Database Users

Should I buy this phone?

Was wondering what's the track record of Samsung getting custom Roms/firmware?
I really like how XDA have developers to do custom ROMS for HTC phones but was wondering does Samsung phones gets same treatment? Or will be looking at far and few in between updates from Samsung itself and won't be able to update to the latest and greatest?
Really want Nexus One but the Galaxy S is sooooooooo much better *sigh*

Can't answer your question on whether the Samsung will get the same amount of Dev time that has been lavished on the HTC phones, but I was in the same situation as yourself - Galaxy S or Nexus One.
I came down on the side of the Galaxy S simply because it's a better phone all round. There's a multi-touch vid on youtube comparing the responsiveness of the screens, and the Galaxy wiped the floor with the Nexus One. I'm hoping that the popularity of this phone will mean that the Devs on here will start giving some time to the Galaxy S.
I must admit I was initially drawn towards the Nexus One because of excellent work that has been done by the likes of Cyanogen et al, but I took the long term view that surely the same must eventually happen with the Galaxy S. *crosses fingers*

For the Galaxy, there is MoDaCo. For the Galaxy Spica, there is Samdroid. Don't know much about the others, but they weren't released here in Europe anyway.
I followed Samdroid a while, thinking about getting a Spica. There are some awesome things going on there - they even tried to modify the touchscreen sensor, because the hardware does support multitouch, but the driver doesn't. AFAIK, they had no success, but still nice try. And they even opened a board for the Galaxy S, maybe Leshak fetches one and works some magic there in the future. If not, I am pretty sure somebody will.

If you want to customize it to run the latest roms, the question is: how "open" is this device?
I know that HTC made the Desire a pain in the butt to unlock/root, and they will improve this with every new phone the make, making them more and more secure and block customized images.
Is Samsung going to follow the same strategy?

I think you're right Magicdroid, the question would be how open this is. But even though the Desire was a pain to root, it HAD been rooted just cos there's lots of developers. When there are lots of developers, you'll get rooted device
I wonder if the Galaxy S will get lots of user base.............I just hope lots and lots of ppl will pick it up and then the chance of longetivity with custom ROMS dramatically increases....

I'm hopoing for good community support as well. I have an AT&T Tilt, and have doen well on the XDA site. I'm spoiled
I am very interested in the Galaxy S, but I"m on At&T, and the AT&T version i keep reading about doesn't have the same specs. So having to wait and see on that.
Also, I see a lot of negative feedback on Samsung support, and based on their previous Android phone (Behold I think it's called) is not getting an upgrade. Lots of complaints about being abandonded by Samsung.
Not sure what I'll do. If At&T doesn't get decent phones soon, I mahy have to look do Verizon.
Sorry...I'm rambling off topic.
The Galaxy S looks like a great piece of hardware.

MarvinTheAndroid said:
There's a multi-touch vid on youtube comparing the responsiveness of the screens, and the Galaxy wiped the floor with the Nexus One.
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Click to collapse
Hilarious! I just found it and laughed so much http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVlsRCMltDg
I was considering to buy a Nexus, but now I changed my mind...someday this mobile will hopefully get root and give enough space for customizations of every kind...just wait and see - it will come in the mid of June to Europe and I'm eager to hold one in my hands

I'm disciplining myself to not get this phone until there's a good team of developers move to it to get customizations going
aaahhh the wait the wait......

and, do you have one jet? the best mod is doctorz rom. it runs very smooth

God damn it. Did you sign up just to necro a thread that's over A YEAR AND A HALF old?

Is the galaxy apollo a spicia brother?

Hey guys, apologies in advance if I'm in the wrong place.
My gf is just about to upgrade her device and wants to go to a droid phone but doesn't want the extra cost to get a galaxy S, but she's determined to stay with a samsung device.
So, we checked out her options, and one offered by t-mo uk is the galaxy apollo. Now, I've never heard of that device, and its not listed here or wikipedia, but there are some reviews that say its running eclair and the model number i5801, which led me to this forum, thinking its a spicia variant(like how the galaxy s has the fascinate and so on)
So yeah, is the apollo an updated spicia or a cut down galaxy S or what ? And how comes no-one seems to be talking about the device. The reviews seem to indicate that it would have launched in the past couple of months but apparently to no great interest.
So yes... I figure that someone here will know what this device actually is and if there is anyone developing for it, or if its just a flash in the pan that isn't worth investing in.
Cheers guys, sorry for rambling!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

well it's better than the spica that it has a radio,
and lesser than the spica that it has a very less resolution, and the processor is slower.
a friend of mine just bought it and after using the spica i was not impressed with the screen clarity when compared to the spica, but a good value for money phone, considering it costs around 12,000 INR.
also it has the samsung's touchwiz which i personally hate ...
I would suggest the Acer Liquid, one hell of a phone if the budget permits, with a lot of devs working on the liquid.

munchy_cool said:
well it's better than the spica that it has a radio,
and lesser than the spica that it has a very less resolution, and the processor is slower.
a friend of mine just bought it and after using the spica i was not impressed with the screen clarity when compared to the spica, but a good value for money phone, considering it costs around 12,000 INR.
also it has the samsung's touchwiz which i personally hate ...
I would suggest the Acer Liquid, one hell of a phone if the budget permits, with a lot of devs working on the liquid.
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Click to collapse
Ah, so its definitely not actually a Spicia device then... Anyone know if it is developed for at all ?
Don't get me started on exactly why she HAS to stay with a samsung device and HAS to stay on her current network. If I could get her a Spicia (i think they call it Portal here) then I would, but alas the choice is between Jet, Wave and Apollo. Since Jet and Wave are basically feature phones with pretensions, at least the Apollo gives her the app store, proper email and internet and well... all the reasons why droid is a good thing .

^ As of now I have not seen any development on the Apollo.

i have Sony X10, Galaxy S, and I5700
Please get Galaxy S, you won't regret it.
it's got one of the best touch screen (sesitivity and accuracy)
I got i5700 as a backup android for my GalaxyS and I can't stand the small screen and screen inacuracy,
worst is Sonyericsson X10.
it's a total garbage.

What's your thoughts on the upcoming Galaxy S II

I ask this question as a current Vibrant owner from the day it came out. I have seen all that Samsung has done with its first line of Galaxy S phones and so I'm not sure if all the new technology is going to be worth the upcoming headaches. Its easier to get a working ROM from the community rather than deal with official Samsung updates.
If you feel the same way I do, do you feel like the Vibrant is the last Samsung device you'll ever buy?
I'm just curious and it might help me make a decision on buying any upcoming devices from Samsung. Also since I've learned that the new Sidekick is going to be a Samsung device, I'm already depressed about that one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

CharlieBoy808 said:
If you feel the same way I do, do you feel like the Vibrant is the last Samsung device you'll ever buy?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I will definitely be upgrading if possible. I love the vibrant, but I'm not sure if it will ever see 2.4. I remember reading somewhere that 2.4 will utilize hardware acceleration for the ui, I'm really looking forward to that.

This will be my next phone love the phone............

I'm currently trying to decide if I am going to upgrade to it or hold off for something else. I think it just depends on what else comes out at MWC and when the release date will be on the S II.
Sent from my Vibrant using XDA App

It's between this and HDdesire2 similar specs HTC doesn't seem to have a ffc.
Don't blame me, blame my keyboard's autocorrection algorithm.

http://galaxys2.samsungmobile.com/html/specification.html
I bought the galaxy s cause it had the most powerful cpu in the bunch + screen. The s2 = better screen + 1gb ram + dual core processor that's better than the hummingbird and the mali400 gpu is way better than current sgx540. Overall, it'll be the most powerful device in terms of hardware, i'll find some way to afford one!!
But yes, i'm pissed about the updates, wish they'd just release the source for everything and let the community do it if they don't want to.
Sent from my SXY-T959

It's not about buying it or not. That's a sure buy for me.
It's about when it'll be available on the T-Mo network. T-Mobile has its own 3G frequency(1700?) making buying a smartphone without this feature(i.e., that's not OEMed for T-Mo) a hard decision.

Im buying the first HSPA+, 4.3 inch Android phone T-Mo puts out. If this is it then ill be upgrading to this.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

I don't know... it is going to be sooooo expensive unless they subsidize it on T-Mo. Right now you can get a decent Vibrant off craigslist for $250 off contract. That's pretty unbeatable. I doubt I'll be getting one of these for at least a year.

i prob wont end up getting it, samsung ruined their phones for me!

My next phone. Perfect timing with tax time
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Thank you community! Your input is very helpful. I guess time will tell when it has a tmo version. If it costs to much then no, if the price is right then Yes! or I just get the sidekick as im getting sick and tired of this virtual keyboard lol.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Never again. Fed up with Samsung and their wannabe-software.
Concentrate on what you know; hardware.

Im kind of up in the air...cool comes with 2.3 but 2.3 isn't that great that's why 2.4 is out in couple months to fix what issues 2.3 has and to add features 2.3 should have had if it wasn't rushed.
So who knows when it will get 2.4
If i do decided to get im getting a real galaxy s 2 and not from carrier one thing to wait from Samsung another to wait for tmobile on top of it

Depends on what HTC has available on T-Mobile, if somehow HTC puts out a competing phone it will be a tossup, but will come down to the screen size and how well SLCD holds up against SAMOLED

demo23019 said:
If i do decided to get im getting a real galaxy s 2 and not from carrier one thing to wait from Samsung another to wait for tmobile on top of it
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My sentiments exactly. Straight from Sammy or no thank you.

Wow have you guys seen this video? Seems very laggy - http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-official-tegra-2-4-3-inch-super-amoled-plu/

Getting a Windows Phone. Tired of dealing with manufacturer skins or crippled Nexus phones (i.e. Nexus S).
Also, why do people put up with the high rate at which Android Manufacturers cannibalize their devices.
Vibrant 4G may have good download speeds but who will want it if T-Mobile gets a Galaxy S II Variant - the same way some people are getting Nexus S due to the Vibrant's issues?
That's 4 new phones announced since the Vibrant was released... 6 months or so? And I'm ignoring it's sister phones on the ohter 3 major carriers and phones like the Continuum on Verizon...
It's hard for these non-Nexus devices to keep value when manufacturers are releasing new phones at such breakneck paces, and it makes it hard to commit to purchasing anything, since the chances of a better phone being released so soon is so high.
There's a reason why iPhones and even Windows phones are selling for more on eBay and CL than even high end Android phones...

ferhanmm said:
Wow have you guys seen this video? Seems very laggy - http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/13/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-official-tegra-2-4-3-inch-super-amoled-plu/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Par for the course...
The fanbois are running out of excuses. I wonder if they'll claim Android isn't optimized for Tegra II this time, like they did with the Hummingbird.
The issue was always Samsung's RFS and crappy TouchWiz. Why buy something with TouchWiz on it, and I wouldn't rule out RFS, either...
Also, is it just me or does that phone have some odd choices of pre-loaded applications... Vlingo, for example...
Looks like an iPhone 4, though.

I really wish they would get rid of the chrome and round out the phone little
like the NS but still looks nice
N8ter said:
Par for the course...
The fanbois are running out of excuses. I wonder if they'll claim Android isn't optimized for Tegra II this time, like they did with the Hummingbird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tegra 2 guess was a typo its supposed to come with Samsung Exynos
either way 2.3 isn't even optimized for dualcore 2.4 is suppose to be

Galaxy SII or Sensation

My first android phone was Nexus One and after a year in December i bought Nexus S. Now i feel that i need a new phone or a tablet,right now i m little confused between samsung Galaxy s2 or Htc Sensation.
The reason i m posting is that many of you guys came from flavored to vanilla phone like Htc and galaxy. So i want to know which phone is devs favorite and has more roms and will be better for gaming and stuff.
Or
Should i go for Galaxy tablet or Asus EEEpad?

Go do your own research about Galaxy S2 vs. Sensation. People here at these forums prefer the Nexus S over anything. We get the Nexus series because manufacturers don't have any say in anything. They simply just provide the hardware.
Not being a jerk or anything, but we shouldn't have to babysit you one by one our opinions about what phone to get when we're already enjoying the one we already have.

Amritttt said:
My first android phone was Nexus One and after a year in December i bought Nexus S. Now i feel that i need a new phone or a tablet,right now i m little confused between samsung Galaxy s2 or Htc Sensation.
The reason i m posting is that many of you guys came from flavored to vanilla phone like Htc and galaxy. So i want to know which phone is devs favorite and has more roms and will be better for gaming and stuff.
Or
Should i go for Galaxy tablet or Asus EEEpad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a tough question because everyone has different needs.
I have used MANY Android devices, I'm almost ashamed to admit.
I currently have the Nex S, HTC Glacier and a Motorola Xoom and I'll probably be getting the SGSII soon.
The Sensation is really nice. I have the ROM with Sense 3.0 running on my Glacier now and it's pretty sweet, but I still would prefer the SGSII without a doubt.
So it's really a YMMV situation, based entirely on your preferences, needs and wants
However, I've heard the new Samsung Galaxy 10.2 is currently regarded as the best Android tablet out now. So I hope that helps.

zephiK said:
Go do your own research about Galaxy S2 vs. Sensation. People here at these forums prefer the Nexus S over anything. We get the Nexus series because manufacturers don't have any say in anything. They simply just provide the hardware.
Not being a jerk or anything, but we shouldn't have to babysit you one by one our opinions about what phone to get when we're already enjoying the one we already have.
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C'mon man.
Lighten up a bit.
It's a community.
We help each other out.
He asked a harmless question.
That's all.
He clearly lacks experience and is looking for guidance from those that do.
Is that really so bad?

phonepersonality said:
C'mon man.
Lighten up a bit.
It's a community.
We help each other out.
He asked a harmless question.
That's all.
He clearly lacks experience and is looking for guidance from those that do.
Is that really so bad?
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Click to collapse
It's really bad when you're coming to a respective forum and people are giving their own opinions about the phone when the REAL facts about the phone itself are on Engadget. These phones are made to fit a person's personality. One phone will please one person, whereas, another will knock it down because it's simply not what they're looking for.
Galaxy S2: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/
Sensation: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/htc-sensation-review/
I'd go with the Galaxy S2. That's just me. Happy?
I just find it really rude to come here and start talking about two phones that have absolutely nothing to do with its respective forum. People here (especially Sprint) users just got the phone and it's making them have regrets in buying the NS4G because with this thread, it makes the NS seem like an obsolete device when development for the NS/NS4G is starting to boost.
Sensation XDA: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1109
Galaxy S2 XDA: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1055
Note: Going to one of those forums and asking the same thing, they will most likely side with their phone because its a biased post. Just like how I'm standing up for the Nexus S. However, it may be more informative since they ACTUALLY have the phone in their hand and can list their personal experiences with the phone rather than us providing our experiences based on our readings from tech blogs. Fair?
Quad-core phones are coming out later this year with the upcoming rumored Nexus device anyway, which will most likely be the flagship "Ice Cream Sandwich" device. The leaked roadmap for NVIDIA Tegra lists that Tegra 3 (Quad-Core 1.5GHz) will be released within this Fall.
And since the Nexus S is a Nexus device, it will be one of the first phones to get "Ice Cream Sandwich" (or whatever it will be called). Having that in mind KEEPS me on staying with Team Nexus. Because there's really no reason to go out of Team Nexus when Nexus devices are getting their updates directly from Google including a fully deoxed ROM being released in a short period of time. ESPECIALLY when these devices being released are not optimized for Dual-Core (or above) usage. It doesn't matter if it has a 8-core CPU, if the OS doesn't optimize those cores, then it really doesn't matter. That's the end of the story.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. I hope this makes you stay with Nexus devices because they are truly unique phones and people should learn to appreciate them more. We will get our updates faster than any other phone and to be honest, I don't trust any manufacturer that determines whether or not when I will get the OTA. Even still, CyanogenMod does a great job on keeping users at the highest Android OS version possible but a stock version of the latest will help. Especially when Nexus devices are un-bloated and built from AOSP for the most part.

GS II... hands down.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

I would go for SGSII since it's a Galaxy S series phone, where almost everything is possiblility

man, you need to get both in hands to decide! since in real world specs means nothing! sensation has better resolution, buy s2 has mega hiper super amoled plus (or whatever samsung is calling it now)...
pick both phones and use it for a while, then decide!

http://androidandme.com/2011/06/new...ou-might-want-to-wait-for-the-nexus-3-part-1/

Does it make me a terrible person that I want to pay full retail for that phone despite only having my ns4g for ~2 months now?

Why not just get a tablet. If your that much of a power user and need a new phone after a couple of months. Give your eyes a rest and get something bigger
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

I prefer the overall non-branded android phones hence the nexus S I currently have. Had an HTC before and got kinda fed up with the bugs/issues and SLOW response from HTC to provide firmware updates.
I've had the Nexus S since Dec 2010 and I've already had four firmware updates!
Friend at work has the SGS2 and its a nice phone.. though I'd prefer it without touchwiz naturally lol

sjtscott said:
I prefer the overall non-branded android phones hence the nexus S I currently have. Had an HTC before and got kinda fed up with the bugs/issues and SLOW response from HTC to provide firmware updates.
I've had the Nexus S since Dec 2010 and I've already had four firmware updates!
Friend at work has the SGS2 and its a nice phone.. though I'd prefer it without touchwiz naturally lol
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Well the fact that Samsung gave a CM7 developer a Galaxy S2 to dev CyanogenMod meant a lot. I give Samsung more credit than they deserve regardless of how people criticize Samsung.
Motorola is just a no no.
HTC would be my second choice. I respect them for their commitment to "unlocking bootloaders." But the fact that they wanted to lock the bootloaders in their first place is shady.
Samsung doesn't really lock their bootloaders, its just fully open. And no, I'm not referring to the NS. The Galaxy S series wasn't even hard to unlock, just rename to update.zip and flash it in stock recovery.

I dont think so nexus 3 will be tegra 3 1.5 quad core so now i am thinking galaxy s2 or lg optimus 2x(g2x)

Nexus 3
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

NYYFan325 said:
Does it make me a terrible person that I want to pay full retail for that phone despite only having my ns4g for ~2 months now?
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Click to collapse
yes, it makes, you are terrible! =oP
that was the main reason i came to nexus, i want to trade it only for a new nexus... this hardware race is insane! it reminds me the old times of PC: 166mhz, 233mhz, 300mhz... MMX, 3DNOW

just look for better battery life .. wichever provide u better battery..and i think almost all phone now days coming with dual core n higher ram..
if u dont really care about updates than just pick one, which looks n feel better
cuz there arent much higher upgraded features coming anymore soo 2.3 and above is all cool

SGS2 because:
Faster everything
Slimmer profile
internal storage plus micro sd
physical button on the front
not Sensation because:
Wifi Death Grip issue
Sense 3.0 = which is garbage and pure eye candy

nexus one was my first android as well, and coming from vanilla, sense > touchwiz for me. Actually, a lot of ppl prefer sense over touchwiz. thats what you should look into if youre coming from vanilla.
of course, you should look at the specs as well. i found that any hardware differences werent significant enough for me.
Even though i'm not a fan of touchwiz, i ordered the sgsii because its compatible with the network im heading to, and mainly bc it looks like samsung really brought their stuff together and put a lot of work into the phone...where as (while i'm not doubting the work put into it) the sensation comes off as merely a dual-core EVO 4g.
just my 2 cents.

I don't understand why people prefer Sense > TouchWiz.
Sense is ALL EYE CANDY.
TouchWiz, first thing that comes to mind is looking like iOS. This is true, but when you put TouchWiz launcher under the hood and use LauncherPro/ADW over it. It's actually a great skin. TouchWiz implemented new features such as the power widgets on notifications bar and added codecs to play 720p. The Camera App was amazing too.

[Q] Moving on from the HD2...What Next?

So after just over 2 years, I think my HD2 has offered me all it can, and now I want to get a new phone. Only problem is, I dont know what to get! Ideally I would like to stick with WP7, but the manufacturer of the phone isn't too important. Camera, screensize(large) and battery life are the main features I am after. Really, I think the only contender is the HTC Titan, but I haven't really seen many others available. is there anything out now, or coming out soon that would be a good replacement? I was hoping the Nokia Ace might be coming soon, but i cant find any firm info

I've had my hd2 also for 2 years and just bought the Galaxy Nexus and haven't looked back. Awesome phone!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Saw a Samsung galaxy note today..
I think this could be the successor for me..
Time will tell..
I like the 5.3'' screen a lot..

I fancy the ss note too,, but I'm waiting till summer and buy one outright once the price drops and the devs fully open it up. In the meantime I bought another hd2, (since I've been living with a cracked screen and no gps for 18 months since a drunken phone fumble, *cringe* )

samsung galaxy note i have also been looking at, along with the galaxy s 2. im liking the idea of wp7 on the galaxy note....

maybe
a Htc Sensation xl; 4,7 inch display and Sense..

Just go with WP7, 5 on the HD2!
It'll probably never be ported to the Samsung Galaxy Note, and or any other phone from the galaXy series
Sent from my nexus s using xda premium

I currently have the galaxy note and it is the bomb, a few issues here and there but nothing out of the ordinary. Just looking for more development, but will take time. I remember when the hd2 was the same all there was was wm6.5 then a very shoddy sd Android build and now it's a living breathing machine capable of so much more.... The hd2 will ever be in my debt and I will never get rid of it. On that note I would like to give out massive respect and thanks to all developers and users in the hd2 forums that have helped over the last few years.
Gone but not forgotten.
Jamie R
Sent from the HD2's closest replacement, the Samsung Galaxy Note

Wish I hadn't sold mine when I got my release SGS2. Just for playing about with it was far and away the best phone ever. Technically it is clearly well behind now, but we are three years on so that is hardly a surprise

I see the rumoured htc edge is truly the only phone that comes close to being the true successor of the HD2

Marcus2283 I see the rumoured htc edge is truly the only phone that comes close to being the true successor of the HD2
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Click to collapse
Same, I'm finished with my 2 year HD2 contract next month and I'm itching to get a new phone, been eyeing up the Nexus for a while. But I'm scared of buying it and getting buyers remorse the instant the HTC edge or the Galaxy s3 are released.
But I really dont want to have to wait another 3 or so months to upgrade

hd2 lagacy
i should recommend u something android related
the galaxy family is the perfect one, so Galaxy S II or Galaxy Note will be ok, including there ICS update

♦♦ Galaxy Note ♦♦
Galaxy NOTE seems to be the only device right now which i think is pulling me towards itself and away from my hd2 !
the device (hd2) has served me very loyally over the past months...
but still i would keep my hd2 as a second phone and galaxy note as first ! !

As my friend did
I also think bout buying it))
Sent from my NexusHD2 using XDA App

why dont u get a gs 2? its fast, screen is big~~ anything u want its on it~~

galaxy series...

I think im going to take the plunge and get the titan! looking at getting an android tablet so I will have the best of both worlds (PC world have an Advent tablet for £130!!)

first i was looking at the nexus, but no sd-card slot? no way! so i'm landed with the galaxy note, now since 3 moths. i still love my hd2 on miui rom, using it with my prepaid sim card, but the note... wow... also good rom devs around and a lot of possibilities in flashing...

Most of people quit HD2 for HTC Desire HD or HTC Sensation.
For Android Phone, Galaxy Nexus is annoucing a new SmartPhone Class. Like HTC One series =D
HTC One X should be quad-cored with a 720p - 4.7" Screen =D

After 2 years of being loyal to the HD2 I finally ugraded to the SGSII and haven't looked back, yes I still have the HD2 running MIUI ICS the Galaxy S 2 is a great replacement, sure the dev support is not as deep, but give it time, it will be.