T-Mobile G2 Review Discussion

[Magellan]

The T-Mobile G2 (manufactured by HTC) is a high-end Android OS phone that includes a flip-out QWERTY keyboard. It is billed as a "4G" device, and is capable of using T-Mobile's HSPA+ high-speed network.

The G2 is $200 for new T-Mobile customers or current ones who qualify for an upgrade.

Read the full content of this Article: T-Mobile G2 Review

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[LandSurveyor]

In general, it seems to be a well put-together, nicely-performing machine. I handled one in the local store and it's all that but:

"Z-Hinge" - bad. Sliders in general are not and will not be anything but delicate devices. CLAMSHELL! Clamshell, people! (pounds shoe on table)
This is the template below. Hinges are a stronger design than sliders. It's basic engineering. And don't give me that crap about separate keypads and small exterior displays either. You know darned well that the price will be $200 "with 2-year contract" regardless.

Now the keyboard. As the reviewer observes, it's good but with the (spluttered expletive) numbers on QWERTY! NO! NO! NO! You can't tell me that a screen that width can't hide another measly 0.4" worth of keyboard height.

I DO wish the hardware designers would remove the wax from their ears.

Fists clenched, stomps off in disgust, muttering profanely

[Varjak]

LS do you mean the large screen 'footprint' should have more room not for keyboard HEIGHT' but width (for an extra row)? I agree if that's what you mean.

It sounds like the 'Z-hinge' is a bit like a folding lawn chair. I'm not sure re-inventing the wheel was necessary; and I don't agree that a slider can't be made robust. Here's a clue for manufacturers: USE METAL.

I really want a bigger screen (and a 5th keyboard row); but this sounds like a tremendous smartphone though.

Somebody should buy the tooling from Motorola for the Devour and fix all the electronic gremlins it had (and add a bigger screen).

[LandSurveyor]

LS do you mean the large screen 'footprint' should have more room not for keyboard HEIGHT' but width (for an extra row)? I agree if that's what you mean.

It sounds like the 'Z-hinge' is a bit like a folding lawn chair. I'm not sure re-inventing the wheel was necessary; and I don't agree that a slider can't be made robust. Here's a clue for manufacturers: USE METAL.

I really want a bigger screen (and a 5th keyboard row); but this sounds like a tremendous smartphone though.

Somebody should buy the tooling from Motorola for the Devour and fix all the electronic gremlins it had (and add a bigger screen).

Yes, extra width for a separate row of number keys, like the Epic 4G.

I think the Devour's basic layout was the strongest I've seen, especially in the closed state, with those "wings" on either side. Too bad they didn't come out with a Devour II or some such.

A slider can be strong but it devolves on the "pins" or "sliders" that run in the tracks and they are necessarily small. It would have to be metal, as you suggest, to be formed that small. Even Glock-type plastic wouldn't have the abrasion resistance needed.
A hinge can be made pretty stout and can be reinforced with a metal rod if necessary. Another consideration is that any ribbon cables or wires that run between the halves must both bend and slide with a slider, requiring more length that a hinge design and having two sources of wear for said cables. With the hinge design, said cables need only be able to rotate no more than 180 degrees.

I must say, with all the smartphones and messaging phones offered in the slider format, it is surprising that there aren't many complaints about failures.

Maybe I'm just flat wrong.

But not about the key thing

[Antoine Wright]

In general, it seems to be a well put-together, nicely-performing machine. I handled one in the local store and it's all that but:

"Z-Hinge" - bad. Sliders in general are not and will not be anything but delicate devices. CLAMSHELL! Clamshell, people! (pounds shoe on table)
This is the template below. Hinges are a stronger design than sliders. It's basic engineering. And don't give me that crap about separate keypads and small exterior displays either. You know darned well that the price will be $200 "with 2-year contract" regardless.

Now the keyboard. As the reviewer observes, it's good but with the (spluttered expletive) numbers on QWERTY! NO! NO! NO! You can't tell me that a screen that width can't hide another measly 0.4" worth of keyboard height.

I DO wish the hardware designers would remove the wax from their ears.

Fists clenched, stomps off in disgust, muttering profanely

LS do you mean the large screen 'footprint' should have more room not for keyboard HEIGHT' but width (for an extra row)? I agree if that's what you mean.

It sounds like the 'Z-hinge' is a bit like a folding lawn chair. I'm not sure re-inventing the wheel was necessary; and I don't agree that a slider can't be made robust. Here's a clue for manufacturers: USE METAL.

I really want a bigger screen (and a 5th keyboard row); but this sounds like a tremendous smartphone though.

Somebody should buy the tooling from Motorola for the Devour and fix all the electronic gremlins it had (and add a bigger screen).

The hinge is similar to the one that has not just served me well, but has not in the least stopped working in over a year of ownership with my N97. Granted, HTC is not Nokia, as I have heard of some differences in the hinge design, but Nokia nailed it, and HTC copied a well-done design.

They changed the keyboard, personally, am not a fan.

[Varjak]

Doesn't an N97 have a true slider mechanism? The two halves don't pivot apart do they?

[Antoine Wright]

Doesn't an N97 have a true slider mechanism? The two halves don't pivot apart do they?

Here you go: http://www.tecfre.com/uploads/2009/07/image.png

[LandSurveyor]

The tilt does look convenient. This is kind of a "both and neither" solution. Can't speak as to its physical strength but there's a lot of moving parts going on there.

I suppose that, ultimately, one can't expect a device to be tough as an anvil but it's an ideal.

Can't recall anything with this form factor but I would like to see somebody build a block or candy-bar phone in landscape orientation.

[Varjak]

Okay, it's not a true slider; but it's different from the G2 as well, right?

[LandSurveyor]

Definitely different.

One wonders about the tilt. Did they think people would be using it a lot from a table top? The angle seems unnecessary for handheld use.