HTC Hero for Sprint hands-on and impressions
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Sep 17th 2009 12:01AM
posted Sep 17th 2009 12:01AM
When we first caught wind of HTC's Hero coming to Sprint, we were more than a little hopeful that the issues we experienced with the European version would be alleviated. If you'll recall, we had a bit of a love-hate affair going on with the chinny, wine-drinking iteration of the Android-powered phone due to a seeming lack of horsepower required to push HTC's totally amazing Sense UI. In the last few weeks, we've heard lots of chatter about the forthcoming Hero update and the wonders it would do for the speed of this phone... but unfortunately there's no such luck in the US, CDMA version of this device.
So, the point here is we were planning on doing a whole new review to showcase the differences between the old and new version of the Hero, but there really aren't any besides the obvious physical changes. Sprint has added some great new apps, like its visual voicemail, which works like a charm (oh by the way Coleen, you got that job -- maybe you should give them your new number too), and Sprint Navigation, though it's also muddied up the mix by including the yawn-maker NASCAR app. Of course, this phone provides a full-on 3G experience, unlike the European version (for obvious reasons), and Sprint's network seems as snappy as ever -- general web browsing was a noticeably more enjoyable experience, for instance.
Here is what we can say about the phone: the industrial design of this version versus the older model is a marked improvement, chucking that awkward chin shape for a proper bottom half, and rearranging the hard buttons so that you're not constantly getting your hands cramped up. We also have to mention the trackball, which is the most comfortable we've ever used. While the performance is still not where we think it should be, the Hero is an awesome addition to Sprint's growing line of serious contenders in the smartphone game. If that new update is all it's supposed to be (and if Sprint is expedient in bringing it to market), many of our complaints should be quelled -- and this will be the killer device we know it can be.
Update: To commenters asking for a longer review, or asking about discrepancies in our findings versus other sites -- we can only report on what we observed. In our eyes, there is nothing significantly different or improved about the Sprint version to warrant a second review. There are some very minor differences in camera quality, and obviously the network performance is better (since it's not EDGE), but a full-length review did not seem necessary (you'll note many of our contemporaries also have short-form reviews). While reports may differ (especially those stating that this phone has the updated ROM we've heard about), we're still seeing the same kind of sluggishness and slowdown we experienced with the European version. What we said in the original Hero review very much applies to the Sprint version, and we suggest you take a peek.
So, the point here is we were planning on doing a whole new review to showcase the differences between the old and new version of the Hero, but there really aren't any besides the obvious physical changes. Sprint has added some great new apps, like its visual voicemail, which works like a charm (oh by the way Coleen, you got that job -- maybe you should give them your new number too), and Sprint Navigation, though it's also muddied up the mix by including the yawn-maker NASCAR app. Of course, this phone provides a full-on 3G experience, unlike the European version (for obvious reasons), and Sprint's network seems as snappy as ever -- general web browsing was a noticeably more enjoyable experience, for instance.
Here is what we can say about the phone: the industrial design of this version versus the older model is a marked improvement, chucking that awkward chin shape for a proper bottom half, and rearranging the hard buttons so that you're not constantly getting your hands cramped up. We also have to mention the trackball, which is the most comfortable we've ever used. While the performance is still not where we think it should be, the Hero is an awesome addition to Sprint's growing line of serious contenders in the smartphone game. If that new update is all it's supposed to be (and if Sprint is expedient in bringing it to market), many of our complaints should be quelled -- and this will be the killer device we know it can be.
Update: To commenters asking for a longer review, or asking about discrepancies in our findings versus other sites -- we can only report on what we observed. In our eyes, there is nothing significantly different or improved about the Sprint version to warrant a second review. There are some very minor differences in camera quality, and obviously the network performance is better (since it's not EDGE), but a full-length review did not seem necessary (you'll note many of our contemporaries also have short-form reviews). While reports may differ (especially those stating that this phone has the updated ROM we've heard about), we're still seeing the same kind of sluggishness and slowdown we experienced with the European version. What we said in the original Hero review very much applies to the Sprint version, and we suggest you take a peek.
Awesome. Thanks for the impressions. I'm going to stick with my Pre though.
is that a 'naked' Hero or one with some sort of hardcase on? a few angles, especially the bottom shows some chrome underneath being hidden.
why the hell does this phone have "With Google" on the back, its not a "Google experience" phone cause of the Sense IU??? im lost
The different versions of android are confusing as shit. But Google has confirmed a little while back that 'with Google' is a title that can be put on any android phone that doesn't restrict what apps are added (all market place apps) and that they come preloaded with Google's suite of tools (mail, maps, talk, etc, etc).
If you're confused then I'd stick with the iPhone. Nothing to see here, move along.
Pedro has said unth the truth.
How is the call quality, speaker phone etc? Does the build quality feel solid? Any idea of cost without a contract? Are the buttons on the front panel any good?
http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-videos/sprint-htc-hero-hands-on-first-look.aspx
SO its not worth another look? engadget i thought you were better than that what a shame
Move a long, nothing to see here... eNgadgetM is taking their iPhone & going home...lol
http://gizmodo.com/5361245/sprint-hero-review-faster-stronger-uglier
We know the Sprint HTC Hero is not a iPhone killer... But it runs better then the original although the original was HOT!!!!
I would like to second the question about the "with Google" branding on the back. Didn't HTC say that Sense wasn't coming to Google Experience phones?
Since it was asked twice, I guess I'll answer it twice. I don't know what HTC has said, or if 'with Google' is different from 'Google Experience', but Google has confirmed a little while back that 'with Google' is a title that can be put on any android phone that doesn't restrict what apps are added (all market place apps) and that they come preloaded with Google's suite of tools (mail, maps, talk, etc, etc).
That still doesn't explain the difference between non-Google experience phones since you're saying they both come with same package of pre-installed Google Apps on them. Not really a big deal until you read that Google is not allowing HTC Sense to be loaded on Google Experience phones while allowing HTC Hero to ship with the same Google Experience Apps on there. Maybe it's a question more for Google, but I don't see the advantage of buying a Google Experience phone if every Android phone can put their logo and bundle "Experience" apps on them.
That still doesn't explain the difference between non-Google experience phones since you're saying they both come with same package of pre-installed Google Apps on them. Not really a big deal until you read that Google is not allowing HTC Sense to be loaded on Google Experience phones while allowing HTC Hero to ship with the same Google Experience Apps on there. Maybe it's a question more for Google, but I don't see the advantage of buying a Google Experience phone if every Android phone can put their logo and bundle "Experience" apps on them.
Here here.
Based on that description, why won't Google just allow SenseUI to become available through the market (non-rooted). I would love to have the newer, peppier Sense on my MyTouch. That would make the phone so much better. Not that I don't like it, but the plain Android experience is a little vanilla, and because they updated the code to eliminate the lag issues, I'd love to have this sans rooting the phone. I mean, my phone is an HTC phone, so it's not like I'm skinning it with something manufactured by another company...
Can we all contact Google about this or something?
I don't think HTC would take kindly to their hard UI work being used on non-HTC phones through the marketplace. And if it didn't work on any Android phone I would just rather it not be in the marketplace, it needs to be less confusing and easier to navigate and find apps, not more...
i wouldnt even read the review. engadget doesnt take anything non-iPhone seriously anyway
Thanks for all the time you spent reviewing the only phone I have cared about in years Engadget. Peace... I guess I'll be getting my tech news from Giz and others now. And to your update, if there isnt such a difference how come I have read 4 other reviews, most of which compare the differences between the two new phones. You didnt even take the time to say that the battery capacity had changed then you hide behind the fact that 'well, the other tech sites arent doing full reviews. look we were only a little lazier then them....'
I'll stick with getting the Touch Pro 2. This phone seems to laggy, and no keyboard is deffinetly a dealbreaker. As it is I'm switching from AT&T to Sprint in October to get the Touch Pro 2. If the same design of the Touch Pro 2 was on this phone, I would seriosuly consider it.
Ok, maybe it is just me but does engadget do real reviews anymore or is it just fluff. every other review I've read has basically said "its a mixed bag". Nothing is great about the hero, except android, but it really can't achieve greatness because it is hampered by the hardware. the update of rom/ram helps a bit, but not by much.
Why is engadget not mentioning this? is engadget just an a** kissing website now like techcrunch?
Android HAS NOT been done any justice by htc including the g1 (which for its time was a-ok), then the mytouch 3g and the hero. How long can you string along an (barely) adequate chipset for over a year? Samsung looks to have a killer android handset to be released.... i hate to say it but even motorola(ha I know) has the cliq adequately equipped with current hardware
im deff getting this phone oct 11 nd cancelin my verizon contract, but if the motorola shole was coming out the same day id get tht instead, but seeing as how the phone of the century which is gonna be the first phone with android 2.0 i coming out either december or january im gonna get the htc sprint hero cuz i hate waitin nd my verizon plan sucks ass
October to Dec/Jan is not very long.. why not wait?
The only reason I'm curiously interested in the Motorola Android phone coming to T-Mo is the exchange activesync integration. It's a requirement for me unfortunately.
I don't think engaget got the same phone as phonedog did so that possibly why one might have the new software and this one doesnt.
I thought maybe the difference was the software (which htc did recently update), but when you talk about 4 out of 6 reviews say the same thing... doesn't that strike you as odd?
I look at it this way, the hardware is technically a year old at this point (except the ram/rom bump). If I sign up for a two year contract I am stuck with this phone for 2 years (not really stuck but most ppl are not going to plunk 400+ for a phone... some will but most won't) so before the end of my contract I have hardware that is approaching a year old. software is going to get more bloated and more demanding of resources. So towards the end of my contract, what is my user experience going to be like? I can't go down the wm phone road again. I think I am allergic to lock ups and slow downs.
IMHO wait for the samsung android based phone which should be out soon
This is my first comment on a site I consider my favorite. I am appalled at the laziness Engadget is showing. If this was a 3GS iphone coming to sprint (Im talking same exact phone, no new hardware), Engadget would throw a virtual flash parade with white earbuds drinking Kool Aid dancing on hand drawn floats.
So does the device that you reviewed have the new ROM or not? It's not clear. Almost all other reviews claim the new ROM gets rid of the lagness.
Just check out these reviews. Very one including CNet gives it great reviews. Have fun.
http://www.droiddog.com/android-blog/2009/09/noah-gets-a-meeting-with-sprints-hero/
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/HTC-Hero.htm
http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/htc-hero-sprint/4505-6452_7-33770450.html?tag=mncol;lst
As somebody who is on Sprint and doesn't usually have a ton to get excited about, I think a review showing the same sluggishness side by side with the old hero would have made for a great review. It does seem to have no lag on these other review sites and I would be interested to see the difference with my own eyes on video rather than just take the text that it's the same. Do us a favor and show us the sluggishness and maybe it will help us determine if this is a quality control issue or just a phone we should steer clear of till an update.
Why's everyone so caught up in the Google logo? As long as it doesn't have an Apple on it...I love it!!!
The update is available to everyone now via the HTC Website.
At least download it install it and then make a review.
Do it the justice it deserves. If you feel like the Hero should be torn down back it up with some facts and findings, don't just point to your old review of a clearly different unit.
Jeu Josh - looks like you got the slow ROM version? THis from phandroid:
"I wouldn’t worry about the Engadget review.
In the comments section on that Engadget post, Joshua Topolsky says that the build on his Sprint Hero is 1.22.651.1 — firmware is 1.5. Since we know that the updated (quicker) ROM is version 2.xx.yyy.y and pretty much all other reviews say that the Sprint Hero is ’snappier’ than the Euro/GSM version we must conclude that poor Joshua got a copy with the original ROM.
HTC has made a statement (saw it somewhere earlier today) that said all Sprint Heros would be shipping with the 2.xx ROM. :-D"
Sprint HTC Hero seen on NBC Heroes last night at 15m 32-37s
I can't wait! This is a great introduction to android on my favorite network. And soon I bet iPhones should run android. lol
Seriously, this review fails. The only reason to review the Sprint version is for any software differences, the new form factor, and the speed increases. You were running with the old version of the software, that doesn't have the improvements. I hope you guys give this a proper review when it comes out, because while I really like this site, I have a hard time believing that other sites just imagined the speed increases.
Is the clock with integrated weather a part of the new system (shown in photo)? Or can I download it for my MyTouch?
I'm a little dissappointed in your review of the Hero. You have re-reviewed a device before. If you received a pre-production or an earlier version and there are updates to the phone at or after launch, it deserves a fair review. We depend on you for an objective review. The writing of this review lacks Engadget's journalistic swagger that we are use too.
The Sprint Hero is faster and not as laggy as the European addtion. It seems to multi-task a lot better without the sluggishness of the European model. Your opinion about Nascar is irrelevant to the fact that it is included with Sprint's NFL mobile and Sprint Navigation. The address book has messaging and Facebook intergration allowing the user to access elements of their friends profile. The address book has GPS intergration, allowing the user to choose either Google Maps or Sprint Navigation.
Come on guys. There is a lot to discuss here. Review the devices and stop giving people shout outs during your reviews. We depend on you...