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Why I Am Passing on the HTC Rezound

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As many of you know, I have been on the search for a new smartphone to replace my iPhone 3GS. Last week, I wrote at length as to why I would be passing on Apple’s latest and greatest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, and one of those reasons was because of the quality of the Android smartphones that will be coming out in the days ahead.

From the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to the newly rumored HTC Edge, there always seems to be a phone that’s calling my name. Another Android phone on my radar is a device called the HTC Rezound which was announced last week at an event in New York.

The HTC Rezound, originally known as the HTC Vigor, is a phone that many of you, myself included, have been waiting for since April when it became clear that the HTC ThunderBolt was a smartphone demon sent to terrorize consumers.

HTC Rezound

The Rezound represents HTC’s return to the biggest stage of all, 4G LTE, and it’s a phone that the company is very excited about. I’m sure there are quite a few of you out there that are enticed by this phone as well.

Me? I am going to be taking a pass on the HTC Rezound despite what it offers: LTE,  HD display and Beats Audio.

And here’s why.

I’ve said this time and time again. I think the HTC ThunderBolt was one of, if not the worst launch in the history of smartphones. Sure, it was a cutting edge device on a new network but that doesn’t excuse all of the bugs that have plagued owners since the phone was released in the early part of 2011.

One of those bugs, a nasty one that gave owners random reboots, persisted for months until Big Red and HTC decided it was time to roll out a remedy. If I had bought the phone, believe me, I would have paid whatever ETF fees were required of me. That debacle was unacceptable and embarrassing and the way the two handled the device’s Gingerbread update was even worse.

It took them just around 7 months to finally roll out Android 2.3 to what a device that was in the upper echelon of Verizon’s lineup and the update hadn’t been out for more than a few days before it was pulled. The reason? You guessed it.

Bugs.

HTC and Verizon then proceeded to remain completely silent on when the update would roll out again preferring to speak in riddles in regards to a specific release date. Now, I will say, the update has worked like a charm which means the extra time to work on the software was worth it, but it should have been done correctly the first time.

Smartphones are expensive devices and data plans are even more expensive. We’re talking thousands of dollars here. And I think that ThunderBolt owners deserved better. It can be argued that those who bought the ThunderBolt were HTC and Verizon’s biggest fans. After all, they were the ones willing to become early adopters.

HTC RezoundBut I doubt that’s the case anymore.

I never owned the HTC ThunderBolt (I have friends and co-workers that do) and I find myself as mad as those that own it. And you know what? That anger and frustration is the driving force behind my decision to pass on what appears to be a fantastic phone.

HTC doesn’t deserve my money and most of all, it doesn’t deserve my loyalty. It has not earned my signature on a new two-year contract.

That being said, I hope that HTC figured it out this time around and the Rezound is able to restore confidence in those that were let down by their experience with the HTC ThunderBolt.

It really does looks like a great phone.

I just won’t be buying it.

34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. Kevin McDole

    11/08/2011 at 4:48 pm

    Very interesting article. Myself, I’ve been using the Droid Eris since it launched, so for me it’s time to upgrade. While all the new phones headed to Big Red are undeniably appealing, I will be sticking with HTC.

    The Rezound it is for me. I don’t feel anything compares to Sense.

  2. Anonymous

    11/08/2011 at 5:39 pm

    Wow, I think I’m in the same boat as you.   What phone…I was liking the rezound, but you make valid points, and if I knew the Edge was heading to Verizon, I might just buckle down and wait to see how the Rezound launch goes and wait for the Edge.
     

  3. Guest

    11/08/2011 at 6:05 pm

    Kind of stupid IMO. The phone isn’t really out yet and you’ve already judged it based on a past phone (Thunderbolt). Why not wait and judge the Rezound on it’s own merit, or lack there of. Look at all the good phones HTC has put out. I’m willing to wait and judge it based on its own merits, the reviews of professionals and my own opinion once I have had a chance to try it.

  4. Kavin Nguyen

    11/08/2011 at 6:13 pm

    LOL you’re seriously worry about something as lame as a random reboot? Use a different ROM. I’m sure someone who writes for a mobile tech site would know how to.

    • notbond007

      11/09/2011 at 10:31 am

      “MINOR SOFTWARE PROBLEM”  The thunderbolt is the Ford Pinto fo cell phones.  Gingerbread is causing problems that were not there before.  Call Verizon and they point the finger at HTC, and tell you to call HTC.  Call  HTC and they tell you it is a hardware issue even after you experience the same exact issues on replacement units.  HTC and Big Red can go F themselves.

      • Kavin Nguyen

        11/10/2011 at 2:35 pm

        I agree it can be frustrating. I bought the G2x when it first came out and it was plagued with the random reboot issue. I had to exchange for different one 4 times within 2 weeks until I flashed it with CM7 which fixed the problem and made the phone a lot faster. What I’m saying is Android gives you the opportunity to use third party ROMs so you don’t have to deal with the frustrations of defective factory ROMS or slow carrier update.

  5. BrianB13

    11/08/2011 at 6:56 pm

    HTC phones just do nothing for me.  I go to the store and check them out and I really don’t like the design, I don’t care for Sense and the security vulnerability they have was a real negative as well.  I’m sure its a great phone, its just not for me.  I getting a Nexus.   

  6. Derek

    11/08/2011 at 7:26 pm

    I have had HTC phones now since the Diamond about 4 years ago. I’ve had that, a Snap, a Hero, and a Desire. Also most of my friends have owned HTC devices and we have all absolutely loved them. You can’t find smartphones that have the same quality of build, and they are always right on the cutting edge of technology. I can say without a doubt that I will be getting the Rezound, and I’m almost certain it will be amazing. I surprised that someone could be so quick to judge based on the experience they had with one phone. HTC has a ton of phones on the market and I find t really unfair to judge a new phone on one mistake that the company made. What about all the mistakes that Samsung has made seeking of the Galaxy Nexus. I seem to recall a really big pile they released a while back by the name of the Delve, one of the worst phones ever. So don’t be so quick, and give it a chance to release and be used for a while cause I believe this phone could easily knock the Nexus off of its throne. 

  7. Alexander Garcia

    11/08/2011 at 8:03 pm

    htc Incredible S (2 in the US) is the most stable, reliable, and bug-free phone to date in their portfolio. It pretty much went downhill with htc from then on. :-(

  8. FoodForThought

    11/08/2011 at 8:08 pm

    Way too many other great HTC devices on the market to justify your argument. The Rezound is the top phone releasing this month. It easily trumps the RAZR and Nexus. If you don’t pick one up, it’ll be your loss Adam. I’m buying mine as soon as the doors open Monday morning.

    Good luck.

    • Sala164l

      11/09/2011 at 1:53 pm

      Complaining about a phone you never owned??????

  9. austreaker

    11/08/2011 at 9:57 pm

    What a lame excuse. I was hoping for real world example of hardware/software limitation to pass on the phone and all I get is a rant from pass experience of a different model phone which HTC makes many.

    Not good reporting IMO

    Anyway, i am waiting for my Galaxy Note….in love, Gonna sell my beloved Dell Streak 5

  10. Anonymous

    11/08/2011 at 11:22 pm

    We all have had bad experiences. Mine were with mototorola, nokia and LG, and combined to some level bad hardware, bad software, and beyond-bad support. it’s very hard to trust again once you’ve been abused, and i’m most certainly trying out all others before going back to those 3.
    Especially because, while some issues can be expected (shit happens), very bad service is a “company values” issue. I understand something technical going wrong once in a while (well, depends on how technical. unreliable connectors, I don’t, moto). I don’t understand being treated like shit when stuff you sold me doesn’t work as it should.
    I’m actually very happy with HTC, my HD2 proved a solid, serviceable, and very hackable phone. I didn’t have to try their service, which may be why I like them ^^

  11. MattH

    11/09/2011 at 12:01 am

    Really. THE worst launch in history. Something tells me you’ve only been in the smartphone-research business for a short time. Obviously you were not in this gig during Blackberry’s original Storm was launched. You want to talk about a bugged up phone. Rebooting issues, no wi-fi, lockups, and glitched accelerometers just to name a few. Please check your facts before you go spouting off your opinion. 

    • MattH

      11/09/2011 at 12:03 am

      *THE worst launch in history?

  12. Imperialx777

    11/09/2011 at 2:42 am

    Lol this article is comical for so many reasons.

  13. Adam Truelove

    11/09/2011 at 7:20 am

    This article is exactly why I’m going with a Nexus phone from now on.  As long as Nexus is an option on VZW, I will never buy anything else.  I want a quickly updated phone with direct support from Google.  And Sense is something truly awful, it’s really really bad.

    • Derek

      11/24/2011 at 9:48 pm

      Your an idiot. Sense is far better then touchwiz or whatever the shit they put on Samsung is and if your unfamilar Motoblur…. Ha! That’s a joke in its self. I have the rezound and from my experience and the previews I have seen of the Galaxy Nexus it will trump it on almost every section. Not only that as I was told by a Verizon rep along with a few of my friends the phone will feature a form of touchwiz. So have fun waiting till god knows when for the inferior nexus to release.

  14. Joe

    11/09/2011 at 5:36 pm

    I don’t understand why these phone companies can’t get it right.  First we have have Motorola.  They release the Droid 3 with only 512M RAM and no LTE, when every other high end phone has 1G RAM and LTE.  The Bionic is released 6 mo. late with a 1GHz processor when all the other phones on the horizon have a 1.2GHz or faster processor.  The new RAZR looks like a great phone but has a non-replaceable battery on technology known for short battery life; Really???  The Droid 4 will be the same as RAZR but with a keyboard.  HTC releases the Rezound with only a 1400 MAH battery after the Thunderbolt bombs for short battery life.  And then Samsung releases the Nexus with no SD card slot.  Last, we have this trend to bigger and bigger phones that barely fit in your hand, let alone your pocket.  Are the marketing departments at these companies even remotely aware of what customers want in a phone???

  15. Johnhedberg

    11/10/2011 at 3:24 am

    I have owned a Thunderbolt since it came out. It is the best smartphone I have ever owned, and I have had many since my first Palm. I have not had most of the problems a small but vocal minority have complained about. The most serious issue, battery life, was quickly solved when HTC and Verizon offered a bigger battery at a very reasonable price.

  16. Anonymous

    11/10/2011 at 3:57 pm

    I think he’s too caught up on the software. Sure, bloatware and Sense may be un-necessary and really bog down the experience, but the android ROM community is large and very supportive. I think the best strategy is to get the best hardware since once you root, you can be free of waiting for updates. Rezound + stock ICS = win for me. Sure we may have to wait until early next year to see that combo come true, but trust me, it will come. Here’s my take on the Rezound vs the Nexus prime, which I think is it’s only real competition at this point: https://www.brainlings.com/2011/11/rezound-vs-nexus-prime/

  17. Jeter786

    11/12/2011 at 1:12 pm

    I will no longer be listening to the opinions of this website and author.  I own the Thunderbolt and I owned the Droid Incredible.  I love HTC and their phones, the quality call and build wise is amazing!  Yes I had the reboot issue but they fixed it. I haven’t had any real issues since, my sister’s Fascinate is another story.  I am resisting the urge to get my hands on the Rezound which look like an amzing device.  For me its HTC all the way!

  18. Thehaunted101

    11/23/2011 at 2:42 pm

    my brother had a thunderbolt for 7 months and he never had any of those problems. the only problem it ever had was receiving 4g signal. sometimes he had to restart the phone to receive 4g. when he told them about the issue at the verizon store they sent him a new one. it certainly was better than any iphone. that being said i have a samsung galaxy s2 and it rapes everything. my brother has the rezound and its a close second

  19. Paranoia156

    11/24/2011 at 7:43 pm

    Why would you write something like this? You can’t base your judgement on one phone on a completely different one. HTC is a great smartphone company, they’ve had countless innovatons and experiments that no one else tried, and sense the easiest-to-use and best looking UI on any Android device. You can’t blame them for the one mistake they made when they made the thunderbolt. Sure it was glitchy. But why the Hell would that mean the rezound would be? You make no sense in your judgement. What about the original droid? I know dozens of people who have had that phone, and I’ve read the reviews, and everyone who has one hates it! But does that mean the razr is gonna be glitchy and crap out on everyone? No! You can’t judge a phone company by one phone that they’ve made. It doesn’t make sense.

  20. Matt Bell519

    12/04/2011 at 8:25 pm

    You just might be a true idiot. You’re going to pass on the rezound because of a phone you never owned? I had the thunderbolt and loved it. Never had a single reboot. Most of those “issues” are what we call user error. I see it every day. As for the rezound, I currently carry it and love it. BTW I hear your articles are garbage. I never read them I just have a lot of friends that say your editorials suck.

  21. Whtchawk

    01/20/2012 at 9:19 pm

    Well, that’s three minutes of my life I won’t be getting back. 

  22. Lord Kayoss

    01/24/2012 at 3:20 pm

    This article is a prime example of why you root your phone and handle the customizations yourself.  I’ve owned a Thunderbolt since June and haven’t experienced any of the issues cited here.  Love it to death.  Only looking up the Rezound because my free upgrade is drawing near and I might pass the T-Bolt to my fiancee.  Never, ever depend on Verizon/HTC to do anything.  Do your research and learn how to take charge of your phone.  You’ll thank yourself endlessly.  My Thunderbolt has been running flawlessly and tethering at speeds up to 50mbps (for free) for months.  Have never regretted owning it.

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