[Dazzler]

Just thought I'd seek some opinions on the HTC Wildfire Mobile Phone (Currently running Android 2.1).. I have a Sony Ericsson K850i which I bought outright about 2 years ago.

It has had a hard life.. after being carted around in my pocket almost 24/7 while we built our house .. Still working fine but I'm tempted to go from my A$20 p/m plan to a A$30 p/m plan and pick up one of the HTC wildfire Android phones...

I can buy one outright for A$349 but figure for $10 p/m more than I am paying now which gives me $5 more worth of calls a plan might be a better way to go.

I don't like apple software and don't really want to pay say $900 for a phone or go on a $49 p/m or higher plan so the iphone V4 is out and I have decided against the HTC Desire (which I really like) for the same reason.

I am too tight to pay extra for internet use on my phone although may use WiFi in place like McDonalds if want to check my emails while travelling (but can do that on the wildfire)

What does everyone reckon..?

[Mutley]

Personally don't like the wildfire but it has got ok reviews. I would get it over any iphone though.

http://www.cnet.com.au/htc-wildfire-339303248.htm

Go for it I reckon.

[Dazzler]

Personally don't like the wildfire but it has got ok reviews. I would get it over any iphone though.

http://www.cnet.com.au/htc-wildfire-339303248.htm

Go for it I reckon.

Thanks for your opinion Mutley..

That is about the most favourable review on the net (some others are less flattering) but I think it will be o/k for me as I think all phones are too small to surf the net for any length of time (and too expensive doing that as well)

Will be only using mine for Call & Text..(mostly)

[Mutley]

that's why I said go for it

[Lorian]

If you are calliing and texting only then there will be smaller phones with better battery life available.

You can buy the wildfire over here for £126 outright at the moment.

If you want an android smart phone check if you can get the ZTE blade, it should be available soon. Its just be lauched over here for £109 PAYG (badges as the orange sanfrancisco with android 2.1) and at that price the spec is impressive.

If you buy a touch screen phone make sure the screen is capacitive, not resistive.

[agentr31]

capacitive?

[snowcherry]

the Wildfire's known downfall is its bad screen resolution. have you actually played with one Dazz? i would strongly recommend doing so to decide if the screen res is suitable for you.

i would not go on a plan with this unit personally as you're stuck on it for 2 years, i think buying it outright is probably a better option. not sure what plan you were looking at but the only plans i've seen this on are $29 plus $10 phone payment, or $49 flat. and i think plan wise you can probably find a better phone at $30 month. particularly if you're not that interested in actually using all the smart phone elements.

if you're on Telstra then buy the locked version for $350 but you can buy it unlocked for $399 around the place as well. or even a non Telstra version for just over $400

[umbro]

i just bought a wildfire 2 weeks ago and i`m very pleased with the phone and android OS.The screen response (it's capacitive and has multi-touch like the iphone) is very good and accurate and you can find hundreds of apps on android market some very useful.And now the cons: Screen resolution its not that good for the type of screen (QVGA) but if you do not plan to watch lots of movies on it and are not used to a better screen its perfect you wont even notice the difference .Another minus is the camera, it does not take good pictures if the subject is in motion (is kinda blurry) despite the autofocus, but i read somewhere that the camera should be improved once 2.2 is out, at least that's what happened with the desire(same camera).For its price i think this phone its very good, i paid 59 euro with a plan of 16euro/month including internet access and lots of minutes.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Lorian..

As Snowcherry says the Wildfire is $349 outright through telstra (my provider) and that is the cheapest I can get it over here (makes it dear compared to UK price) the screen is capacitive by the way

Not a big fan of the chinese ZTE brand (we got a nice little ZTE flip phone for free on a previous Telstra deal but it proved to be very unreliable - 2 different faults in the first 12 months and we had to pay postage for repairs - so replaced it with one of my spares the 2nd time)

Snowcherry..I can get it with no additional phone payment on a $30 p/m plan so doing the sums as I am paying $20 per month at the moment (using my Sony phone that I bought outright) It would be only $120 per year more to go to the $30 plan and either way I get a 2 year warranty apparently. and I get and extra $5 worth of call than what I get now...

I had a little play with the wildfire but after what you said I might have another play before deciding. Thanks for your feedback guys (and gals)

[Dazzler]

i just bought a wildfire 2 weeks ago and i`m very pleased with the phone and android OS.The screen response (it's capacitive and has multi-touch like the iphone) is very good and accurate and you can find hundreds of apps on android market some very useful.And now the cons: Screen resolution its not that good for the type of screen (QVGA) but if you do not plan to watch lots of movies on it and are not used to a better screen its perfect you wont even notice the difference .Another minus is the camera, it does not take good pictures if the subject is in motion (is kinda blurry) despite the autofocus, but i read somewhere that the camera should be improved once 2.2 is out, at least that's what happened with the desire(same camera).For its price i think this phone its very good, i paid 59 euro with a plan of 16euro/month including internet access and lots of minutes.

Thanks umbro..from what you say I think I have made the right choice for me.. I won't be watching any videos on it... and the camera quality is not that important either.. I carry a Nikon S570 12MP 5x Optical zoom camera with me almost all the time in my other pocket.


Don't think android 2.2 is far away..

[Dazzler]

If you want an android smart phone check if you can get the ZTE blade, it should be available soon. Its just be lauched over here for £109 PAYG (badges as the orange sanfrancisco with android 2.1) and at that price the spec is impressive.

The ZTE blade doesn't appear to be available in Australia yet .. Telstra gives by far the best coverage in Tassie so it is easier to get a prepaid from them so I can just switch the sim or one that is on a Telstra plan..

[snowcherry]

a $30 plan flat does seem more reasonable Dazz.  and if you did seem content with the screen (as umbro mentioned) then it should be fine. i know myself i'm pretty fussy with screen res so the lower res on it is quite disappointing for me, otherwise i quite like the Wildfire. and android is cool! 

the only other thing i'd watch is the data use. the smart phone's do use a bit by default in the settings e.g synced to weather data and social networking, but you can turn these off.

[Dazzler]

the only other thing i'd watch is the data use. the smart phone's do use a bit by default in the settings e.g synced to weather data and social networking, but you can turn these off.

Thanks for the warning SC..My decision isn't set in stone but getting close.. I can upgrade on 9/10 (saturday) without penalty as it is within 2 months of my $20 plan expiring..

I could afford to go the $49 p/m plan for the HTC desire (or buy it outright for under A$800) but think that would be overkill seeing I spend about 5 hours a day on either my Laptops or Desktop (so plenty of time for surfing)

[snowcherry]

i have the Desire. i currently use about 60-80MB data per month, which is low but it sounds like you might be  a low user as well.
i think the Desire is overkill for me but i got it on a great deal through Telstra at the time.
 
i still play with it a 'little' like looking at some apps etc. i think most of my data goes in keeping the weather synced and updating the apps, and using google sometimes when i'm out and can't recall a phone number and have to look it up for e.g.

when in Brissy i used the data more though, e.g more internet, more social networking, GPS,
i don't sync my mail. don't see the point.

i don't have my phone set up on wifi either so i'd use even less data if i had that set up.

[Dazzler]

I reckon I would try to use the wifi if I wanted to do something from the net on my phone... I haven't had wifi on a phone before (like the idea of having that)  

I am a bit of a gadget freak so I would enjoy the desire I reckon (although perhaps a bit big for the pocket (compared to the wildfire)

[umbro]

you don't have to get concerned about the data used, you can get an app (i have 3g watchdog) and it monitors your data flow and can even block internet connection if it goes over what you set it for.If you are a gadget freak and can afford the desire then maybe you should treat yourself with something better .btw desire has live wallpapers witch is very eye-candy ) and a gorgeous screen.If not,then wildfire is definitely the best alternative.

[Lorian]

The nice thing with andorid is if you set it up right it will use your wifi (or public wifi) where available and only switch to 3G when no wifi is available. I tend to therefore download apps when sat at home on the wifi, but mosty just because it's quicker, as I have a sizeable data allowance.

[Dazzler]

This thread was a bit slow to get started but I got some good info in the end (thanks heaps)

I will let you know what I get and then might post a separate thread to see what apps people with android recommend. I'm leaning towards Wildfire because it is more pocket friendly in size and price... (and I think it will do the job once upgraded to 2.2)

[Lorian]

post a separate thread to see what apps people with android recommend.

Angry Birds beta, 'nuf said.

[agentr31]

post a separate thread to see what apps people with android recommend.

Angry Birds beta, 'nuf said.

2nd that... i have it on my ipod... UBER ADDICTIVE!!!

[Dazzler]

Ill check that game out.. sounds like it might be good practice for when the wife finds out I disobeyed her...

I went in and had a play with the Wildfire and Desire today after finding out one of my workmates has the Wildfire (and is pleased with it)

I decided to get them to put a wildfire away for me to collect on Saturday and then I had to make another decision - Typical  (did I want a black one or a white one?)

I chose the black one and then mentioned to the wife that I wasn't sure which colour I should have chosen...

She said "Don't you dare get the white one - or your sexuality will be put into question" (but not in those words...)

So.. you guessed it  I went back and asked them to hold the white one for me instead (I hate being told what to do !!!)

I did get a "smoke" coloured cover for when I pick it up though.. the wife is small but she is a bit scary 

[Surferdude]

^^^^^^

crrrreeeeeaaaK!

Is that the sound of a closet door opening?

[agentr31]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA     

[snowcherry]

i love the white one, i wish my Desire was white 
they're so much prettier!

[agentr31]

*rips out a tin of white paint*

ill make it white if you want

[snowcherry]

yeah that is not helpful, i already have tins of white paint...and pink. but i doubt it will adhere very well

[agentr31]

burn... you shot me right down!

[Dazzler]

I thought the white looked Gr8 but was initially worried how it would show marks but then I thought how black shows fingerprints and such.. and I have a sort of Silicon case to put around it now anyway

[snowcherry]

I thought the white looked Gr8 but was initially worried how it would show marks but then I thought how black shows fingerprints and such.. and I have a sort of Silicon case to put around it now anyway

oh get a screen protector Dazz! very important.
i have a silicon case for my phone but don't like it much, just as it makes the phone even bigger and its too big already, so took it back off. i'm not noticing getting it dirty but then it is brown and i keep it in a handbag. the screen protector though definantly a plus cos of the fingerprints on the screen all the time. stop small scratches as well.

burn... you shot me right down!

lol 

[Dazzler]

Thanks for the advice SC . I thought the case would have a screen cover built in but alas not (So I will get a screen protector as well)