tp-x1 front

Some time after I posted this, I ended up getting the HTC Touch Pro, and so far I’m satisfied with it. Great keyboard, great screen, fast response (after flashing to custom made rom though). I didn’t choose xperia because I heard horror stories about them especially the build quality issues. The cracks, paint peeling off, etc has drove me away from getting the xperia albeit its $100 cheaper than the Touch Pro.

But few weeks ago I saw interesting offer on 2 weeks old SE Xperia X1 in black colour and I ended up getting it. I still curious about this device. I wanted to prove myself whether the rumors spreading on the internet is true or not.

tp-x1 keyboard

After getting it, I was very frustated with my X1. It was so unstable, random crashes on the OS and random signal loss. The build quality is far behind my TP. The sliding mechanism seems not too solidly built, a bit wiggle/play even when the slider is in closed position.  The back battery cover easily scratched. In short, I’m not happy.

I tried to fix the stability issues by flashing latest custom rom on xda-developers.com made by itje and the radio ROM. Currently I’m on Touch-IT 5.061 and now device runs very smoothly and stable. I already had the X1 for few weeks now and the speed and stability is similar to my TP. It has nice and sleek Touch Flo 3D 2 interface from HTC Rhodium (HTC Touch Pro 2) .

If I put aside the build quality issues on Xperia, the device performs quite well. I love the extra resolution on the X1. It has slightly larger resolution (WVGA 800×480) on the X1 compared with TP (VGA 640×480). Making scrolling through emails/documents, browsing the web, and watching wide screen movies better than the TP. I think I can’t go back to any device which has lower screen res than VGA. The difference is HUGE.

So in summary:

• Screen: X1 won, WVGA on X1 vs VGA on TP
• Keyboard: TP won, 5 rows keyboard is really useful, more comfortably and I had little issue with spacebar on the hardware keyboard on X1.
• Build quality: TP won
• Software: If using stock ROM, I prefer the TP. I hate the original SE interface, I hardly use the panel at all. But thanks to the chef at xda-developers I can get Touch Flo 3D on the X1!  So its a tie!
• Hardware: Both X1 and TP has similar hardware, 528Mhz processor, same GPS, wifi, gsm radio, etc. While TP has slightly larger ram (288MB vs 256MB), but in reality I didn’t found much difference between them.
• Extra features: TP has accelometer, useful for automatic screen rotation and some games. TP also has TV out feature, but shame on them they did not include the cable to use this feature. I’m thinking to hook it up to my car screen for GPS navigation. X1 has 3.5mm jack.

Conclusion? I ended up using the X1 as my primary phone, because I kinda liked the WVGA screen although it has crappy keyboard and the backcover scratches easily.

Dopod 838Pro (TyTN) vs HTC Touch Pro (Raphael)

Another one just happens yesterday, when my colleagues just got back from home leave in Jakarta. He just got HTC Touch Pro, which basically one of my most wanted phone  currently, apart from Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X1 and Blackberry’s Bold. He asks me to configure emails, install applications on the PDA, etc which gives chances to me to explore the device.

My few comments so far, nice shape and form, looks much slimmer and sleeker than my current PDA, a Dopod 838Pro aka HTC TyTN. The VGA (640×480) screen is so beautiful! The keyboard, finally they got dedicated number buttons on top, similar to the full size keyboard layout. Although the keys are little smaller, but still comfortable to use. The performance, noticeably faster, thanks to faster processor and larger RAM. Touch Pro has built in GPS too, and I was amazed how quick it was to get a lock/fix.

TyTN vs Raphael (opened)

The big question is, should I upgrade? Since I installed Windows Mobile 6.1 on my TyTN, the interface is quite similar, from software point of view, maybe the difference only on TouchFlo 3D because TyTN does not have the 3d hardware to support it. From hardware, it improved from almost everything, QVGA vs VGA screen (love it!), 7.2 mbps vs 3.6 mbps hsdpa, 400mhz vs 528mhz cpu, 3D hardware, GPS, accelerometer, etc.

For Blackberry users, can you elaborate why I should get Bold than Touch Pro or Xperia X1? Most people has converted to Blackberry or wanted one, from who really use his/her BB to its original intended use (work), as gadget addicts/hobbyists who use it to fullest potential, to who just bought it just to really following the trends.

As for iPhone, I really don’t have any desire to get one. Sure it looks good, but lack of physical qwerty keyboard is a big minus for me. I have the iPod touch, which has same interface as the iPhone. First few days of use I was really impressed, with its multitouch, beautiful interface, cool factor, etc. But after a while I got bored,even after I jailbreak the iPod and install hundreds of useless applications on the iPod. I tried to type an emails with it, it was really a painful experience. Now I’m barely use the iPod, and only use it if I’m traveling on the plane.

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