Its that new phone time again. Recommendations for Orbit/Armatis replacement?

[DannyBoy]

I've been buying HTC devices every year since the very first XDA came out. Normally its a simple affair, just ring up O2 and order the next model out but there's so many to choose from now and this year I'm just spoiled for choice.

I'm currently using an Orbit which I really love, it has just about everything I need. About the only improvements I would make is 3G, VGA, more memory, faster processor. So whats available? There seem so many to choose from these days.

I know the iphone is a pile of crap but you must admit it looks good. Don't HTC do a similar style i.e. all screen and fewer buttons?

[DannyBoy]

Anyone got any opinions?

Top of the pops at the moment is the Athena but I think it may be too big for my pocket. Is there anything with a similar spec only smaller yet?

[Olioaglio]

How about Orbit II :D ?

Has everything you want, except VGA display...

400Mhz CPU, 128MB RAM, UMTS/HSDPA, 3MP camera....

Olioaglio

[dzign-it]

Yep the Orbit 2 will be my next phone.

The iPhone is very very tempting, and regardless of what hardcore WM fans say, its a very fast, fluid interface and is generally what the public want to see from a touch phone, as proved by its massive sales figures,

Buuuuuuuut the orbit 2 has built in GPS, decent 400mhz proccessor, 3G, flush screen, 3MP auto focusing camera, with video, a second smaller camera on the front for video calls, loads of ram. Go for the Orbit 2 for the time been, get the iphone version 2 in a few years as its probly gunna take over the world lol.

[DannyBoy]

I assume we're talking about the Polaris or Touch Cruise?

Didn't realize it was also referred to as the Orbit 2. Does that mean it will be released by O2 in the UK? Any idea when? (I know the Cruise has been put back to mid Jan)

Anyway I've decided to get a second hand Athena for now (no new contract). I've always wanted VGA and TV out. If I can't get on with the size then I'll get the Orbit2 or Cruise when it arrives.

[dzign-it]

Yeah its the o2's version of the polaris is called the Orbit 2.

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/09/o2_xda_orbit_2/ for some screenshots and info. Alot of sites are saying its going to get released 1st quarter of 2008, many are saying January.

[ktulu909]

Is money is no object there is always this phone.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3153290&sku=H224-1010&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1526BY

[palmbluetooth]

Hello, I had the same dilemma, I have this phone for a whole year, I never had a phone for so long, but there is nothing really better out there to replace it with.
I thing the best thing if you don't need keyboard is the Cruise, and I guess I'll have to wait for it.
I think it's a good choice because it has all what this phone has plus 3G and flush screen.
The fact that it does not have VGA does not bother me, because VGA at this tiny screen does look better, but you can't really use it in the VGA resolution it's just too small for the eyes. All the other VGA phones just emulate a 320x240 screen, so it looks much nicer, but not more than that.
I tried a whole bunch of phones, I had the iPhone for almost a month, and it is really great, it is fast, smooth, beautiful and great at what it does, but it does not do much, if you are used to use a lot of the functions of the pocket pc you realize that the iphone almost worthless.
I also had the E-Ten x800 lately, I used it for about an hour and got rid of it, it is painfully slow, I couldn't get it to play a movie normally, it does not make sense, it has 520mhz cpu and it is still extremely slow, also I didin't like the way it looks at all. The VGA screen is good but there is no major difference, and I didin't try 3G in it.
I also have the Gigabyte Gsmart i350 right now, it's nice and small, very fast and has VGA screen, it also has GPS, I really like it but the lack of 3G is a real setback, it does not even have edge, only GPRS wich makes it really slow internet browsing.
One more important thing is the company that makes the phones, there is no such good quality as HTC, the build, the feel, and quality of calls, it beats every onther company out there.
Also this site makes me get only HTC phones, there is no such a site with so much support and options for your phone, with so many great people working and helping each other!!!!!
The bottom line is that the Cruise seems to be the best combination of all the features that are out there, VGA would make it a killer of a phone, but after playing with some VGA phones I don't think it makes such a big difference, also a lot of the apps out there don't support VGA screen, I think in a couple of months there will be a much better support for it.
I hope that my little thoughts and mini reviews will help you with your decision.

[_Alex_]

The Kaiser is great, but if I could do it again or had the bux to spare, I'd go with a Polaris.

I hardly ever use the Kaiser keyboard and the fm radio on the Polaris sounds like an interesting addition. Other than that, the feature sets (between Kaiser & Polaris) are identical.

See pdadb (http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=801&id2=733) for comparison info.