Amazon shaves more off the Samsung Droid Charge - now at $179.99

2. DROIDX0430 (Posts: 469; Member since: 24 Nov 2010)

That phone should have never been priced at $299.00 at Verizon. NEVER....The Charge is just an oversized Samsung Fascinate. The only difference is LTE, and if you are in an area with NO LTE, then it's a Fascinate. Same processor as Fascinate, .3 inches bigger than Fascinate, and LTE, but then again if you are in an area with no LTE, then opt for a Fascinate and save yourself $200.00. The HTC Thunderbolt, by far is Verizon Wireless Flagship. Had the phone since March 17, and it has truely grown on me, now that I am more used to the LTE and battery life, but you can't beat the Free 4G hotspot feature.

3. vette21man (Posts: 351; Member since: 06 Apr 2011)

Actually the Charge is a pretty decent upgrade from the Fascinate:
- Camera: 8MP vs 5MP
- Display: 4.3" vs 4.0"
- HDMI out
- Front facing camera
- Battery: 1600mAh vs 1500mAh
- LTE
- Also, I prefer the tactile buttons to the capacitive (menu, home, back, and search)

Agreed that it's not a monumental difference (should be faster processor and more RAM), but I would rather have the Charge over the Fascinate for the more future-proof features (LTE being the killer). After all you will have the phone for 2yrs. Fascinate is already 1yr old.

4. Marauder (Posts: 12; Member since: 11 May 2011)

A couple of things that sold the Charge over the Thunderbolt to me is the actual buttons at the bottom instead of the touchscreen. Also, I like the AMOLED screen on the Charge.

Simple things, but different strokes for different folks. I just don't like the $299.99 price and have been waiting for a nice little drop. So far I've received discounts for the T-Bolt from Verizon for $139.99, but still just waiting patiently for the Charge to get some drop in price.

5. DROIDX0430 (Posts: 469; Member since: 24 Nov 2010)

vette21man, don't get me wrong. If I had my choice between the two, I would pick the Charge over the Fascinate. But for $200.00 more, I don't think so. The little options that you mentioned in your comment are not worth the extra $200 on top of a two year contract. 8mp vice 5mp camera. Who takes those kinds of pics with a phone. You have to be on wifi to send a 8mp camera anyway. .3 inches bigger,--no brainer, HDMI out. Had it on my X, and never used it. Front Facing Camera---No Skype video yet..., 1600 mah vs 1500 mah battery---what is that about 10 minutes of extra usage. Your last one LTE,---that's the only major difference, and if you are in Butte, MT, then I guess you want see LTE until 2013---You can get an cln (certified like new) Fascinate for $39.00. So you can save $260 dollars---is LTE worth that much......(We haven't had it for the last 10 years---so I think we can survive with 3G.

7. vette21man (Posts: 351; Member since: 06 Apr 2011)

I like the discussion, DROIDX0430. Just being devil's advocate here, but 100mAh could be an extra 4hrs of music or 1hr of talk time. And the features you mention you don't use, someone else may (HDMI, better camera, tactile bottom buttons). The absence of future-proofing features (front camera [Skype] and LTE) may well be deal breakers for a phone they will have for the next two years (where those features will soon be ubiquitous). Also, the price is not $299, it's $199 for upgrade, $179 for new contract. Just saying it's worth looking at the added features and deciding for yourself.

Really, if Samsung Galaxy S II is coming to Verizon and if you are up for upgrade soon, I would wait for THAT (although not sure it will have LTE).

8. nedaphone (unregistered)

walmart's website has this for $179 with a $99 2-year Squaretrade warranty so I bought it there to save on the phone and insurance.

10. DROIDX0430 (Posts: 469; Member since: 24 Nov 2010)

vette21man. I concede.. I just can't fathom spending $299.00 for the phone based on the mediocre in comparison features the Charge has. The Thunderbolt is a better bargain. 828 MB of Memory on a 4G phone with 1 ghz processor/Charge. The phone will definately lock up on you if you have too many apps open. Has no memory. The TB has 8 GB of phone memory. Both are equipped with a 32gb sd card, so no complaints. Samsung will have you on 2.2 for the life of your contract. Samsung just updated the Fascinate to Froyo 2.2 only a couple of months ago. 1600 vs 1400mah battery. Samsung wins. But look at talk times. http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/compare.php?id[]=3105&id[]=3043. TB Wins
Also view the Quadrant benchmark scores for the TB versus the Charge. No Brainer and for $50.00 less, the TB wins hands down.

13. Marauder (Posts: 12; Member since: 11 May 2011)

For some (like me) the foray into a new smartphone is like moving up from the Stone Age into the Silicon Age. I have never had a smartphone (3G or 4G) so small items like memory card and apps and battery life have no bearing on me.. yet

But I love doing research and before I make a jump and purchase a smartphone I like to do my research. And honestly the basic conclusion i can make from browing this and other websites is: there will always be another, better cell phone coming out with all the bells and whistles. As soon as you buy a phone it's pretty much obsolete. Because something better will always be right around the corner.

So get a phone you can be happy with for the time being and then when it's time to upgrade, check and see what kind of new phones are out. That being said, I've been holding out for the Charge for some time (after comparing to TBolt, Revolution, Iphone and Droid X) It makes the most sense for me. Especially after I went to the Verizon Wireless Store and did some test drives on the demo models. I really liked the form and functionality of the Charge the best. All the specs and details mean nothing to me online without the ability to test drive.

Coming from a non-G phone to a 4G phone will be quite an enlightenment. And for anyone wondering i'm rocking the LG Venus :)

Cheers

15. codymws (Posts: 237; Member since: 17 Jun 2010)

Verizon needs to price it lower. I plan on getting the Droid Charge on my next upgrade, which is after July 7th. I'm worried that if I go through Amazon or some other company other than Verizon, I won't be able to keep my unlimited data plan.