defy alternatives?

[tronjojo]

Hi,

I've been looking around for any possible alternatives to the defy for use in the US on Tmobile. I'm actually quite happy with my Defy (except the earpiece failed,and when i tried to replace it w/ a k850i earpiece it didn't fit right and even after trying to cut off little bits, it didn't work - i probably broke it) and am hoping to fix the earpiece soon, but was wondering if there's anything w/ similar specs. I like the compact size w/ a screen bigger than the iphone.

The defy is pretty much all i've ever wanted in a phone, so do any other android (or windows phone) makers have anything that i'd like?

My current Defy is on cm7 w/ no problems.

 

[Proverbs2]

In my opinion, the Defy is still the best option for US T-Mobile, especially with all the dev work. Although T-Mo doesn't carry them anymore, you can get good deals on ebay. I just helped my two younger brothers buy defys on ebay during the last couple of weeks: a new one for $200 and a used one in excellent condition for $150. You might also try Craigslist. Just make sure you're getting the USA T-Mobile one (with the white border); some of the ones on ebay are the all-black ones imported from other countries, and may not be compatible with the baseband frequencies used on T-Mobile's 3G networks.

 

[tronjojo]

Ye,

that's what i thought too. All other "rugged phones" are way underpowered, and there isn't a phone with the same screen size, but in a small package like the defy.

I'm just worried about another earpiece failure (assuming i can't fix mine) and i've been searching for a red lens defy on ebay, but they're not too common

 

[Fire Head]

Samsung

Maybe you could be interessted in a Samsung Galaxy Xcover S5690 phone or a Samsung Galaxy Ace. The Xcover is also an "outdoor" smartphone and has nearly the same size. The resolution is quite smaller, but the battery should last longer.

In fact I also think that the Defy is a nice smartphone and I think I would buy a new one, or maybe a Defy+

 

[tronjojo]

Ye I've looked at the samsung xcover, but as I said before, all these other phones have less processing power and smaller screens.

I guess if it comes down to it, I'll just have to keep my eyes out for red lens defy. (DEfy+ doesn't work in the US right?)

 

[Proverbs2]

Yeah, T-Mobile USA uses 1700 and 1900 MHz frequency bands for high-speed data, and I don't think there are any versions of the Defy+ that are compatible with 1700 MHz. (There is a version compatible with 1900 MHz, though.) You'd still be able to make calls and get 2G data, but unless you happen to be in a 1900 MHz coverage zone you wouldn't get high-speed data.

I've been quite happy with my green-lense defy, although I too had the earpiece failure. (Fortunately my phone was still under warranty at the time.) You could always try another green lense, and hope for the best. I think I remember reading somewhere that only the earliest green-lense models had the earpiece problem, but I might be wrong about that.

 

[tronjojo]

ye i've actually enjoyed tinkering around w/ my phone. I haven't done much of that stuff since i was in middle school and high school playing w/ irqs and installing new video cards and sound cards, nics, etc. on my dad's old pcs.

Not sure why everyone was recommending the k850i earpiece to replace to defy earpiece though. mine did not come close to fitting, and even after removing some extra plastic it was way to think for the phone, and i accidentally broke it. I'm waiting for a new defy earpiece now. hope it works. using speakerphone and wired headphones isn't too bad, but getting annoying. probably better for my radiation levels though.