Universal vs Athena

[nuclear]

We all know that Athena is the successor of the Universal. But why is htcphonestore.com listing Universal still for $1100 and Athena for $1500? Why is there such a low price difference? Isn't there a major progress from Universal->Athena? Should the price of Universal now be $600 and Athena $1500?
What do you all think? Is the Universal almost as good as Athena? Maybe something else? Please give technical comments only!

[wu5262]

We all know that Athena is the successor of the Universal. But why is htcphonestore.com listing Universal still for $1100 and Athena for $1500? Why is there such a low price difference? Isn't there a major progress from Universal->Athena? Should the price of Universal now be $600 and Athena $1500?
What do you all think? Is the Universal almost as good as Athena? Maybe something else? Please give technical comments only!

actually, Athena is not successor of Universal, the successor of Universal is call Omni, it will be out in Q3. Got this confirm from HTC a while ago now

[cornelius]

actually, Athena is not successor of Universal, the successor of Universal is call Omni, it will be out in Q3. Got this confirm from HTC a while ago now

Hai wu, excuse me for bit of out topic, but you said if Omni is the successor of Universal. SO is that device is exis?

If yes is there any confirmations about the specifications, is the screen real 800x600? If the Omni out you still hold your Athena or you'll change it?

Sorry for many question, but i like to buy a new device (Since I sold my Alpine, and being cheated coz I bought a refurbish of Universal) my budget is only about US $1200 for one device, so if I buy Athena I won't able to upgrade to omni again.

Any sugestion? I miss vibrate, keyboard backlit, earphone piece from athena, but overall how do you think?

Thank you in advanced...

[wu5262]

Hai wu, excuse me for bit of out topic, but you said if Omni is the successor of Universal. SO is that device is exis?

If yes is there any confirmations about the specifications, is the screen real 800x600? If the Omni out you still hold your Athena or you'll change it?

Sorry for many question, but i like to buy a new device (Since I sold my Alpine, and being cheated coz I bought a refurbish of Universal) my budget is only about US $1200 for one device, so if I buy Athena I won't able to upgrade to omni again.

Any sugestion? I miss vibrate, keyboard backlit, earphone piece from athena, but overall how do you think?

Thank you in advanced...

there are a few thing i am sure of, first, OMNI does exist, it will be out in Q3, and yes screen is 800x600. i can not get other spec to be confirm so i would say it's a bit early to compare Athena and Omini right now. Anyway, i think it's likely i won't go to Omni because of the big screen of Athena, this will depend on people, but i feel like Athena is really suitable for me

[cornelius]

there are a few thing i am sure of, first, OMNI does exist, it will be out in Q3, and yes screen is 800x600. i can not get other spec to be confirm so i would say it's a bit early to compare Athena and Omini right now. Anyway, i think it's likely i won't go to Omni because of the big screen of Athena, this will depend on people, but i feel like Athena is really suitable for me

Hmmm. Thanks... now I'm really confused.... Huffff wich one i would buy? Any sugestion?
What the reason so you feel if Athena suite to you?
Buy Athena / wait for omni/ buy Athena / wait for omni...

Still can't decided...

[wu5262]

Hmmm. Thanks... now I'm really confused.... Huffff wich one i would buy? Any sugestion?
What the reason so you feel if Athena suite to you?
Buy Athena / wait for omni/ buy Athena / wait for omni...

Still can't decided...

if you want the big screen, then go for Athena. That's all i can say at this moment, because the spec of Omni is not confirm. One thing you can be sure of is it doesn't have 5 inch screen.

[cornelius]

if you want the big screen, then go for Athena. That's all i can say at this moment, because the spec of Omni is not confirm. One thing you can be sure of is it doesn't have 5 inch screen.

Ok... Thanks I'll figure it out..

[nuclear]

Athena is a sole device and is not a successor then.... So Omni is going to be way better than Universal. I guess I will now cancel my pre-order of Athena and look out for HTC Omni. I already knew that HTC Omni and HTC Kaiser and HTC Atermis and all these other devices are there. And O2 XDA Flame. O2 XDA Atom Exec versions. Well all these devices are coming. I suggest you wait. I will go for the HTC Omni if it has better spec's. I am going to cancel my pre-order on HTC Advantage. Why is HTC Athena also called HTC Advantage? That sounds really dumb to me! I am cancelling my Pre-order on HTC Advantage right away.

Please let me know when HTC Omni is expected. I dont have my Universal anymore but I found it as a lovely device that met most of my requirements. Now I want something that meets them all and I have a feeling that Omni is just it! ^^.. well if the specs of HTC Advantage > HTC Omni then I will not cancel my pre-order.

[wu5262]

Athena is a sole device and is not a successor then.... So Omni is going to be way better than Universal. I guess I will now cancel my pre-order of Athena and look out for HTC Omni. I already knew that HTC Omni and HTC Kaiser and HTC Atermis and all these other devices are there. And O2 XDA Flame. O2 XDA Atom Exec versions. Well all these devices are coming. I suggest you wait. I will go for the HTC Omni if it has better spec's. I am going to cancel my pre-order on HTC Advantage. Why is HTC Athena also called HTC Advantage? That sounds really dumb to me! I am cancelling my Pre-order on HTC Advantage right away.

Please let me know when HTC Omni is expected. I dont have my Universal anymore but I found it as a lovely device that met most of my requirements. Now I want something that meets them all and I have a feeling that Omni is just it! ^^.. well if the specs of HTC Advantage > HTC Omni then I will not cancel my pre-order.

firstly, Omni is not going to be out until Q3, so that is at least 5 months waiting. Second, spec of Omni is not confirm yet, all i know for sure is it doesn't have a 5 inch screen. It all depends on what you are looking for. I enjoy my Athena and will not change to Omni because of the smaller screen.
So think carefully what you are really going to use the device for, then decide.

BTW, Athena is the code name of this device, this is a tradition of HTC, they always name their device with a code name when in development. e.g. HTC UNIVERSAL

Advantage is the actually name of the device when it hits market, just like the DOPOD U1000 and T-mobile Ameo.

[cornelius]

It'a about you, and what you want from device.
I think wu right, bigger screen on athena...
1. No vibrate: use bluetooth vibrate headset
2. No keyboard backlit, i think i wouln't use at total dark room

[ng]

I think the prices of both devices don't reflect their value in relation to each other, but in relation to the rest of the market. Both these devices are (still) the top-end of the market and the prices reflect that. The specs of a universal are still worth the kind of money asked, especially if you compare it to a low-end ppc. As to the price of the Athena, if HTC asks any more it will be too expensive for people to buy. The device would then be more expensive than a dedicated UMPC with windows xp.

[mackaby007]

I think the prices of both devices don't reflect their value in relation to each other, but in relation to the rest of the market. Both these devices are (still) the top-end of the market and the prices reflect that. The specs of a universal are still worth the kind of money asked, especially if you compare it to a low-end ppc. As to the price of the Athena, if HTC asks any more it will be too expensive for people to buy. The device would then be more expensive than a dedicated UMPC with windows xp.


It's not until you own an Athena do you get to appreciate the reason for its seemingly steep price.

The Universal screen, sharp as it is, is seriously lacking now that I have experienced the Athena.

Universal is underpowered comapred to Athena (not noticeable in normal useage - but try something like opening several web pages simultaneously while playing music in the background and answering phone calls!). The Athena can do this no problem...it's a beast of a powerhouse.:)

The build quality on the Athena is the best I have seen on any Wm device...Period. Solid.

Best screen.

Athena can be used for serious work and serious entertainment. Movies are a joy to watch on this thing. No game yet developed seems worthy enough for this screen.

USB host works beautifully with external USB HDD and full USB keyboard and scrolling functionality of a full USB Mouse.

TV-Out is first rate and so is it's implementation.

Try using Remote Desktop on a 2.8" or 3.5" screen...just not worth the trouble. Now try it on the Athena...Wu and some others can report the UMPC like experience of using Vista or XP Pro via the 5" Athena screen.:)

Did I mention that the Athena looks great on a 42" LCD or Plasma screen?


No denying it, the Universal was and still is a great device and was ahead of its time 18 months + ago.....but it is no match by any means for the HSDPA enabled heavyweight that the Athena is.

Do I love the Athena? Hell yeah...as far as materialistic gadgets go...this one is the nuts.

[TigerTim36]

Beautifully put and I fully agree :D