Paging Robo: GSM Android phone

[torifile]

I need to get a GSM (works on AT&T) google phone. My options for non-sucky AT&T Android phones seem limited to an unsubsidized Nexus One. Am I missing something? The reason I need an Android phone is that I use Google Voice for my practice and it's about 10 steps too many to access GV services on my iPhone.

I'm looking for used N1s but they are either too expensive or t mo versions. Any thoughts?

[Robo]

Hmm. If I may ask, how much is "too expensive"?

[torifile]

More than $350.

[Robo]

Can you swing $339? Because IMO the new HTC Aria (http://www.amazon.com/Aria-Android-Phone-Only-Service/dp/B003T0OM9S/ref=cell_dp_woplan) is probably your best bet.

It's too new for reviews (!!!), but it's basically an HTC Legend in a plastic case, with North American 3G, for a lot less money. The 600MHz MSM7227 isn't a Snapdragon or a Hummingbird, but it's noticeably faster than 528MHz Hero-class processors.

It's midrange, but I wouldn't at all call it "sucky." It's AT&T's first decent Android phone. :) The screen is a bit small but the phone is quite small, too; it's almost like an Android HD Mini.

It's probably too new to find one used, since people can still just return it (came out on the 20th). But $339 is a good bit cheaper than I thought it would be, I mean that's only $10 more than a (sucky) CLIQ XT.

The problem with getting, say, a used Hero is that it's harder to find one with North American 3G, since you have to find a Rogers one and that's it.

[Robo]

It's almost like an Android HD Mini.

It's actually like exactly like an Android HD Mini; they share virtually the same design, down to the weird yellow trim under the battery cover. The Aria replaces the Windows-y buttons with an optical pointer, but that's it. Same processor, too. So yeah.

[torifile]

That's an unsubsidized price?

[Robo]

That's an unsubsidized price?

Yup, it should take you to the "phone only, no contract" page.

[torifile]

Yup, it should take you to the "phone only, no contract" page.
That seems like a very good option. Thanks!

[Robo]

That seems like a very good option. Thanks!

MobileBurn gave it a positive review. A few caveats to know before you buy it: No camera flash, no Amazon MP3 store, and no ability to run unsigned apps (due to AT&T). It's good for 99% of what people care about, though. (The only "real" criticism was battery life, but that's something literally every Android phone gets gripes about.)

It's what I'd get, in your shoes. You're lucky it just came out! :D

[torifile]

I don't need the camera and I don't use amazon for mp3s. I just need it to work well with google voice. And my brief stints with android 2.1 make me think that it should do fine.

About that AT&T lock thing... Surely the phone has been or will be rooted so I can put a custom ROM on it. It'll just take some time. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a used n1 for AT&T but if one doesn't turn up in the next few days (I've been looking for the better part of a month!) I'll just get this and go on my merry way.

[turtle]

I had fun playing with the Aria today at the AT&T store. It's not something I'm sure I want yet. For only $370 (Store price not Amazon's) it's not that bad to buy a toy though for when I want Android. Certainly worth considering though. :)

[torifile]

I scored a nexus one. It's a t mo version but I also found someone who's wanting to trade his att version for a t mo one. Odd. Anyway it set me back $400 but I got a case and desktop charger in the deal. Not bad considering the aria (which is a nice phone - I looked at it today) is about that much.

[onlyafterdark]

Nice deal! Welcome to the N1 club.

:)

[Robo]

I scored a nexus one. It's a t mo version but I also found someone who's wanting to trade his att version for a t mo one. Odd. Anyway it set me back $400 but I got a case and desktop charger in the deal. Not bad considering the aria (which is a nice phone - I looked at it today) is about that much.

Not bad at all. :)