HTC Hero CDMA Cell Phone
Overview
What's good: same beautiful display found on G1 and myTouch; optimized version of HTC's Sense improves performance over earlier version; possibly the best virtual keyboard design currently available (though it will require more powerful hardware to surpass iPhone keyboard performance); 5 MP cam with elegant custom interface; 3.5mm audio jack (!!!); brilliant use of the Android notification system; ability to save homescreen profiles as Scenes; killer widgets; comes bundled with cool apps from Sprint like SprintTV and Visual Voicemail; Flash Lite support.
What's bad: RAM/processor duo are a bit tired in tomorrow's market, though not as bad as many claim; keyboard performance seems to break down long before other apps show signs of distress, and the keyboard should be prioritized; ability to multi-task and load the homescreens with all sorts of customizations can bring Hero to its knees, and the possibilities are incredibly tempting; music player behavior is a bit unpredictable under heavy use; browser functions best when extra options are disabled.
Introduction
This is the first Sense device to hit the States, and it is most certainly a sensation. However, with Blur around the corner and Canvas not far behind, the novelty of a customized version of Android has worn off. Without the ground-breaking hype surrounding the GSM Hero, the weaknesses are more apparent than ever. This is, essentially, the same device I reviewed at the end of July, but because it's basically Sense prototype: the sequel, it doesn't carry the same flash or weight in my mind. So I'm a bit more critical of this one. Take that as you will. I was willing to forgo the luxury of 4 widgets with 6 apps running in the background in order to get the very best from the GSM Hero. Some called bias, others called foul. This time around, I've taken a more realistic approach. People want to compare Hero to the iPhone, only under drastically asymmetrical conditions; they expect the Hero to run 4 widgets and 6 programs in the background. So this was my standard for testing. (cont.)
Design & Features
The updated Hero looks has a more modern, discrete sensibility than the European Hero with its big chin and sharp lines. Four of the front panel buttons are hidden beneath a metal shield, which gives around each button so it can be pressed down; they are not touch-sensitive as many had hoped. All six of the face buttons light up, as does the large, somewhat loose, trackball. At the top of the face, on either side of the speaker, you'll find dual LEDs - each capable of several colors and assigned to various notifications.
One the left side of the phone is a volume rocker, and that's it for external controls. The top features a 3.5mm audio jack and the bottom, a miniUSB port. Speaker screening surrounds the 5.0 MP camera's lense hole on the back cover, which must be removed to swap out the microSD card, though the battery can stay in.
The 3.2" 320 x 480 TFT capacitive touchscreen is the same under the surface as seen in every other HTC Android so far, save the forthcoming Tattoo. It is sensitive and responsive, though not quite at the level (or size) of the iPhone's. What differentiates this screen is the oleophobic coating, which makes it fingerprint resistant and very easy to clean. Those coming from another touch screen will need to adapt to the surface, which is just a bit sticky for clean hands. Once a bit of those natural oils get on it the screen is smooth and a pleasure to touch.
Sense is Sense. If you haven't seen it in action, do yourself a favor and watch some videos on YouTube. HTC's customized version of Android provides fantastic widgets, social network implementation that is quite functional, and the ability to save Scenes; a profile bundle of preferences and settings. HTC has a customized Twitter app called Peep, a built-in Facebook client, and a revamped mail program. All are designed to fit in with the Sense navigation and theming, and all are friendly to the eye. The weather app is particularly attractive.
The camera interface and browser also underwent an HTC makeover, and while this camera wins over the Android default by leaps and bounds, the browser seems to have suffered; despite (possibly because of) the unanimously cheered implementation of Flash Lite. (cont.)
Usability & Performance
For those who like widgets and multi-tasking, Hero's browser is downright sluggish at times. Using it with the out-of-the box settings configuration was frustrating. It was better after a factory reset of this demo unit, but still a bit rough. Then I turned off Flash, javascript, and all other plugins. I changed the homepage. I was left with a lean, mean, real website surfin' machine. Even the keyboard performed fairly well under these circumstances. But I said I would approach this review with the expectations of the average consumer, and to be fair, they expect what they see in the hype. That said, the browser will turn off many, many users. Sprint has all plugs enabled and their PowerDeck set as the default homepage. It checks login information, grabs your location... by the time that page loads, you'll be wondering if the phone is frozen.
The differences between CDMA Hero and GSM Hero, in terms of the internal workings, are practically nil for the average user. Of course this phone works on Sprint's CDMA network, and the battery has been beefed up, but in terms of performance, the Stateside Hero is the same as its European counterpart. HTC has worked hard to deliver the promise of Sense in as robust a fashion as possible without sacrificing too much bling. The end result is that the lovely and intricate animations that defined Sense to hoards of gadget hounds are gone. The flip clock no longer flips; its weather icons are static. The homescreen can now be swiped from panel to panel without lag, even when you are running a bunch of apps. But performance issues pop up at other unfortunate times.
The top complaint I'm hearing from users (after the browser) is a laggy keyboard. HTC has found a way to keep most apps alive and functioning during times of stress, but that keyboard, where instant response is of chief importance, has a problem. I run light so it only bothers me while browsing, but for the average user running Hero for all it's worth, the keyboard just isn't fast enough.
As for calls, texting, emails, calendar use, bluetooth, etc., I have no complaints specific to those activities. The phonje performed well. The music player suffered from lack of power, but that has been covered. I wish the phone could play DRM'ed iTunes files, but what ca you do? Someone else is to blame for that.
Conclusion
I, along with most of you, am anxiously awaiting a Sense device with a 1 GHz+ processor and huge memory banks. When one does come out, people will wonder why I rated the Hero so high. But this is what we have right now. It the current market, I think Hero performance is acceptable, if only when weighed against the incredible advances Sense offers. If there were a Snapdragon Sense phone on the market today, I'd say sell your Hero (though it just might become the new hacker's toy, in place of the T-Mobile G1). Should you buy it? I can't tell you that. I could say that you shouldn't buy a computer for five more years because they'll be so much faster then. It's the perpetual geek dilemma of obsolescence and cost vs. worth. How soon do you neeed Sense? Read full review » Noah got a new Hero after his first one arrived broken. Check out the second and final part of his full review. Hint: Best Android phone to date. Video: Sprint Hero (HTC) - Full Review, Part 1 It's the HTC Hero from Sprint! It got mangled in transit! Boo! Noah gets an early hands-on first look at the upcoming HTC Hero for Sprint. The Sprint version adds a few features and changes the exterior design, but is still an Android phone with HTC's Sense UI. David Owens of Sprint introduces Sprint's distinctive Hero with some video footage. "Really open, new operating system."
It seems that $99 is one of the two magic price points of the holiday season (with $199 being the other one). The AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8520 ("coming soon"), HTC Droid Eris, and Apple iPhone fall into the $99 category, along with the Sprint's HTC Hero. Though the price remains at $179.99 on the carrier's website (after mail-in rebate), rumors are pointing to a price drop to $99 at Best Buy locations. Sure, you have to sign... Congratulations to S. Espinosa of TX who won a brand new HTC Hero @ 12:21 PM on Monday November 16th. " Im happy I won I really needed a new phone since my little brother now owns mine so thank you Phonedog.com." Congratulations to Y. Ramirez of TX who won a brand new HTC Hero @ 5:48PM on Wednesday November 11th, 2009. "I'm so lucky that I won. My old phone was broken and I really needed a new one, so thank you so much Phonedog.com." Verizon jumped into the Android game with both feet last Friday, selling the much hyped Motorola Droid and its more-than-capable little Sis, the HTC Droid Eris in stores across the nation. With the US' number one wireless carrier now selling phones built around Google's Android OS, the platform is poised for a big uptick in mass consumer adoption. Heck, AT&T might even start carrying a Google phone before too long.
We want to take you on a...
Billed as one of the best Android devices to date, it appears that the HTC Hero may be experiencing a few text messaging issues. Reported by several on the Sprint Community forums, the troubles range from occasional text messaging problems to not being able to receive any at all. Users have reset the devices, exchanged, removed applications, and come up with various solutions, only to have the issue return after a certain period of... Overview
What's good: same beautiful display found on G1 and myTouch; optimized version of HTC's Sense improves performance over earlier version; possibly the best virtual keyboard design currently available (though it will require more powerful hardware to surpass iPhone keyboard performance); 5 MP cam with elegant custom interface; 3.5mm audio jack (!!!); brilliant use of the Android notification system; ability to save homescreen profiles as... Pros: Love Sense UI, Feels great in hand,Great looking screen, Camera quality is excellent, Impressed with just about everything,the predictive text entry is awesome, makes typing a lot easier..Internet with Flash is amazing Cons: Battery Life is shaky at best, Video playback is sub par, especially compared to Palm Pre and iPhone, Typing takes a little getting used to Summary: Great phone... In my opinion this is hands down the second best phone available right now with the iPhone being ahead slightly and I do mean slightly. The phone is very well put together, loads of features and the Android market is only going to continue to expand! Love how you can customize pretty much everything..I would definitely recommend! Pros: Excellent sharp display, impeccable phone sound quality, crisp video playback (on Sprint EVDO A). Cons: None so far Summary: This is my first exprience with HTC and android phones. I purchased the phone on Saturday (10/10/09) @ a local sprint store. The build quality is excellent and I really don't have a bad word to say about the phone. I've been with Sprint for 11 years, and have used only Sanyo phones. This is the closest phone I've seen with the functionality of a blackberry and I-Phone 3G S. I'm very impressed! All HTC Hero CDMA user reviewsIt is not multi touch but a kick butt device. I have had all three and though I miss my BB i cant possibly go back. Android OS is amazing Okay so I'm hoping that some of you can help you with a dilemma I've been having. I currently have an unlocked GSM version of an HTC (which I absolutely love!). My phone services is the myFaves with 300 minutes per month (39.99+14.99 ulimited text = about 63.69 per month(including other fees and such)). At the moment I'm looking to change to one of T-Mobiles new plans, specifically the 59.99 talk+text+internet. Now here's my dilemma: I am... The Moment is multi-touch Sense UI on the Hero probably eats up all of that extra memory, making it a non-issue. I would say Hero. I have read much better reports about Hero not to mention it runs on Android while Omnia II runs on WM. Also I have seen the Omnia II to be extremely laggy... and slow loading for example the widgets... you should go for the hero its just a better phone, it doesnt lag unless your running a crap load of stuff . i played with the moment, screen is nice and it is noticably faster but not deal breaking and i guess once you go sense you dont go back (to vanilla that is) I'm still deciding - but I have time.I'm a long-time Palm user: have been using the Treo series for several years so the Pre seems like the natural progression.OTOH, my personal "stuff" is all handled by google (voice, mail, etc) - so an Android-based phone makes better sense.I'm buying a new phone in December or January; we'll see what Sprint has to offer in a couple of months. Well I have had the moment for about a 10 days now and for the most part I like it. the key board is so much better than the pre. I wish the phone were not so bulky but I guess you can only cram so much into that size of a phone and this phone is loaded. I like the size of the hero. There does not seem to be many accessories like a case that is made for it. The worst thing about the moment is that the battery life is awful, or there may be a... I'm trying to decide which phone to get. I like the fact that the moment has a nicer screen and faster processor.
but I'm not sure if it is a better phone than the hero. Can someone explain if below is true and if one is better then the other.
I found this on the BestBuy site.
The moment supports CDMA 850, 1900
The Hero supports CDMA 800, 900,1900, 2000, 2100
What is the difference and is one needed over the other.
I also... I'm afraid youdidn't, I went for the Samsung Moment and I'm loving it!!!I've been playing with one of my co-worker's Hero for a few days and I was convinced that was the phone I wanted, but I went to a Sprint store yesterday and held the Moment and the Hero side by side and compared most features, and I liked the Moment a lot better than the Hero. The screen is brighter and the colors look more vivid, my wife immediately noticed it without me... Buying choicesWith new service  with a Sprint PCS plan from $179.99 With pre-paid service This item is not being sold with a pre-paid service service plan by any online merchant. Purchase phone only Accessories Purchase compatible accessories for this phone Ringtones & MediaShop for compatible mobile content for this phone
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4.6 
4.3 out of 5
If yes then can i know the price including the shipping cost .?