Database Users

[Q] Getting an HD2, is it worth it?

Hi!
I know this question was probably asked here lots of times,
and I apologize in advance, because I still haven't found the answer to my question
I have an option to buy a practically mint condition HD2 from a friend (he got a Desire HD, lucky him, I don't the money), he can sell it to me cheaper.
He says he installed Android on it, but as an app, (I still have no idea what ROMs, Flashing and all that means) not as a self loading OS, and the phone is still running WM.
So the question being, is it really worth my while getting the phone, fiddling around with it, installing Android and/or WP7 (I heard that's possible) and losing on battery time?
Is the battery time the only problem affecting daily usage?
How difficult/risky is it to install android/wp7 on the HD2?
Or should I just get a simple android phone (desire, legend, wildfire etc...)?

The HD2 is a beast of a device, and as long as you read, flashing isn't really all that hard at all. May I suggest my guide in my signature?
The HD2 can indeed run Android and WP7 directly from NAND, and most Android builds on the HD2 are actually faster than "real" decicated Android devices.

Thanks,
The guide is very interesting,
but turns out I'm a bigger noob then I thought,
Where can I find a guide on the basics (what is NAND, ROMs, Flashing etc...)?

I'm a little reluctant to reply but I'll give it a go.
It's not difficult to flash a ROM but before you do anything you MUST READ THOROUGHLY about whatever it is that you are doing.
Firstly, it is possible to put Android onto an SD card and run it without making any changes to your phone. You have to boot into Win Mo then switch Android. When you re-boot the phone it will boot back to Win Mo. This is what this whole section of this forum is about. http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=735
If you want to change your phone permanently then you have to flash a ROM and it is the slightly risky element. READ all the ROM flashing guides here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=713977
You can also Flash Android to your phone so that it replaces Win Mo. This is what this whole section of this forum is about. http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=928
To put Win Phone 7 or Win Mobile 6.5 on your phone you have to flash it like an Android NAND ROM.

If you can buy it cheap, then yes go for it.
It's highly addictive and most of all very impressive device.
I wouldn't say that the battery is still an issue now since it lasts at least a full day and USB to charge is everywhere nowadays.
Like Bouncypete wrote you will have to read alot on the go.
The safest bet is to use the standard WinMo and start Android from the SD-card.
If you like that you can always go to a Nand version which replaces the actually WinMo version inside the HD2.
You can always go back to WinMO incase you don't like Android (or WP7) or warranty purposes.
Most Nand and probably other SD versions have a good tutorial in the thread itself on how to get it on the device, or there are the stickies.
We are also not un-human so if you need something do a search, read, read again and then ask. No person will shoot you if you have searched and don't know what to do.
Now if you don't like the HD2 you can probably resell it for the same price you bought it for.

TDB!
The HD2 is still the best pda on the market. For anybody who wants anything just a bit more than a phone/media player, windows mobile still has the the largest and most flexible range of apps with the most options. I'm booting winmo 6.5 with Android 2.2 running from sd and there's nothing I see on the market at the moment which could begin to tempt me away from it. All the preceding of course subject to the all embracing "IMHO"!

patcooke said:
The HD2 is still the best pda on the market. For anybody who wants anything just a bit more than a phone/media player, windows mobile still has the the largest and most flexible range of apps with the most options. I'm booting winmo 6.5 with Android 2.2 running from sd and there's nothing I see on the market at the moment which could begin to tempt me away from it. All the preceding of course subject to the all embracing "IMHO"!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, the range of free and custom apps is what keeps me on WM. I have several preferred applications that I use. And I like the fact that there is (was) such a large developer community for the device. It encouraged innovation. I think there is less such activity when one is forced to deal with an "App" store that is monitored by the OS manufacturer.

OP,
Just make sure that you are indeed getting it for "cheap".
While the HD2 is a great device, it does not change the hard reality that it is an antique by today's tech standards.
You need to know how long your friend has owned the device, how much calls has been made on it.
I ask this because the longer he has owned the device, the greater your risk of having the physical buttons eventually fail on you. As much as I love my HD2, I am aware that the buttons will eventually fail. Please consider this.
Cheers.

just my 2c as the guyz above have given you tremendous input.
I have an option to buy a practically mint condition HD2 from a friend (he got a Desire HD, lucky him, I don't the money), he can sell it to me cheaper.
-> just check how "mint" the condition is. screen scratches, button usage (are they still springy or dull), etc.
He says he installed Android on it, but as an app, (I still have no idea what ROMs, Flashing and all that means) not as a self loading OS, and the phone is still running WM.
-> android is installed in the microsd of the phone. the hd2 is essentially still running windows 6.5 but you can launch android and use this as your os. the advantage being is if android crashes...and that's IF given the stability of the roms developed by the rom-Gods here....your phone is still fine as it was originally in windows. if you want to get android up and running again, you simply have to reformat your microsd and reinstall a new android build
So the question being, is it really worth my while getting the phone, fiddling around with it, installing Android and/or WP7 (I heard that's possible) and losing on battery time?
Is the battery time the only problem affecting daily usage?
-> battery life will probably be your first problem as you get into android. but as you go along, i would recommend that you "sample" the other roms and find out which one gives you the optimal results. the way you set up your phone is also vital. as i mentioned in another thread regarding battery usage, i'm quite pleased with my current set up. i normally unplug my unit from charging at around 10pm. in the morning when i get up, the battery shows 97% remaining. not bad considering that was an 8-hour standby and i'm also using live video wallpaper. again, it'll depend on the set up
How difficult/risky is it to install android/wp7 on the HD2?
-> installing android is EASY as everything is in the microsd. if you want to boot up via android then as the chaps recommended, you have to do further reading.
to answer your question, i would say yes it's worth getting the phone. the hd2 is an awesome device. it's a great way to get started if you want to have android or wm7 or other operating systems
some things to consider if you do decide to get the phone:
-upgrading the rom itself (the windows rom)
-upgrading the radio
although not essential to run android, upgrading these will definitely give you better stability when running the os. again, the guides are all there and the chaps are happy to help out.

With reading, the HD2 can be a very fun device. But if you have the mentality of unwilling to search, read, try out, then I'd say you should stay away from this phone. The HD2's isn't marketed to people who want something that just works, it's marketed to people who like to tweak, tinker, play around with or hack their phones.
So if you're unwilling to go read, understand, etc and just want something that works "perfect" out of the box, then I suggest you get a WP7 phone or iPhone.

Kailkti
You touched a nerve there, I'm currently using (or better say, being abused by) a Nokia 5800 with the latest firmware, and just 10 minutes ago, during a call it just froze up, wouldn't let me close the call, so I restarted it, and it took 3 minutes to connect to the network, what the hey?!
on one hand I love twinkering, but as long as stuff works, and gets better,
not twinkering for basic usability, which is kinda what's in store for me if take the HD2
regarding the condition of said phone, it was bought about a year ago, for my friend's father (being the largest screen available) and he never got around to use it much, just some skype calls from abroad, and a little of regular calls here and there
didn't leave the house much, so it's about as mint as they come.
price wise, how much does an HD2 cost nowadays?

Eugene_N said:
Kailkti
You touched a nerve there, I'm currently using (or better say, being abused by) a Nokia 5800 with the latest firmware, and just 10 minutes ago, during a call it just froze up, wouldn't let me close the call, so I restarted it, and it took 3 minutes to connect to the network, what the hey?!
on one hand I love twinkering, but as long as stuff works, and gets better,
not twinkering for basic usability, which is kinda what's in store for me if take the HD2
regarding the condition of said phone, it was bought about a year ago, for my friend's father (being the largest screen available) and he never got around to use it much, just some skype calls from abroad, and a little of regular calls here and there
didn't leave the house much, so it's about as mint as they come.
price wise, how much does an HD2 cost nowadays?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New ones are between 450 and 500 on ebay. Used ones generally go around $300 - 350.
But be careful of those cheaper "New" ones on ebay: many of them are in fact replacement phones sent by the carrier as warranty fixes - and my be refurbished, not actually new.

Eugene_N said:
...price wise, how much does an HD2 cost nowadays?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking price on CL here in the Bay Area is generally $200-$300.
I picked a pretty clean used one up Saturday for $150.
Got it running the unofficial CM7 nightlys now.
Bit of a learning curve but not bad.
I hadn't really touched anything but Nokia devices for several years.

Eugene_N said:
Kailkti
on one hand I love twinkering, but as long as stuff works, and gets better,
not twinkering for basic usability, which is kinda what's in store for me if take the HD2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD2 running WinMo has been VERY stable and useful for me regardless of all the crap people say about WinMO. To me it sounds like the HD2 would be a good choice for you as you can tweak WinMo as much as you like and have Andriod on SD and play with that as well.

If you like to explore and tinker, then feel free to get this fun device. It can entertain you in many ways.

So, I got it for a trial run,
It's awesome!!!
So I'm using an SD Android, with some sense features, dunno what it's called. But it's a bit sluggish and the screen freezes up from time to time, used a more stockish SD Android before, worked better though
But the battery times are lousy, after 4-5 hours with WiFi on, without 3g (no dim inside) I have to recharge it,
Is it normal? Or is the battery dead?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I've owned a number of devices over the last 8+years and the HD2 is the best so far.
I dropped my HD2 last year and had the option to sell the insurance replacement or keep it. I kept it.
I probably won't upgrade from my HD2 until there is a dual core phone on the market with both cores running at 1 Gig.
RAM ? I have plenty on the HD2, make it a LOT faster and I'll upgrade.
ROM ? Ditto.
Micro SD expansion ? Again, haven't used the whole 16Gb I have on this device.
What else is there ? Retina type display like on the iPhone (spit) ? Yes please.
HDMI Out ? I don't use HD content in that way preferring VLC or DLNA
Android ? Already doable but Android is still in beta, too, and it's still a bit rubbish
Is the HD2 worth it ? For me, the HD2 is the first fully converged device I've had and
it does everything I need it to do reliably, in a decently sized package without fuss.

@ eugene
If you're browsing the web, you can expect that amount of battery usage, especially if you're watch videos.
With normal use, and I mean say just about 2-4 hrs of on screen time, and the rest stanby, you can expect the battery to last two days.

buy it now!!!!!!!!!!!

I will add my two cents if i may...
terms ROM ( which can either be WM6.5, WM7 or Android)
HSPL ( a secondary boot-loader that should be flashed first to safeguards us noobs bricking our phones)
RADIO ( the software that talks to the hardware )
KERNEL ( don't know what this does as yet or how to upgrade it)
I bought mine only two weeks ago...
1. i read alot....from the HTC leo section
2. I flashed first MAGLDR v1.13 (HSPL) to safeguard against any major mishaps
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10197474&postcount=1
3. and then flashed a NAND android rom ... this we not so smooth as the phone kept on rebooting without notice
4. I upgraded the radio to as xx.50.xx.xx
5. I downgraded again to WM6.5
6. then back up to a nand CMYLXGO's BlueTopia HD(2)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916707
It is bascially that simple......run as smooth now as a baby's bottom

[Q] Thinking about buying a HD2

I’ve currently got a HTC Touch Pro and I’m thinking about maybe buying a HD2 which I can get on eBay for about £170 - £200 and that’s quite a lot of money so I want to be sure before I buy it. What has mainly gotten me interested in this phone is the fact it can run Windows Phone 7 which looks lovely. A few things I’m unsure about is the size and the fact this phone doesn’t have a hardware keyboard, I’ve used a friend’s HD2 before but only for a few minutes. Anybody here upgrade to the HD2 from a phone with a hardware QWERTY keyboard how did you find getting use to the onscreen one, was it better?
Thanks

It can run WP7, but it's a bit of a hack, you basically can't "activate" it to get apps from the marketplace or other xbox live services without calling Microsoft and getting a gullible representative on the line, which are hard to come by because by now they've mostly been briefed on this.
Also, who knows when nodo comes out in March if the old ROMs will still function indefinitely, nodo itself will have to be hacked in order for it to accept sideloading which Microsoft has stated they'd close. Also half the reason why the closed-source WP7 works so well on the HD2 is because it was prototyped on the HD2, the ROMs available now are based on those prototypes, after nodo, that also won't be the case, necessitating the making of drivers for a closed-source OS with no native SDK.
I don't want to sound negative, but my experience with WP7 is that it's not a "daily driver" on the HD2, and unlike Android on the HD2 is very much an unfinished work with an uncertain future due to Microsoft locking up the platform. It is fun to play with though, and I think you'd enjoy the HD2 in general, but if what you want is a WP7 phone, you probably should buy a WP7 phone.

I bought the HD2 for use as a student/scientist to be able to communicate with work effectively through email along with mobile office and all the great features it has. The lack of qwerty keyboard is made up for by the large screen. It gives a touch screen keyboard a lot of real estate to work with. But I just recently decided to install android on it instead of upgrading to WM7. That has made me love this phone. You can keep WM6.5 on the phone as well as install android for all the fun quirkiness you need. It has made this phone perfect for me. This phone is like a mullet: Business in the front (windows), party in the back (android, and by back I mean SD card).

I had a Desire and moved on to the HD2 about a month ago - the larger screen makes using the touch keyboard easier.
A side effect of booting Android off an SD card (as I do) is that a *full* backup of the installation can be made by simply copying the contents of the relevant directories on the SD card. Also, the data.img file (equivalent to the data partition on a phone where the O/S is installed in EEPROM) can be resized (with some care) to a larger size if needed.

Should you buy an HD2?
YES.
Firstly WP7 works properly and is EASY to activate via MS helpline.(1 phone call approx. 2 mins). There is a ton of support for you and any questions or problems you have, right here on this site.
A bit of a hack?... Yes, well this is XDA and I'm pretty sure you know that and are comfortable with it already.
WP7 on the HD2 works better (faster) than on the HD7!!!!
Secondly if you don't like WP7 as an everyday OS (are you ill?) then you can have WM6.5, Android, Ubuntu, Meego and even Win 95/98 or I think I read somewhere XP????
Why would you even ask if you should buy one?
£200 is cheap (£400+ rrp) compared to anything else on the market especially when you look at the specs and performance of those devices compared with the HD2.
I've had to upgrade my SD Card for £30, but I didn't have to fork out £300 for HD7, and I was going to upgrade anyway to fit more music on.
As for the soft keyboard...what can I say? It's bigger than the hard keys you've got at the minute and the Touch Screen works great.
The only question you should be asking is;
Why hasn't everyone got an HD2?
No matter what you prefer as an OS, the HD2 has got you covered thanks to the hard work of some great people on XDA, Cotulla and Bepe @ DFT and lots of others, too many to name here.
Essentially the HD2 will do what you want it to do when you want it to do it. And if what you want to do is sell it, for a new iPhone or HD7 (seriously, you may want to book some time with your GP), then plenty of people on here will want to buy it.
BUY... BUY... BUY....

Negativity
PloniAlmoni said:
It can run WP7, but it's a bit of a hack, you basically can't "activate" it to get apps from the marketplace or other xbox live services without calling Microsoft and getting a gullible representative on the line, which are hard to come by because by now they've mostly been briefed on this.
Also, who knows when nodo comes out in March if the old ROMs will still function indefinitely, nodo itself will have to be hacked in order for it to accept sideloading which Microsoft has stated they'd close. Also half the reason why the closed-source WP7 works so well on the HD2 is because it was prototyped on the HD2, the ROMs available now are based on those prototypes, after nodo, that also won't be the case, necessitating the making of drivers for a closed-source OS with no native SDK.
I don't want to sound negative, but my experience with WP7 is that it's not a "daily driver" on the HD2, and unlike Android on the HD2 is very much an unfinished work with an uncertain future due to Microsoft locking up the platform. It is fun to play with though, and I think you'd enjoy the HD2 in general, but if what you want is a WP7 phone, you probably should buy a WP7 phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WP7 on HD2 is a hack, yes, but this is the XDA site, and if you're here, you're probably already comfortable with that fact.
WP7 works properly and is EASY to activate via MS helpline.(1 phone call approx. 2 mins). There is a ton of support for you and any questions or problems you have, right here on this site.
HD2 was the test bed for WP7 on HTC devices, and HD7 is a slightly worse re-worked version of the HD2, so any future HD7 updates will be portable to HD2 which, if experience is an indicator, will run them better than HD7.
The Chevron7 unlock guys have been talking with MS about their sideload app, and although MS are going to close the loophole, Windows is Windows...infinitely hackable.
You may not be trying to sound negative, but you're not doing a very good job.

Definitely buy a HD2 and run Android (NAND) and you'll never look back.

Hi! I'd like to buy an hd2 too. My questions (in part you have already answered) are the following: i would buy an used hd2 to run above all android (and maybe occasionally i could try wp7 or the original wm6.5). But worth buying an hd2 for an unofficial rom? and android on hd2 is stable as the official one? has it problems (maybe it freezes...)? thank you very much!!!

jackal992 said:
Hi! I'd like to buy an hd2 too. My questions (in part you have already answered) are the following: i would buy an used hd2 to run above all android (and maybe occasionally i could try wp7 or the original wm6.5). But worth buying an hd2 for an unofficial rom? and android on hd2 is stable as the official one? has it problems (maybe it freezes...)? thank you very much!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running WM6.5 I stuck with HTC ROMs, but WP7 means Custom is the new Standard. I don't know about Android, there is a seperate forum, I've never used it, too happy with WP7 (WM6.5 is also very good functionally), which works perfectly if you do it properly. See the posts on this forum about SD Cards.
In short, if you've thought about buying an HD2 you've made a mistake. JUST DO IT, you (probably) wont regret it.
I offer no guarantees on your experience when you decide to purchase. My experience has been awesome.
I am not paid by HTC to advertise their product, however if they offered to pay me, I would gladly advertise the HD2.

I have a Touch Pro & bought the HD2 about a month ago. It is a good device. In my opinion Android is not that special & WM7 is not worth the hassle.
I find Energy WM6.5.x build ROMs superb, rock solid with great GUI of sense & CHT.
The only thing better in Android is available games, Android platform itself is far from ground breaking & graphically dull as dull can get.
On screen keyboard options are good with WM although I still prefer a hard keyboard but the HD2 is good becuase of the huge screen & of course the SnapDragon.
Viewing websites is also far easier with the large screen & Opera 10 or 9.7.
You won't go far wrong with a HD2 if you are up to speed on modding WM, W7 & Android will leave you with problems (W7) or dull OS (Android).
Everyone is different but at least with the HD2 you can have many platforms in one device if you so wish.

ok. thanks a lot!! last question: i already tried to change bootloaders and roms in previuos winmo phones, luckily always all was ok. But in the hd2 is enough simple change bootloader/radio? i know that there are always risks but i've seen a lot of threads about "bricked" and "dead"/no more usable hd2. My question then is: if you follow carefully instructions of cookers is enough improbable that you brick your phone?? is this true? sorry for my bad english!
ps: can i trust buying used hd2 that already have android or however unofficial roms? This doesn't mean that these phones are "bricked", is this correct? even better then i may not have to change radio, correct? thank you very much!!

First Time
I only found out about Custom ROMs, flashing and Bootloaders 3 weeks ago, the first time I flashed everything worked. The HD2 is very stable, the ROMs on this site can be very stable.
Read the instructions carefully, make sure you have everything you need and a few hours spare to do the work. If you do this everything will be fine.
The Radio, MAGLDR and HSPL are as easy to install as a stock ROM, once you've read the instructions available.
NOW GO BUY YOUR HD2!!!!
NOW INSTALL WP7!!!

Thank you all for the replies and your be happy to know that I brought a HD2 yesterday on eBay for £177 I can't wait to get my hands on it =-D

jackal992 said:
ok. thanks a lot!! last question: i already tried to change bootloaders and roms in previuos winmo phones, luckily always all was ok. But in the hd2 is enough simple change bootloader/radio? i know that there are always risks but i've seen a lot of threads about "bricked" and "dead"/no more usable hd2. My question then is: if you follow carefully instructions of cookers is enough improbable that you brick your phone?? is this true? sorry for my bad english!
ps: can i trust buying used hd2 that already have android or however unofficial roms? This doesn't mean that these phones are "bricked", is this correct? even better then i may not have to change radio, correct? thank you very much!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would prefer to buy a stock device rather than one that could of been subject to a lot of flashing ect.
Also try to buy the revision model identified by having yellow reset button rather than red.
These are reported to have better motherboards & screen assemblies (HTC revised model due to large amount of motherboard & screen fault warranty returns)
If buying used don't buy anything that sounds a bit iffy, HD2 is not a cheap or simple device to fix.

[Q] Planning on buying one...

Hi. So i've been thinking about buying and HTC HD2 for a while, and finally decided that i will buy one.
I'm looking on Amazon at the moment and after looking at the reviews, the only problem seems to be that they are shipping T-Mobile USA versions of the phone instead of International. Which i'm completely fine with since i live in the USA and T-Mobile USA is my carrier.
The price is $299.99. I"m wondering if this device is worth that price considering that it came out like 1-2 years ago.
Would this be a good purchase? or would it be better to just look around more on ebay or something like that.
Thanks for the help .

i love this phone. i live and breathe it (for good or bad) but paying 300 bucks just might be worth it. i mean it is great. but you are paying for a WM phone to put wm7 or android (assuming you don't want WM). seems like you could get a lot of phone for that kind of cash. now the fun factor is worth it, but i see a lot of android native phones and happy people. personally, i would look around, check out native devices and the tweaks available here and go from there. now, it isn't a bad choice for a phone, but it ain't no spring chicken.

I already have an Android device. I was gonna get the HD2 back when i upgrade in November. I don't know why i didn't lol.
I figured $300 might be worth it. I've never used a Windows Mobile device before. I know it isn't exactly an amazing operating system. But if i don't like it i could stick Android or Windows Phone 7 on it. Which is another reason I kinda want to get this because I was thinking my next device would be a Windows Phone 7 device anyway. And it's not like i'm wasting an upgrade with T-Mobile anyway so I could still upgrade to a newer device later down the road.
I might just do it. According to Amazon i can return cell phones within the first 30 days of purchase. So i could probably just get a refund if I have problems with it or something.

I bought one for 380 about 3 or 4 months ago, and I definitely thought it was worth it.
There's so much you can do with this phone. Take off wm6.5 and put android on there. And at least 6 different really good versions of android. And it's so easy to switch from one android rom to another.
And after you've found the one you really like, then you can customize the hell out of it.
I'm a student in graduate school and this phone is the primary way I study. I installed studydroid, and this is 90% of what I do to study for an exam. If I had known how helpful this phone would be in my day to day activities, I would have bought it a year early for twice as much.
It has a calender, note taking, syncing contacts with google, very decent camera, mp3 player, and you can make the phone look very pretty.
If my HD2 broke right now, I would probably buy another for 300 usd immediately.

zackdroid said:
Hi. So i've been thinking about buying and HTC HD2 for a while, and finally decided that i will buy one.
I'm looking on Amazon at the moment and after looking at the reviews, the only problem seems to be that they are shipping T-Mobile USA versions of the phone instead of International. Which i'm completely fine with since i live in the USA and T-Mobile USA is my carrier.
The price is $299.99. I"m wondering if this device is worth that price considering that it came out like 1-2 years ago.
Would this be a good purchase? or would it be better to just look around more on ebay or something like that.
Thanks for the help .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to be really Honest..once you start using Windows Mobile after using Android there is a 99% chance you wont like it. Its just lack of support thats all. I however still use WM cos it fulfills my basic needs.
1) SMS
2) Internet(Opera Mini)
3) Watching Movies
4) Making Calls
5) Battery Life (its amazing...I have 3G off and use automatic brightness and at the end of the day after nominal use my battery meter is around 70%)
So I am sure you will feel like putting Android/WP7 on it but since you already have an android phone you would go for Wp7
if thats the case
i would advice you to rather go buy the HD7 cos no matter how much of tweaking they do to the WP7 on HD2 it wont be as good as native Wp7 on HD7 ( is what I feel...battery issues...driver issues...magldr issues)
so yeah...go for a HD7..its an amazing phone...sleek and better display than HD2 (more colors) !! and i think an Android port will be soon there for the HD7 tooo !!!

Thanks everyone for the input. I just ordered it, it will be here friday .

Zackdroid,
Congratulations on your purchase! Just my 2 cents: while it's fashionable around these parts to knock the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS and for (well-meaning) people to advise you: "just take that off and install Android", let me just say that:
If we're talking about stock WinMo + stock Sense as the phone comes out of the box, then yes-- it's crappy. Considering that Microsoft is very good at building things with potential, but ultimately releasing them half-assed and half-brained, it's no wonder. But thanks to the incredibly smart, dedicated, creative, and inventive folks here on XDA, you can skin, stabilize, and mod WinMo into an entirely different beast (or install a custom ROM that does it for you). I started off like most people, whining about Windows on the HD2 and wanting to do something about it. However, unlike many others, I had to keep WinMo because I have need for several apps that have no Android equivalent (including a few that I wrote myself). So for me it started as necessity. But now, I'll say to anyone who'll listen, that a custom WinMo6.5 running the new Cookie's Home Tab Suite (with Editor, GUI, and Loco) is an entirely different experience. It's like the OS that Microsoft should have built, but didn't. In reality, it's not really even a mod but a bona fide re-write of the operating system (and it certainly blows the newer Windows Phone 7 out of the water). Truthfully, I love WinMo + CHT so much that when I'm in Android I can sometimes feel guilty that I'm not using CHT (and btw, I LOVE Android). So before you dismiss WinMo out of hand, give that some thought.
I cant say I really understand a lot of the advice here like "when you get your phone wipe Windows and install Android". This is NOT because of my previous statement defending WinMo, but rather because:
if its strictly Android you're after, there are newer (and cheaper) phones that have Android already installed, or that you can root and install your own custom flavor, but most importantly...
one of the most beautiful things about the HD2 is its unique status as a powerful, versatile, multi-OS phone. This thing is just not meant to run one OS!
NOTHING beats somebody asking me,
"Hey, what kind of phone is that?"
It's an HD2, I say.
"Oh, what is that, Android?"
Well...yes...I run Android. And a custom version of Windows Mobile. Oh, and Ubuntu as well. Yep. 'Matter of fact, if I wanted to I could run MeeGo, Win 95, and a few others I can't think of.
And then I can watch their jaw drop. I have had hardcore geeks practically foaming at the mouth in envy after I give them a quick multi-boot custom ROM demo and tally off all the relentless hacking I've done to this phone. It's awesome.
The bottom line is most of us here installed other stuff on our phone because we weren't satisfied with the stock phone, and could do something about it, because of the people and tools present here on XDA. But we already owned an HD2. I'm not sure I would go out and buy an HD2 if I was just going to turn it into a run of the mill phone like all the rest... get me?

RDionysus said:
Zackdroid,
Congratulations on your purchase! Just my 2 cents: while it's fashionable around these parts to knock the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS and for (well-meaning) people to advise you: "just take that off and install Android", let me just say that:
If we're talking about stock WinMo + stock Sense as the phone comes out of the box, then yes-- it's crappy. Considering that Microsoft is very good at building things with potential, but ultimately releasing them half-assed and half-brained, it's no wonder. But thanks to the incredibly smart, dedicated, creative, and inventive folks here on XDA, you can skin, stabilize, and mod WinMo into an entirely different beast (or install a custom ROM that does it for you). I started off like most people, whining about Windows on the HD2 and wanting to do something about it. However, unlike many others, I had to keep WinMo because I have need for several apps that have no Android equivalent (including a few that I wrote myself). So for me it started as necessity. But now, I'll say to anyone who'll listen, that a custom WinMo6.5 running the new Cookie's Home Tab Suite (with Editor, GUI, and Loco) is an entirely different experience. It's like the OS that Microsoft should have built, but didn't. In reality, it's not really even a mod but a bona fide re-write of the operating system (and it certainly blows the newer Windows Phone 7 out of the water). Truthfully, I love WinMo + CHT so much that when I'm in Android I can sometimes feel guilty that I'm not using CHT (and btw, I LOVE Android). So before you dismiss WinMo out of hand, give that some thought.
I cant say I really understand a lot of the advice here like "when you get your phone wipe Windows and install Android". This is NOT because of my previous statement defending WinMo, but rather because:
if its strictly Android you're after, there are newer (and cheaper) phones that have Android already installed, or that you can root and install your own custom flavor, but most importantly...
one of the most beautiful things about the HD2 is its unique status as a powerful, versatile, multi-OS phone. This thing is just not meant to run one OS!
NOTHING beats somebody asking me,
"Hey, what kind of phone is that?"
It's an HD2, I say.
"Oh, what is that, Android?"
Well...yes...I run Android. And a custom version of Windows Mobile. Oh, and Ubuntu as well. Yep. 'Matter of fact, if I wanted to I could run MeeGo, Win 95, and a few others I can't think of.
And then I can watch their jaw drop. I have had hardcore geeks practically foaming at the mouth in envy after I give them a quick multi-boot custom ROM demo and tally off all the relentless hacking I've done to this phone. It's awesome.
The bottom line is most of us here installed other stuff on our phone because we weren't satisfied with the stock phone, and could do something about it, because of the people and tools present here on XDA. But we already owned an HD2. I'm not sure I would go out and buy an HD2 if I was just going to turn it into a run of the mill phone like all the rest... get me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much the main reason I wanted to buy this phone is because of all of the OS's. I've heard people say that Windows Mobile is a horrible OS but honestly it doesn't look as bad as people say. I'm deffinantly not just buying this just to put Android on it considering I already have a rooted Android phone lol. I've always wanted to mess around and use Windows Mobile. And it's a device that could probably last me a while. I really can't wait until it gets here . lol.
EDIT: I also forgot to put on here that I think some of the Windows Mobile ROMs are pretty cool and nice looking.

I had my share of WM devices over the years and find HD2 simply amazing. When presented with a choice, I went for HD2 due to various OS ports available and options/customisations presented. In fact, I am in the process of parting with every other phone in my collection, bar HTC Universal, but I am keeping that one for sentimental reasons.
So yeah, i'd part with $300 if I had to replace mine. I am looking for a main board to stick into another HD2 I have, just so that I can have 1 set up and operational for daily use and another for flashing and playing around. Anyone wants to part with their broken, yet still alive HD2 - give me a PM.

As a matter of fact, I might have to shell out for a new HD2 myself. After a year and a half my phone has developed some reception/antenna problems, which if I cant figure out how to resolve it (like, by cracking open the phone and seeing if there's something "obvious" I can fix) I will have to retire the phone.
At that point, it will be tempting to grab something from the new crop of sweet Android-only phones, but I know for sure I'd be jonesin' for some multi-platform action and my HD2.
I'm starting to look now; I just hope I can find one for the right price.

RDionysus said:
As a matter of fact, I might have to shell out for a new HD2 myself. After a year and a half my phone has developed some reception/antenna problems, which if I cant figure out how to resolve it (like, by cracking open the phone and seeing if there's something "obvious" I can fix) I will have to retire the phone.
At that point, it will be tempting to grab something from the new crop of sweet Android-only phones, but I know for sure I'd be jonesin' for some multi-platform action and my HD2.
I'm starting to look now; I just hope I can find one for the right price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks :/. When I was looking around ebay i saw some for cheap prices. I figured i should play it safe by buying off of amazon though so that's what i did. I paid $299US for it.
Meanwhile, if you are looking at newer Android devices, and you're on T-Mobile USA, and don't mind keyboards, I would wait untill the myTouch 4G Slide is released. And HTC is supposed to be unlocking the bootloader on the Sensation 4G so that's another choice .

enigma1nz said:
I had my share of WM devices over the years and find HD2 simply amazing. When presented with a choice, I went for HD2 due to various OS ports available and options/customisations presented. In fact, I am in the process of parting with every other phone in my collection, bar HTC Universal, but I am keeping that one for sentimental reasons.
So yeah, i'd part with $300 if I had to replace mine. I am looking for a main board to stick into another HD2 I have, just so that I can have 1 set up and operational for daily use and another for flashing and playing around. Anyone wants to part with their broken, yet still alive HD2 - give me a PM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I went for the HD2. My other choice was gonna be the Touch Pro2 since it was cheaper and you can put Android on it. But i think the extra money will be worth it.

zackdroid said:
That sucks :/. When I was looking around ebay i saw some for cheap prices. I figured i should play it safe by buying off of amazon though so that's what i did. I paid $299US for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, there's a lot of phones on Ebay, but many are of questionable quality. You'll pay more on Amazon, but I'm assuming you got a warranty, so that's piece of mind.
Meanwhile, if you are looking at newer Android devices, and you're on T-Mobile USA, and don't mind keyboards, I would wait untill the myTouch 4G Slide is released. And HTC is supposed to be unlocking the bootloader on the Sensation 4G so that's another choice .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I hadn't given any thought to the myTouch. And obviously the Sensation is the new "it" phone, but honestly, apart from the excitement factor, it's served me well not to jump on the latest stuff, preferring to let the real early-adopters see what kinds of flaws and bugs are present and whether they can be fixed. I've avoided quite a few lemons this way (although you can't always avoid them all ) There are some grumblings RE the Sensation which I'm keeping my eye on: possible "deathgrip" flaw (which may turn out to be a red herring), wide swings in reception-quality on the TMOUS network (which the HD2 also suffered from!), so we'll see....
In the meantime, a few of my friends are taking any opportunity to rave (which can get a bit annoying) about their T-Mo G2X's, so that's a prospect if I go the non-HD2 route....

RDionysus said:
Yeah, there's a lot of phones on Ebay, but many are of questionable quality. You'll pay more on Amazon, but I'm assuming you got a warranty, so that's piece of mind.
Thanks, I hadn't given any thought to the myTouch. And obviously the Sensation is the new "it" phone, but honestly, apart from the excitement factor, it's served me well not to jump on the latest stuff, preferring to let the real early-adopters see what kinds of flaws and bugs are present and whether they can be fixed. I've avoided quite a few lemons this way (although you can't always avoid them all ) There are some grumblings RE the Sensation which I'm keeping my eye on: possible "deathgrip" flaw (which may turn out to be a red herring), wide swings in reception-quality on the TMOUS network (which the HD2 also suffered from!), so we'll see....
In the meantime, a few of my friends are taking any opportunity to rave (which can get a bit annoying) about their T-Mo G2X's, so that's a prospect if I go the non-HD2 route....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you sir, are a fountain of wisdom

Thanks DPMAce, I have my moments
But really, any wisdom comes from listening to and learning from all the folks around here who are smarter than me

RDionysus said:
Yeah, there's a lot of phones on Ebay, but many are of questionable quality. You'll pay more on Amazon, but I'm assuming you got a warranty, so that's piece of mind.
Thanks, I hadn't given any thought to the myTouch. And obviously the Sensation is the new "it" phone, but honestly, apart from the excitement factor, it's served me well not to jump on the latest stuff, preferring to let the real early-adopters see what kinds of flaws and bugs are present and whether they can be fixed. I've avoided quite a few lemons this way (although you can't always avoid them all ) There are some grumblings RE the Sensation which I'm keeping my eye on: possible "deathgrip" flaw (which may turn out to be a red herring), wide swings in reception-quality on the TMOUS network (which the HD2 also suffered from!), so we'll see....
In the meantime, a few of my friends are taking any opportunity to rave (which can get a bit annoying) about their T-Mo G2X's, so that's a prospect if I go the non-HD2 route....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. It's not always the best to jump in to new devices. I'm trying to force my self to wait to get the Galaxy S2 whenever it gets launched in the US. lol. I got really lucky getting the myTouch 4G almost right after it launched. A lot of devices were shipped with bad screens and bad emmc chips. The G2X looks nice although i've heard it has rebooting problems and stuff like that. But considering it's currently out of stock on T-Mobile's website, they're probably working on fixing it.

UPDATE
UPDATE: It came in the mail today . Everything seems to be fine. It's the T-Mobile USA version. The only odd thing was that it came in a myTouch 4G box...lol. But I got the device and that's all that really matters.

zackdroid said:
UPDATE: It came in the mail today . Everything seems to be fine. It's the T-Mobile USA version. The only odd thing was that it came in a myTouch 4G box...lol. But I got the device and that's all that really matters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol that's funny.
First thing is flash HSPL2.08 and get Android/WP7 on that bad boy!!!

orangekid said:
lol that's funny.
First thing is flash HSPL2.08 and get Android/WP7 on that bad boy!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna do some reading first. I want to try the Android on SD Card thing first. It only came with a 512MB SD Card though and my other SD card is being used for my other phone. So i'll have to go out and buy one.

zackdroid said:
I'm gonna do some reading first. I want to try the Android on SD Card thing first. It only came with a 512MB SD Card though and my other SD card is being used for my other phone. So i'll have to go out and buy one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty weak.
This is hands down the best ROM you can use on your SD card.
once you get your card just download the ROM, extract it, move it to your SD card (the Android subfolder).
then you just click CLRCD and then Haret and you're running Android!
http://www.multiupload.com/M92WB5L9V3

Insurance can't replace HD2 so offered cash value - get another HD2?

My HD2 decided to go faulty so I claimed on the insurance I have with my bank account. After some faffing around with them not repairing it twice they have offered the cash equivalent of a HTC Trophy from Amazon.co.uk as the HD2 is no longer available new. They offered a HTC Legend but I said this was too low a spec when compared to the HD2.
I could get another HD2 off eBay and their cash settlement easily covers the cost. I am wondering whether this is a good move though as Windows Mobile 6.5 development seems to have ground to a halt. I cooked my own WM 6.5 ROM(s) but have suffered with the Phone Canvas issues, VoIP & earpiece issues, Bluetooth issues plus some other issues that I never really found fixes for.
I had Androind running off the SD card on the HD2 but it was never perfect, although this could have been down to the versions I was playing around with. Development for Android seems to be continuing (and gathering pace). I also installed Windows Phone 7 at one point but quickly removed it was just too restrictive (this was a while ago however so things may have changed?).
I could go full-on Android and get a HTC Desire HD for slightly more than a HD2 and again the insurance money easily covers this. I think all the features and software I had with the HD2 I can get (equivalents of?) with the DHD. Plus the DHD has the same physical dimensions as the HD2 so it should fit the HD2 car cradle?
The key uses of my HD2 were:
A phone - calls, contacts, SMS/MMS
Email - Exchange ActiveSync - plus hotmail with Windows Live and POP3/SMTP with my personal email.
SatNav - I use TomTom Navigator
Internet access
VoIP - I use SIP to get cheap calls when outside the UK.
I think everything except TomTom I can replace with Android equivalents.
Any advice?
Andy

Really I am always very surprised when I hear about HD2 with WM 6.5. Already using Android on NAND (MIUI) for 2 years and have never thought of returning to WM.
Dont know what to suggest. If I had the same, I probably took HD2 again. However in my country HD2 is a bit more expensive than Desire HD. Around 540 USD. Don't know about Amazon. Any possibility for you to add some extra money to the claimed one and buy Desire HD?

Synoptex said:
Really I am always very surprised when I hear about HD2 with WM 6.5. Already using Android on NAND (MIUI) for 2 years and have never thought of returning to WM.
Dont know what to suggest. If I had the same, I probably took HD2 again. However in my country HD2 is a bit more expensive than Desire HD. Around 540 USD. Don't know about Amazon. Any possibility for you to add some extra money to the claimed one and buy Desire HD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks for replying. The insurance money will more than cover buying either a HD2 or a Desire HD so the cost isn't the problem. I was just after some opinions/advice on whether to get another HD2 or something else based on my usage (satnav, email etc).
Andy

Desire Hd is a really good phone but if you like changing rom or OS hd2 is better
sent from my HD2 using XDA App

replace ?
i had the screen go on my HD2 and just replaced the phone will get another screen and have 2 at some point ,I dont realy see another phone/ operating system around that is that much better than the Leo at the moment.I have ran Andriod and 7 but as nice as they are i just like my cookies home and all my apps. I would suggest getting a 2nd hand HD2 and keeping the change to maybee buy another phone in about a year as prices drop a lot (however not realy that fast on the Leo)
Regards Mark

To be honest, I don't see anything at the moment that is coming close to HD2 due to the versatility of the OS and options available. Sure, there are higher spec phones on the market, perhaps with better screens and dual core CPU, but it's not about the specs, is it? I have my T-Mobile HD2 and it gave me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds - Mango and Android running without any trouble. I was torn between WP7 and Android for some time, until Mango came along (thanks, Yuki and XBmod, among many others - you, guys, are the best) and the choice of dual booting was made. The biggest problem I am facing every day is what OS to start the day with, haha. A friend of mine has purchased Samsung Galaxy SII last weekend after giving up on Iphone and following my Android recommendations, but now he envies my HD2 running Android and WP7.5 because he likes it a lot too, HTC Hub made him cry with envy . So there he was, saying 'But it's a thousand dollar phone, why can't I have both too???'. He likes his phone very much and it is an impressive piece of electronics, but it's not HD2...
A few years ago and after many, many HTC smartphones, I got JasJar (HTC Universal) and reached a point where nothing that came on the market afterwards could lure me away. I still have it, but the only phone that could take its place in my heart is HD2.
So if you can't be bothered reading all of the above, what I am trying to say is yep, another HD2 would be something I would go for in your position. Best of luck.
---------- Post added at 03:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 PM ----------
markthomson1404 said:
i had the screen go on my HD2 and just replaced the phone will get another screen and have 2 at some point ,I dont realy see another phone/ operating system around that is that much better than the Leo at the moment.I have ran Andriod and 7 but as nice as they are i just like my cookies home and all my apps. I would suggest getting a 2nd hand HD2 and keeping the change to maybee buy another phone in about a year as prices drop a lot (however not realy that fast on the Leo)
Regards Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or... you might want to part with the broken screen one, as in sell it to me, because I am looking for a mainboard to have another Leo repaired and used for development. Just a suggestion.

.................I am looking for a mainboard to have another Leo repaired and used for development. Just a suggestion.[/QUOTE]
Would do but was planning on getting the screen fixed so as to have a spare , however if thats not viable we will see
Regards Mark

[Q] Buying a HD 2 - New or used?

Being both amazed by the sh**load of OSes the HD2 can run and in need of a smartphone, I decided to buy one. Just one thing I am not sure about - new or used? What I am most concerned about is the state of the NAND memory - knowing that it has a limited lifespan or reads and writes, I am somewhat afraid of getting one that is close to it's death. Also, what about TRIM availability? Wouldn't want to run into a unit that's slowed down to a speed of a crippled snail just to find out that there's no remedy.

New if can & price good, used is indeed risky & most have bad repairs & faults.
You can find good used but it hard these days.

good luck finding a new five year old phone now, though. I'd choose something else, from experience I know once you get into the mod scene of this phone you get to know it's not really that great nor alive at this moment.

still new available (can buy in my local phone mall) but would only buy if price cheap.
Would only buy one if really need cross platform support or need run WM6.5.
Other option is buying one with dead or cracked digitizer & fitting new digi as broken but clean HD2 can be had for around 22USD & Digitizers are 12USD.

@Spaqin - what'd be the problem with picking up a new HD2? Some new ones still sold on eBay, so...
 @Mister B - I am a bit afraid of digitizer replacements, as the last time I did it (on my previous phone - Samsung Galaxy Ace-i GT-S5830i) the result was... well, functional, but barely - registering touches when not being touched at all, or not responding at all. Also, the reason I'm picking this phone is that I don't have much money to invest, and I like the freedom of OS choice - on any other phone that I know of, I'm pretty much locked to whatever OS it has.. Just the idea of flashing whatever OS I feel like got me excited. If anyone can recommend anything similar at a similar price, I'm open to suggestions.

@Spaqin
Up to really then on what available to you in your region.
eBay new or used is iffy unless incredibly good feedback.
I been lucky with a few used ones picked up from local phone shop that took them as part exchange when doing upgrades.
Certainly odd good ones come on eBay but most are same tat going round so be careful.
I still use HD2 & WM6.5.5 & it perfectly decent device.
To be honest best way of buying a bargain is with broken digitizer, I bought one from ebay with all original accessories & box & very good condition besides dead digi plus it still had void stickers in tact, repair is cheap but certainly need experience at least one before you good at it.
Nothing else has same cross platform support.
Certainly a nice device if price & condition good. happy hunting .

Mister B said:
@Spaqin
Up to really then on what available to you in your region.
eBay new or used is iffy unless incredibly good feedback.
I been lucky with a few used ones picked up from local phone shop that took them as part exchange when doing upgrades.
Certainly odd good ones come on eBay but most are same tat going round so be careful.
I still use HD2 & WM6.5.5 & it perfectly decent device.
To be honest best way of buying a bargain is with broken digitizer, I bought one from ebay with all original accessories & box & very good condition besides dead digi plus it still had void stickers in tact, repair is cheap but certainly need experience at least one before you good at it.
Nothing else has same cross platform support.
Certainly a nice device if price & condition good. happy hunting .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No hope of buying one locally, new ones ain't available in stores anymore, and even used ones don't seem to pop up over here - the closest thing I've ever seen is a HD Mini.
I think I'll eventually buy a new one on eBay, as both sellers that have nice offers have 98,8% positive rep, but just in case - what about the NAND? Is the stuff I listed in the first post a real issue or just my imaginary concerns?
Also, bit offtopic: what could have been my mistake when changing the digitizer on the Ace?

Atoss said:
No hope of buying one locally, new ones ain't available in stores anymore, and even used ones don't seem to pop up over here - the closest thing I've ever seen is a HD Mini.
I think I'll eventually buy a new one on eBay, as both sellers that have nice offers have 98,8% positive rep, but just in case - what about the NAND? Is the stuff I listed in the first post a real issue or just my imaginary concerns?
Also, bit offtopic: what could have been my mistake when changing the digitizer on the Ace?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly don't like buying them when think well used on Android, a lot of flashing can indeed bring up nand issues. Other issue with HD2s pushed hard on android is BGA issues with cpu due to higher running temps.
Expect your digitizer was due to flex connection or rough handling, to do hd2 digitizer really well does require experience, the first one will never be best & without precise strip down & handling many things can be damaged ...

Any advices for replacement HD2?
Thanks.

You can use swappa.com to try to find one (please do not use this site for buying/selling as it is against our rules). They should go pretty cheap as how old they are.
The HD2 was my all time favorite device and I spent a lot of time on these forums in the HD2 section, flashing different builds of WM, WP, and Android daily. But the hardware is so old that it really makes no sense except for nostalgia.

orangekid said:
You can use swappa.com to try to find one (please do not use this site for buying/selling as it is against our rules). They should go pretty cheap as how old they are.
The HD2 was my all time favorite device and I spent a lot of time on these forums in the HD2 section, flashing different builds of WM, WP, and Android daily. But the hardware is so old that it really makes no sense except for nostalgia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is still android development occurring, we already have good kitkat builds, a new 3.0 kernel and people are working on lollipop ATM. I suppose it depends on the price really.
Tempted to dust off your old HD2 orangekid?

Robbie P said:
There is still android development occurring, we already have good kitkat builds, a new 3.0 kernel and people are working on lollipop ATM. I suppose it depends on the price really.
Tempted to dust off your old HD2 orangekid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am actually. Hands down best device ever.
I haven't done anything with it in a few years actually, but maybe I'll see how recent dev stuff is on it.

nice
Atoss said:
Being both amazed by the sh**load of OSes the HD2 can run and in need of a smartphone, I decided to buy one. Just one thing I am not sure about - new or used? What I am most concerned about is the state of the NAND memory - knowing that it has a limited lifespan or reads and writes, I am somewhat afraid of getting one that is close to it's death. Also, what about TRIM availability? Wouldn't want to run into a unit that's slowed down to a speed of a crippled snail just to find out that there's no remedy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you can find new that is beyond belief and really really GOOD! If refurbished, be aware of those... Good mint condition used unit may be the best bet... good luck.

Of course a new one. If it used, who knows what the previous owner did to it.