Wednesday.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Hero comes with a warranty. If it's truly a design flaw, then HTC will repair/replace the phone for the length of the warranty.
Like other people here say, all our phones do that, it's not that big a deal. I'm more concerned with the trackball. I mean, there's no way to remove it (that I've seen) to clean the mechanisms underneath. And if any of you remember when your mouse used to have a ball and not a laser pointer, those little wheels get really dirty and gunked up really fast. That's just sitting on your desk, I can only imagine how messed up the track ball will get going in and out of my pocket and being touched by filthy dirty oily thumbs all the time.

I know how bad a trackball can get I just got the Hero after having a BB Pearl 8130 for 1 1/2 years, I don't use the Hero's trackball anywhere near as much but I can see it has already picked up dirt from my fingers I just hope it doesn't turn into a problem like the trackballs on the BB Tour

that is normal, every SPrint hero i have seen does that, but like they said above, you can go to the retail store, (not a privetly owned one, they will make you go to the retail store) and see if it is a 'defect'

Mine doesn't do it. If it did I would return it.

I don't have this but my green phone button seems lower than the red one, making it a bit harder to press (especially cuase I have no nails due to biting them like crazy)

Finally, my 4th HD2, a FLAWLESS device !!

As you may have read before, I was really complaining because of the poor voicecall quality, screen alignment with the plastic cover and many other flaws. I have replaced my device twice and got each time a different problem. I decided not to give up...
Today, I got my 4th HD2 and the earpiece problem is GONE!!
The first thing I did was to have a look at the screen. It is perfectly flush/aligned with the cover. It used to be either deeper somewhere at the corners or higher.
The problem with the light sensor doesn't exist anymore and after more than 12 hours of extensive testing, I can say I don't have any problem with machine anymore. Finally a flawless HD2.
One thing I've noticed ( because I'm used to register all my devices the 1st day I buy it ) that the serial number is almost the same as the 1st device having too many problems, the difference is like 372 only and the 4th HD2 is even older than all the previous handsets ( Manufacture date: 2nd of Nov. 2009 )
I believe that this is not a problem with some specific affected batches. IMHO, it is random...
Hope that helped

I didn't follow your previous thread. Do you have a summary on the problems you encountered and may I ask how you proceeded with your reclamation? Was it directly with HTC or through your vendor?
I also notice that my screen isn't perfectly aligned with the cover, it's a bit of gap to the top right, whereas on the top left i don't feel any gap. This doesn't kill me but if there are handsets that are perfectly made, I want one when I'm paying this much money. I also encounter sparkling sounds when talking, specially when using the speaker.

umiss said:
I didn't follow your previous thread. Do you have a summary on the problems you encountered and may I ask how you proceeded with your reclamation? Was it directly with HTC or through your vendor?
I also notice that my screen isn't perfectly aligned with the cover, it's a bit of gap to the top right, whereas on the top left i don't feel any gap. This doesn't kill me but if there are handsets that are perfectly made, I want one when I'm paying this much money. I also encounter sparkling sounds when talking, specially when using the speaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I was forced to sell the devices because they refused to consider the problems as well known... I lost around 100 Euros but got a good device after all... you know we all like perfectionism
Some of the problems like I mentioned :
-The screen not correctly aligned with the plastic cover
-Crackling and noisy earpiece when making voicecalls
-Very loose hardware keys and buttons. They are not rock solid now but way better
-Light sensor behavior was somehow weird. Doesn't always work, dont ask me why
- Screen jitters like the ones posted on youtube.
you can also have a look here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=590425
Cheers

Xeon said:
The first thing I did was to have a look at the screen. It is perfectly flush/aligned with the cover. It used to be either deeper somewhere at the corners or higher.
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Click to collapse
Yes, so as to be perfectly aligned after applying the screen protector. I installed mine two days ago and now the screen is perfectly aligned.

thehawkCB said:
Yes, so as to be perfectly aligned after applying the screen protector. I installed mine two days ago and now the screen is perfectly aligned.
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Click to collapse
It's a glass screen, no protector is required. Most HD2 screens are flush with the rubber/plastic sides - there isn't a recess, I would say the ones that aren't flush are manufacturing defects.

I've had 2 HD2s so far and both have the earpiece issue. The 2nd had what felt like poor fitting keys initially, but over the week I've had the phone they've bedded in nicely and now have perfect feel.
I'm just going to put up with the earpiece quality for now, it's not perfect but I'm sure future ROMs will reduce the volume which should be a good start.

Ah Im glad you finally got one that works for you
Hope you enjoy it
Im loving mine Im not as much as a noob as I was when I first posted a month or so ago, where I got flamed

I think I only have the two following problems:
-The screen not correctly aligned with the plastic cover
-Crackling and noisy earpiece when making voicecalls
The buttons are a bit loose but I didn't even notice that before someone else told me about it.
But I totally agree with you, I'm also a perfectionist, but I doubt I'll make any effort beyond contacting the support and see what happens. Specially the bad sound quality.
Oh well, I'm glad you finally found a nice piece. Take care of it now, don't drop it or scratch it

Ah you managed getting another one
Good luck with it! Treat it carefully

Xeon said:
( Manufacture date: 2nd of Nov. 2009 )
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Click to collapse
How did you get the information about the manufacture date of your device?
It would be really interessting for me to, when my device was builded.
Thank you in advance!

Xeon,
You seem to have gone through quite a few devices so, if you don't mind me asking, does your device have a rattle in the head of the device. I have got replies from quite a few people saying it is normal, but a few also don't have it. It's really starting to annoy me, I thought I'd live with it, but not sure I can now. Shaking the device hardly makes a sound, however, tapping it lightly near the camera gives me a big rattle.
Thanks in advance

My phone has a rattle toward the head area, and upon close examination, it appears to come from the camera at the top ofthe phone.
Since our phone doesn't havevs fixed focus lens, I'm assuming the rattle noise isthe autofocus mechanism.Therefore the noise is perfectly normal in my opinion.

Actually i think you are a bit too paranoic. That's fine, was same with me when I bought it and I think with everyone else. This feeling comes away after 1-2 months of actually using the phone rather than staring at it as at faberge egg from 2cm away everyday to find a scratch or a piece of dustd
p.s. - hardware keys are made that way for a reason and every hd2 has them the same way

NO actually mine doesnt ratltle but I discovered I got a faulty screen with the 4th device... shaking screen/cardio/untyped keys... the screen starts acting weird sometimes. IMO the last device is the worst as the noise problem during phone conversation wasn't solved and the distortion is so much annoying....
**** HTC, I am sorry to say it but nothing more to be expected from a device Made in Taiwan...
That's my last device, mark my words.

Xeon said:
**** HTC, I am sorry to say it but nothing more to be expected from a device Made in Taiwan...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know where the iPhone is made, do you? And besides the iPhone, pretty much every electronic device you're using...

[sarcastic] You're really lucky man! [/sarcastic]
My first HTC HD2 got broken and I've changed it, bought another HTC HD2.
Noticed that its build quality is really excellent compared to my old HD2 (that was one of the first produced), I've only had some weird problems with the touchscreen like yours, but I've solved it pressing it in the four HD2 angles: now the screen is more IN the device housing in the top right angle, but all of my digitizer problems are now solved.
Now my HTC HD2 is perfect.
Try with that.
Ouh, and remember that the noise in conversation can be a ROM problem!
Mine had too, but updating to the newer TMOUS radios I don't have it anymore!
Just software/network problems
And.. don't be paranoic, the PERFECT thing doesn't exist (talking of the rattle..)!

freyberry said:
You know where the iPhone is made, do you? And besides the iPhone, pretty much every electronic device you're using...
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Click to collapse
OK Apple is robbing people and HTC is following.. thank you.
And no.. Nokia is made in Finland and some other European countries including Germany. You can guess that by looking at the serial number that's why you get what you pay for...
Sony low end laptops are made in china but high end ones are made in Japan like the S/Z/T series... You see, you pay for a top notch device that much of money expecting it to be almost fault free. With HTC you never know, it's all about luck.
It makes me laugh reading how many people here got a faulty handset. When someone states a problem experienced with his heaset, the first answer is " seems you got a faulty device"
For god's sake a fault should not affect more than 0.5% of the devices.. but with HTC, it's like a feature; each client gets a different problem with the hardware. I can't tolerate the polls results.. Like the one with Weird touch screen behavior and issues. More than 55% have a buggy screen.. I know that it's not a case study nor a realistic accurate interpretation but it gives you a clear idea about what's going on.
I swear on my mother's life that this device( including all the previous 3 ) has the worst call quality a handset could produce. Believe me everytime I make/get a call I start blaspheming. I burned more than 1000$ on this device but thanks I took the lesson.
I still have my HD which is almost flawless compared to this product but slow as hell.
Don't mention iphone and apple things as I'm not apple fan-boy

Well, reasoning is obviously no strength of yours. Sad.

Xeon said:
I can't tolerate the polls results.. Like the one with Weird touch screen behavior and issues. More than 55% have a buggy screen.. I know that it's not a case study nor a realistic accurate interpretation but it gives you a clear idea about what's going on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
55% of people looking for answers to a buggy screen have a buggy screen, , , hold the press!
I'd wager most people in a petrol station have a low fuel problem. hehe

samsamuel said:
55% of people looking for answers to a buggy screen have a buggy screen, , , hold the press!
I'd wager most people in a petrol station have a low fuel problem. hehe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a repair center thus not a fuel station, its a poll where anybody looking for applications/tweaks/discussion participates so your " joke" is irrelevant

adhesive loosening on HD2?

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thats how mine is but in the bottom. not a big deal but i did feel it

several people reported the same thing before. screen not flush all the way around. there's no adhesive, the screen slides out of the outer sleeve if you remove the screws in back.

Oh...
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mine does it on the bottom.
it feels like there is a slight gap in between the bottom bezel and the screen.
It's not a problem at all, but it sure is annoying at times.

On the left side of my HD2 the screen is easier to push in at the top and bottom, but it takes a lot of pressure to make it "squeak".
If I had a cosmetic issue, you can bet I would be on a waiting list to get a replacement. The looks on these phones are nearly as important as the performance, IMHO.

oh i deff agree, @op, if you only just got it id be trying to take it back.

Same on mine at the bottom - just barely - if you slightly press between the usb and headphone jack you hear a slight (guess it sounds like) a click and you feel it slightly move. When the usb jack is plugged in it stops Some play and I don't think its worth returning - also don't think it will get worse. Case materials should have been a little more rigid. Think if you get a hard shell case or aluminum skin - when they become available you won't notice it. Talking to other guys with the HTC branded Euro version their build quality is a bit better. Think its pretty much the same with all HTC stuff - their branded models (TYTN TYTN II etc.) were build better than the AT&T versions - they also cost a lot more because they aren't subsidized.
Personally feel the HD2 of all the MS phones with the exception of the HTC TYTN I is the most solid. The Fuze which I just got rid of was probably the worst. The case was ok but the front keypad was pure junk - out of the box the thing felt like it was going to break and it never sat "square" in its opening. The USB ports on all of them were really weak and were super loose out of the box. The slide out keyboards always loosened up and had too much play.

stim141 said:
Personally feel the HD2 of all the MS phones with the exception of the HTC TYTN I is the most solid. The Fuze which I just got rid of was probably the worst. The case was ok but the front keypad was pure junk - out of the box the thing felt like it was going to break and it never sat "square" in its opening. The USB ports on all of them were really weak and were super loose out of the box. The slide out keyboards always loosened up and had too much play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the Touch Pro 2 has top honors when it comes to "feeling" solid. My sister dropped it the other day and cracked the bevel, with a large triangle missing near the volume rocker and three other cracks on the bottom, top and opposite side.
I am encouraging her to return it and claim the insurance, but since there is no change in the quality of the phone's operation, she wants to keep it.
Again, for me, the TP2 seems more solid than the HD2, but the HD2 is very well-built compared to other phones. I am so paranoid about even putting my phone down on a hard surface, due to the sharp edges of the camera mount and the light metal case.
I will be installing my new invisibleSHEILD as soon as sirphunkee and I can make the time to meet somewhere clean (I have a 2yo at home ). I imagine my paranoia will drop a bit then...

I dropped my phone while working out at the gym.
I was on the treadmill, and dropped the phone from my hand to the treadmill belt, then it flew out (i was running pretty fast at speed 7) and ended up hitting the wall behind me. Well, I freaked out and ran over to check on the phone.
Even though I had NO protection, the phone was perfectly fine. Only a tiny scratch that's barely visible on the top left bezel, and everything was fine.
I really was surprised at the sturdiness of the phone.

Snarksneeze said:
For me, the Touch Pro 2 has top honors when it comes to "feeling" solid. My sister dropped it the other day and cracked the bevel, with a large triangle missing near the volume rocker and three other cracks on the bottom, top and opposite side.
I am encouraging her to return it and claim the insurance, but since there is no change in the quality of the phone's operation, she wants to keep it.
Again, for me, the TP2 seems more solid than the HD2, but the HD2 is very well-built compared to other phones. I am so paranoid about even putting my phone down on a hard surface, due to the sharp edges of the camera mount and the light metal case.
I will be installing my new invisibleSHEILD as soon as sirphunkee and I can make the time to meet somewhere clean (I have a 2yo at home ). I imagine my paranoia will drop a bit then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My TP2 fell out of my hand in a parking lot, the thing didn't hit hard, but it left a small scratch on the screen (it was visible, but wasn't too obvious) and then some nicks at the corners of the device. It did look used. I returned it to T-Mo (I was still within 14-day remorse period) and used the money I got back to get an HD2 instead (for some reason I didn't qualify for either the full or the 11 month upgrade price, only 50 bucks discount... now that I think about it, I should have gotten it at full price, also, the day after it arrived (ordered online) T-Mo came out with the 2 for 1 smartphone, but alas, a new line was needed and I had no use for it).
I've dropped my HD2 at least 4 times since and there's not a nick on it. I figure the glass screen helps (as opposed to the TP2's plastic), even if it's a finger print magnet. I also have no problems with the screen or bezel being uneven, even after dropping it, nor have I had any single of the problems people complain about, so, go figure, I got the perfect production HD2.

Whew.... OK. Soooo glad to hear this isnt only my device. Mines is on the bottom. I also dont see it getting any worst and its so minor right now its probably not worth the hassle of returning. I tend to keep the gel case on it anyway..

thrashingdeth said:
thats how mine is but in the bottom. not a big deal but i did feel it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x2 same as mines.

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I had an issue with mine creaking, on the bottom. Mainly when I was pressing the start key, or back. Got a replacement and it seems better. For a phone seriously delayed I don't get how the quality is so terrible.

my first hd2 the camera lens started to rattle tmobile replaced it

Tm5078 said:
my first hd2 the camera lens started to rattle tmobile replaced it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was it the camera lens or the casing around the camera?
After watching the tear-down video I could see how the camera casing could be improperly installed and loosen after a bit of handling, but I thought the lens was pretty solid...

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JWang158 said:
Seriously, this phone is turning out to be pretty half baked.
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Click to collapse
I disagree. Not sure if I got lucky or not, but my phone is in perfect condition despite being a month old and spending most of that time in my back pocket.
I've sat on it countless times, dropped it from my hand to the floor twice and dropped it from the car holder to the console in my vehicle so many times I can't count.
The only problem I have is with the SMS freeze, and I've solved 90% of that by keeping my inbox clean. If I have the money for a class 6 microSD card, I'd bet on having solved the other 10% of my problems.
Since upgrading my radio, I don't have any problems with dropped calls, missing texts, loss of 3G or any of the other popular issues that seem to be plaguing the new owners.
Since bad news always travels faster and wider than good news, one simply can't infer from the issues being discussed here that they are the norm. I would suspect a very small percentage of the HD2 owners frequent the forums here, and of those another small percentage are having hardware issues.
I've been through a few of these new phone releases here in the past and from my experience I would say that this is pretty normal for the first few months of a phone's release. In another month or so there will be a firmware upgrade to fix the freezing and icon switching, then a lot of the issues will switch from hardware to software. Soon after that, I expect everyone will be clamoring for the release of a Windows Phone 7 ROM, followed a few months later by a newer, faster phone that everyone will be switching to. A cycle, vicious but almost predictable.

Loose Back and Search Buttons

I have been using a LG Optimus 7 phone from Telus for the past week, and since day one I felt that the back and the search button were a bit loose. There is basically a extra noise other than the clicking, kind of like a piece of plastic chipping, that comes out if I do not press the key right on the chrome-embedded symbol. The same is true of the search button, but to a lesser extent. Basically, the button presses were not "consistent".
I thought this was normal, until I visited the Telus store I bought it from. I tried the demo unit, and it felt normal, no extra clicky feeling. I asked the rep, and he brought a live unit from the back, and the same story, it was normal, and not like mine. So I am taking my handset back and replacing it with a new one tomorrow.
Anyone else experienced the same? If so, I recommend you do not compromise, and take it for replacement or "repair", as it can get annoying, given the sheer number of times the back button is used.
EDIT: I have replaced the unit, and the new one feels a lot better than the last one. I finally understand what some review sites were talking about, when they spoke of the very neat clicking of the tactile buttons.
However, I hate Telus, and their ****ty customer service. I was assured that the unit given to me was a new one. I was too concerened with checking the functionality of the keys, that I did not bother to look at the software. Basically, the handset given to me was a demo unit that was brought from the back to be shown to potential customers, or so I presume, since there was a live account already signed up on the phone, and obviously, I did not get the welcome screen upon first boot. Another anomaly I should have noticed in the store was the fact that the battery was already in the phone, and there was a lot of greasy fingerprints both on the screen, and on the back cover (inside and out). Now I am pissed, and taking the unit back for some "discussion" with the sales rep and the store manager. This was absolutely unacceptable. I bought the phone out of contract as well, so I will not be making compromises simply becuase of the amount that I paid for this phone.
PS: There were two tiny scratches on the back of the phone as well, as if the metal came was dragged on a table or something. Seriously, WTF TELUS!
EDIT 2: So, I exchanged this second handset as well. I really want to love this handset, but Telus and LG are making it extremely difficult. The store rep, obviously frustrated with my second product exchange, made it clear that "this is where we draw the line" on the exchanges. He brought FIVE brand new devices that had just arrived. I tried every single one, and EVERY SINGLE ONE made a different noise when clicking the buttons, some were loose and wobbly, others extremely quiet, but hard to press. Talk about consistency! I finally chose the most solid one that I found to be working well. Yet, after one day's use, the START BUTTON now is quite loose and wobbly. I think I will go back, or just hit up LG on possible solutions.
I wish there were tear-downs of this phone out there, so I could have possibly fixed it myself. I just don't want to be adventurous with the dis-assembly process.
Also, an issue that ALL the phones had was that the LED backlight has a problem at the bottom of the screen. To see this for yourself, put backlight brightness on low, and bring up white or grey screens. It is too obvious to miss...

I really wish this had gotten more attention, as it is a serious problem, so a slight BUMP!
Edit: I will never buy a product with physical front buttons again. Seriously, WTF?!!
And the vibration is also really weak. I was using a Samsung feature phone before, and my whole body would shake on the vibration, but now, I barely ever notice it, even if it is in my front jeans pockets.
Otherwise, I really like Windows Phone 7, wish the updates would flow sooner and faster and periodically to add features though.
And I like the phone. It is solidly built, and has a great feel to it when you hold it. The LCD is also very sharp and has nice contrast. If it wasn't for the buttons, and perhaps it had buttons similar to HTC Desire or something similar, then I would have loved this phone.

I have the same things on my LG. More on the back button than search. It is quite annoying and about the only thing that feels "cheap" on the phone. Seems lika really stupid design when everything else is so solid.
Haven't decided what to do yet. Hopefully the button will wear down a bit so it won't make the clicky noise when it connects to the bottom frame.
Now the bluetooth headset pairing not working is pissing me off waaaay more tho.

Hi!
I got mine last week - I am little confused about this as well. It does give it cheap feeling. I got a question besides the buttons, regarding vibration - How do i set it to high - Cause I think I have it ON high but I cant even feel it. Seems really weak. IF I am doing something wrong in settings please let me know. Or let me know the settings you have used I will give that a try. I like windows OS but not extremely happy with LG product.

Now the plastic cover on the windows/start button is starting to wear off in one corner. Wont last long for sure.

:S
same boat as you guys I got mine the very next day, BAM same thing button stopped working and your right telus was not helpful at all the call center agent's advice was "well maybe you dropped it." I went to the store and swapped it out this one works well we'll see for how long.

Omnia 7 vs Trophy

Hi guys,
Do to some over zealous clicking, I've managed to order both the Omnia 7 and Trophy phones. I'm going to send one of them back (unopened, so I can get my money back!), but the question is, which?
I know its a loaded question on this forum, but I'd be grateful for any advice.
My potential issues with the Omnia are:
1. There seems to be many more reports of faulty Omnia units than Trophy ones. It that your experience?
2. Samsung have a bad rep when it comes to updates, and the latest debacle with NoDo doesn't ease my mind. In your estimation, once they sort themselves out, does you see the upgrade to Mango going smoothly? (or even happening at all?)
3. Does the unit scratch easily? I have a Desire at the moment, and that has completely resisted all the abuse I've subjected it to and looks as good as new.
4. Is the power button placement really annoying?
By way of background, I've arrived at WP7 after long experience with iOS and Android, and I've fully researched WP7 - so I know that I will be happy with current functionality, though of course, I'm looking forward to future Mango goodness
Thanks for any help making my decision.
Cheers,
Ian

ianjohndawson said:
1. There seems to be many more reports of faulty Omnia units than Trophy ones. It that your experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, I've heard of a lot of Trophys that froze or restart themselves but that should be gone with the firmware updates I think.
With the Omnia 7 I have just heard some reports of dead pixels but mine has been fine and is running without problems for months now.
2. Samsung have a bad rep when it comes to updates, and the latest debacle with NoDo doesn't ease my mind. In your estimation, once they sort themselves out, does you see the upgrade to Mango going smoothly? (or even happening at all?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody knows what the future brings, but I'm confident that the problems they had are now sorted out and will not affect the Mango-update. BTW I didn't have any problems updating either.
3. Does the unit scratch easily? I have a Desire at the moment, and that has completely resisted all the abuse I've subjected it to and looks as good as new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always take care of my phones...my Omnia7 is looking like a new one after 6 months, as did the HD2 and the Xperia X1 before.
If you aren't careful, the camera lens might get scratched on a rough surface because it's very even with the housing.
4. Is the power button placement really annoying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A clear NO!
The power button placement is absolutely the best position one can have for it.
All my previous phones did switch on and unlock themselves when I placed the phone in my pocket (because then the phone is upside down and through gravity the button is pressed when moving). With the Omnia7 position this is no issue anymore. The button is easy to reach but there are no unwanted button presses anymore. I'm very glad the button is where it is and I doubt I would buy a phone with the power button on top anytime again.

You can't compare these two phones.
The trophy is a mid range device while the Omnia 7 is the best WP7 phone.

1. There seems to be many more reports of faulty Omnia units than Trophy ones. It that your experience?
From personal experience i seem to see most problems have been reported here on HD7s / DVPs
2. Samsung have a bad rep when it comes to updates, and the latest debacle with NoDo doesn't ease my mind. In your estimation, once they sort themselves out, does you see the upgrade to Mango going smoothly? (or even happening at all?)
The first ones were a bit of a **** up however by sticking to the carrier approval i don't really see much cause for concern. My updates went flawlessly on my Omnia 7. I can only see the process getting smoother
3. Does the unit scratch easily? I have a Desire at the moment, and that has completely resisted all the abuse I've subjected it to and looks as good as new.
Supposedly the Omnia 7 has Gorilla Glass so should be resistant. There is a thread on here about Gorilla Glass on the Omnia 7 and the absue people have subjected thier phones to. Check it out it should help ease your mind!
4. Is the power button placement really annoying?
I read about this in reviews and it is completely unfounded. It is not annoying and i have never accidently hit it during a call. If anything it is nice and easy to use as it is a natural place my thumb falls when i pick up the phone.
The Omnia 7 is a really nice unit. It's solidly built and the screen is gorgeous. I would definitely buy it again given the choice of any current WP7 handset.

1. There seems to be many more reports of faulty Omnia units than Trophy ones. It that your experience?
Not sure about the Trophy, but I have never had any problems with my Omnia 7. I have been using it pretty much since it came out in the UK
2. Samsung have a bad rep when it comes to updates, and the latest debacle with NoDo doesn't ease my mind. In your estimation, once they sort themselves out, does you see the upgrade to Mango going smoothly? (or even happening at all?)
Again, haven't had any problems with the NoDo update. I reckon Mango will be fine. Sorta related to updates, I think HTC will always be quicker to resolve any problems with firmware etc. Also they have better device specific apps. Samsung apps are useless on the whole and haven't been updated for a while now.
3. Does the unit scratch easily? I have a Desire at the moment, and that has completely resisted all the abuse I've subjected it to and looks as good as new.
I've got one little nick on the plastic bit around the phone and 2 very fine scratches on the screen after about 5 months of abuse. I tend to drop my phones a lot.. certainly looks better than my Desire did after 5 months
4. Is the power button placement really annoying?
I reckon some reviewers just got lazy and copied each other regarding this point. If they bothered to use the phone, they would find that there is no problem at all with the button placement! I've never accidentally switched off the phone during a phone call or while i've been using the phone.. I think it was just a theoretical issue from lazy reviewers! As others have been saying, the button location is actually pretty handy for when you want to lock your phone etc.
I don't really have any regrets about the handset itself. It seems to perform as expected... I'd only say that the storage space may not be enough for some people and also the Samsung apps are pretty pants compared to HTC and LG.. and I don't see them improving!

Thanks guys, that was really really helpful - decision made! (on the side of the Omnia, obviously)
Hopefully it'll be with me by the end of the week in time to distract me from the Royal Wedding, and see me through to the explosion of new WP7 phones in 2012

I could not agree more. I bought Omnia 7 three times. Each almost every month I have been replacing with a brand new one and it just delights me to look at when it looks me back with those colours.

Well, I like my Omnia and will keep it probably. But in my opinion the screen has its flaws. The color and the blacks are gorgeous but the resolution is not. You could see that especially with smaller fonts. Not a big deal for me but it's a fact. If you hold the phone normally you wouldn't even recognise.

Well it arrived yesterday with an unexpected bonus - it's the 16gb version! Unbranded other than a T-mobile splash screen. I've resisted flashing it, will wait to see what happens with updates over the next month.
Everything everyone said about the screen is true, was surprised how great it was, and how well it works in daylight. Button placement is great, it really
Sent from my OMNIA7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

(Oops!) ... Is a very slippery fish though!
Sent from my OMNIA7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

Gonna join the chorus and quote each question and answer immediately after. Hope my answers can lend some insight!
ianjohndawson said:
1. There seems to be many more reports of faulty Omnia units than Trophy ones. It that your experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had some minor dramas with my Omnia 7. A few months ago in January when it was raining constantly for like 3 weeks and the air was thick with moisture, the phone kept constantly beeping as though it was being plugged in to charge, even when it wasn't. It stopped doing this after the weather fined up and hasn't done it since. I'm going to assume it was moisture related. Another problem I've had is the audio sometimes doesn't record in video recorder mode. See the thread in this forum for my experiences with this issue (which seems to have gone away since I installed NoDo via Chevron updater).
2. Samsung have a bad rep when it comes to updates, and the latest debacle with NoDo doesn't ease my mind. In your estimation, once they sort themselves out, does you see the upgrade to Mango going smoothly? (or even happening at all?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one comes down to the carriers in my opinion. I'm in Australia, and they're only just now rolling out the NoDo update. Meanwhile it's been officially available in other territories. So your mileage will vary.
Honestly though, if the hacking community keeps it up, and I can get Mango via Chevron updater or some other method, I really couldn't care how long Optus takes.
3. Does the unit scratch easily? I have a Desire at the moment, and that has completely resisted all the abuse I've subjected it to and looks as good as new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really hate to admit it, as I'm typically quite precious with my gadgets, but I've drunkenly dropped my phone several times. Once it hit concrete, landing on the corner which resulted in it being sort of flattened, which was purely cosmetic and I managed to fix on my own anyway.
Another time I dropped it and it went screen first straight flat onto concrete and not a thing happened. Other than that I've kept it in pockets without other items, so there hasn't been any chance for the screen to scratch, really. But I've noticed no structural damage beyond the corner I mentioned. It seems to be quite a resilient screen. Really, it's going strong considering the regrettable abuse.
4. Is the power button placement really annoying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO! I absolutely LOVE where it's placed. I was a little concerned when I read reviewers talking about accidentally turning off the phone while talking on it... but now I don't even know what they were talking about!
I typically hold my phone in my left hand so I can swipe with my right index finger, and the lock key ends up right under where my index finger rests, so I can lock and unlock it without having to move my finger positions so (excluding drunken negligence), I don't have to worry about dropping the phone while fumbling to re-lock it. It really is ideal, and I'm glad the Galaxy S II (which I am pushing my sister to buy) has the same placement. Samsung is really onto something, I think
Edit: Poop. Didn't notice you already made your mind. Whoops!

ianjohndawson said:
(Oops!) ... Is a very slippery fish though!
Sent from my OMNIA7 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is!! When I got mine I bought a an advanced flexishield skin porduct code 26589 from Mobilefun. Its great and I recomnmend something like this to avoid dropping it. The Omnia 7 is a fantastic WP7 and I am loving it!!