Palm Pre vs. HTC Hero
(Image sources: Sprint)
We recently reviewed Sprint's HTC Hero and decided that even though it's no iPhone killer, the phone has some very good qualities. Though many commentors have accused us of being iPhone fanboys, we are actually using the HTC Hero as our main smartphone device.
After a couple days of non-stop use, our "B" rating would probably change to a "B+." For one thing, the poor playback of MP4 files has been resolved: the use of HandBrake coverter software creates smooth running video files. We also have to admit that the actual phone quality is not just excellent; it's phenomenal.
But there have been some things we miss about our Palm Pre. The biggest thing is the physical keyboard. Some have complained about the poor keyboard quality, but after a couple weeks use, it is easy to adapt to. We also miss having a color display that shows 16,000,000 colors unlike the pathetic 65,000 colors that the HTC Hero displays. The lack of color quality is very noticeable on videos and pictures.
The Palm Pre seems like it is still in Beta mode due to lack of applications and functions, but what it does function at it does very well. Besides, there have been many homebrew apps that have been released in recent months, such as an on-screen keyboard. The Palm Pre is also cooler to hold in your hands; it feels like a futuristic device out of Star Trek.
We can go back and forth about the advantages and shortcomings of both the Palm Pre and HTC Hero. However, we still can't decide which one is for us. We hope our readers can help make the final decision.
If you liked this article, please check out the following:
Palm Pre – No iPhone killer, but pretty close
HTC Hero on Sprint: No iPhone killer
Samsung Moment coming to Sprint
Comments
I wrote a blog entry on this very topic when my wife bought her HTC Hero... and in my opinion, the Palm Pre comes out the winner. Basically, I place more value on a superior OS because I know the apps will come eventually. Android's OS is rather primitive in feel, even with HTC's great Sense UI built into the Hero. You can read my full blog at:
totallypalmed.blogspot.com/2009/10/house-divided-palm-pre-vs-htc-hero.html
i love my pre. its small, responsive, and has all the features i will ever need. best part is the contact and email syncing from different places. awesome phone! phone calls are enjoyable because of the unique features.
PALM PRE DISASTER!
I've had 4 Palm Pre phones since August. The funny thing is at first I really liked the phone, but the first week the screen cracked. New one wouldn't hold a charge, next one wouldn't charge. After 2 painful months, I went and bought a HTC HERO, which is much smarter, more sophisticated interface.
I've been battling with Palm and Sprint about who's to blame for this... they blame each other. Ironic thing is that now that I have gone the HTC route, Palm Pre cannot transfer my 1,000 contacts to the HERO. Sprint claims that I should just be happy to hand input all my contacts into the HERO. I'm ready to switch to the darkside. (AT&T).
HERO GOOD. PRE BAD. Iphone, no competition.
I love my Pre!!!
Thanks for your responses. I will decide by this weekend. I agree that thr Pre has some quality control issues. I had to return mine twice - when I owned it- because the screens were invaded by dead pixels.
For all you people going out and buying the Pre: don't return it if you see a dead pixel on one of the lower edges of the screen. That simply means you received a good unit! Talk to the people who have bright dead pixels all over the middle of the screen!
I guess, I got lucky. I've drop my Pre 5 times (2 times on concrete)and not a scratch.Slippery sucker.Its in my purse were I carry all my crap.(sure the lens gets dirt on it) I'd fallen sleep on top of it. NOT A SCRATCH. Just keep it away from beer mugs.
PALM PRE DISASTER!
I've had 4 Palm Pre phones since August. The funny thing is at first I really liked the phone, but the first week the screen cracked. New one wouldn't hold a charge, next one wouldn't charge. After 2 painful months, I went and bought a HTC HERO, which is much smarter, more sophisticated interface.
I've been battling with Palm and Sprint about who's to blame for this... they blame each other. Ironic thing is that now that I have gone the HTC route, Palm Pre cannot transfer my 1,000 contacts to the HERO. Sprint claims that I should just be happy to hand input all my contacts into the HERO. I'm ready to switch to the darkside. (AT&T).
HERO GOOD. PRE BAD. Iphone, no competition.
I have had my Pre since august. coming from a Palm Treo 755p it took some time to get used to the lack of notification features you could add to your task and memos and desktop syncing (I know about third party software), but I still like the phone. I saw the Hero and had to try it out. I purchased it on Sunday and kept it for 3 days. I loved that phone but had to take it back because of the lack of a physical keyboard. I tried so hard to overlook that, but my fingers are too big and i hate typing with one finger. The predicitve text feature was awesome and the phone really could tell what you were trying to type, but I want to be able to type without having to always auto correct. So I am sticking with my Pre. It's functional, looks great, I just need for them to add some of the things to WebOS that made Palm so popular in the first place.
Brad, The Best Buy i purchase my Hero from could not transfer my contacts from my Palm Treo 755P. apparently they dont have the software to communicate with the new HTC Hero yet. But this was a very easy fix for me. Since i had all of my contacts stored on my PC (in my outlook), all i had to do was sync my hero with my outlook contacts and it transfered everyone over in a few short minutes.
The lack of physical keyboard took 2 or 3 days to get over, but switching to any phone w/o a keyboard takes time to get used to. i had a pre for 3 weeks in July and returned it. Android phones are growing rapidly and by year end every carrier will offer a phone with google os. There is going to be way more support for these phones and the App's will continue to grow, and most likely catch Iphone within 2 years. In the last 3 years Ive owned an Iphone, Palm Treo and Pre, and a Balckberry curve. The Hero is the best phone ive ever owned/used!
The Hero kills the Palm Pre. It's no contest. The Pre looks like a piece of women's jewelry. If you're a lady, then it's no big deal. But I'm a man. It's so slick you can drop it with ease. PLUS, that keyboard is absolutely horrible, and there's no on screen option. When you slide out the keyboard, it's so sharp, you could slit someone's throat with it! Don't get me started on the garbage app store that the Pre has. LESS THAN 100 APPS!!!! I'm sorry, but with over 10.000 apps available on the Hero, there's no comparison. The Hero can do so much more.
I had the Pre for about 4 days in August and took it back. Lack of texting options (could not save, forward), notifications were inaudible...no indicator if you missed a call or text either. So you couldn't hear when a text came in and the phone gives no indication unless you actually wake it up and look! I could not get my music to sync. Sprint couldn't help..said Palm would not tell them how to do it and Palm said the issues I was having were Sprint isssues! Back and forth..back and forth..you get the picture. Anyway, the camera was beautiful but decided that the things that were bothering me were going to eventually drive me crazy so I decided to return it and wait for something else. Two days before Sprint released the Hero I purchased it at Best Buy (Reward Zone customer perk + no mail in rebate). I have had it 3 wks at this point and everyday I love it more than the day before! It is a beautiful, amazing phone!! I know nothing about the iphone but the Pre is no competition.
Palm Pre blows the Hero away, much more responsive unparalleled multi-tasking (you can't do that on a Hero or Iphone) no contest here. The Pre is best of breed.
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