T-Mobile G2 hands on

By on Oct 2, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Featured October 2, 2010

T-Mobile just hooked us up with a brand new T-Mobile G2, and we of course wanted to share some first impressions and photos with you. When you pick up the phone for the first time, it feels a bit heavy, but it’s a quality feeling of heavy and not something that you’re really going to care much about. The screen looks great, and being a Super LCD, it’s a little better than a normal LCD and a little worse in some ways than a Super AMOLED display. At 3.7″ we feel it’s the perfect size for maximum usability. Let’s flip to the keyboard… interesting. The hinge mechanism is pretty cool, basically it just springs into action and reveals a pretty spacious QWERTY keyboard. It’s clicky enough, and reminds us a little of the Touch Pro2, for better or worse. The device runs a 800MHz Snapdragon CPU, and while the clock speed is slower than the 1GHz and soon-to-launch 1.2GHz chips powering Android handsets, T-Mobile tells us that the chip is the first off of the new Snapdragon chip line up and it should be able to go head to head with the higher clocked devices. From our limited time using the device, we’d agree but we will follow up on that in our expansive review. For now, hit the gallery for all the sexy photos, and make sure you drop whatever questions you may have in the comments so we can try and answer them in our review!

Click on over to our T-Mobile G2 hands on gallery!

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  • AM

    The silver dotted keys are quick keys or “short cut keys” for any application you want.

  • Drew

    The only negative so far (aside from the hinge issue and the memory mishap) is probably the tethering option taken away by T-Mobile. Why T-Mo, why??

    • LaShawnda@TeenMobile

      It’s hard to tether on EDGE or a single G so they didn’t want subscribers to get mad. Maybe if they had a reliable 3G coverage area it would be allowed.

      • Drew

        I’d say you’re about as dumb as they come talking about a network with HSPA+ performance and a handset to support it. How about you get your ass out of that log cabin… and near civilization.

  • 3 Phones Juggin

    If the Sprint version retains the original keyboard…..Then im glad to Retire my TP2….But if not…

    • B

      Sprint version?

  • Curtis

    How do the capacitive buttons compare to those on the Nexus One, i.e., do they have to be pressed on their top half to register, or does the whole button work?

    • Want2CBetter

      I can’t compare to the N1 but I can tell you that they are much more responsive/intuitive than my HD2.

  • Greg W

    I just got mine yesterday and it was given to me as a gift from my employer. I ported my line over from AT&T and the Captivate and signed up on one of those no contract EM + plans.

    First impressions: Solidly built and looks really high class in person. The screen size is perfect even though it’s slightly smaller than my Captivate was.

    Call quality is amazing. Not sure if it’s a T-Mobile thing or just a HTC thing but calls are very sharp and clear.

    I don’t have the hinge issue that some claim so I’m sure it’s just a few rogue handsets here or there that has the geek community up in arms.

    HotSpot: Big boo on this but I figure it was only a matter of time before T-Mobile put the brakes on free everything. I do hope they offer a solution for those of us who aren’t into hacking and rooting our phones. This was a great feature I loved using on the Nexus One.

    Speeds: Damn fast here. We’re not even HSPA + yet but this is the fastest phone I’ve ever used in terms of internet browsing and streaming. Since it’s capable of 14.4 Mbps DL I’m sure it will only get better as T-Mobile grows and speeds up their network.

    Screen: Just a tiny notch down from the Captivate but hardly noticeable.

    UI: Boring but better. Samsung made a great attempt at a UI on the Captivate but it was just a tad bit too heavy. I’d probably prefer a solution that was inbetween Vanilla Android and Touchwiz 3.0 or at least the option to toggle between the two. I’m totally happy with the Vanilla solution for now although Google’s media player and Gallery still could use a little TLC.

    Network: I’m pretty impressed with T-Mobile’s overall network so far here in San Francisco. I’ve read complaints from users in other areas but like I always say you can’t please everyone. If they suck in your area don’t use them but continually driveling your dissatisfaction on the internet to anyone who cares to read your whining is just a waste of bandwidth better served elsewhere. Call quality is excellent here as are the speeds. I’m sure I might lose service inside a big building once and a while but who seriously gives a fuck. All cell phones do that from time to time.

    • The Late Robert Byrd

      Greg, Do you need to write a freaking book. I guess you work for T-Mobile and if so please tell your management that the service sucks. No coverage speeds are slow and thats why your loseing coustomers like flies on chit.

      • Mike

        You’re complaining about someone who actually took the time to give a detailed and honest review? Geeze… Don’t want to read it, just skip it. No one is forcing you.

      • Greg W

        @: The Late Robert Byrd

        I don’t work for any mobile phone company. I used to work for Verizon back in 2001 but that too is really none of your business.

        This is a thread about the G2 and T-Mobile. Obviously either you can’t or you’re not so go comment in another forum where your useless drivel is appreciated.

      • AM

        Yes, he does. Thanks Greg!

      • Drew

        I can see where you had a problem with him writing so much… taking into account your spelling and punctuation prowess. You probably had trouble with “sounding out” a few of his words. Do us a really big favor and STFU!!

    • A Fanboy

      T-mobile sucks in the bay area, I had it for 4 years and had consistant dropped calls…although I must say i wince every time i compare those bills with my verizon ones

      • Marcie

        I disagree. I’ve had good luck with T-Mobile overall in the bay area.

        I can understand certain areas where signal may be weaker but overall I’d say they do a pretty damn good job considering the large populated area to cover.

        Guess it’s hard to make everyone happy.

  • Ben

    ***ALERT*** RadioShack Releases the G2 Tomorrow @ $149.99*!!! $50 less than everyone else! Count me in! *this is for new lines or free add-a-lines!

  • JM

    I want one…

    It is kind of funny…for the first time in years my sister will have a nicer phone since she has ordered this.

  • Bilbotaggins

    The sad fact about this phone is it’s on T-Mobile. Even if it’s a good carrier in your area (which is laughable) you have to deal with their atrocious customer service which is reminiscent of Sprint. Working at a mobile dealer I try to recommend everything aside from T-Mobile as the headaches involved with their shitty service is not worth having equipment even as nice as this. If this phone were unlocked and on another carrier it’d be worth it.

    My hatred for T-Mobile probably stems from them ruining countless sales and wasting my time when none of their reps have a clue of what they are doing.

    • B

      What exactly do you mean when you say it’s laughable if they are a good carrier in your area? How many more people across the internet geek sites have to come forward and comment about how bad the network is AS A WHOLE, when it’s obvious that every network is different in different areas?

    • cor-e

      I’m pretty sure Tmobile won a J.D. Power award for having the highest ranked wireless customer service award in 2009…..not sure whose customer service you’ve been dealing with cause they have always been helpful for me or at least better than the alternatives

  • John

    Where’s the “report”, boy genius?

  • Brian

    Its not a snapdragon its actually an 800 mhz scorpion processor. This thing really puches the clock! Got mine Friday and I have to say I absolutely love it. Go pick one up at your local t-mobile store!

  • w3apon

    The phone looks like it’s running stock android. Then, why it doesn’t support tethering?

    • B

      Because that’s the prerogative of the carrier, much like how Verizon throws vcast on their lineup.

    • serpentor

      Just wait for the root and custom ROM.

  • Carl

    If the keyboard reminds you of the Touch Pro 2, that’s for the better. The TP2 has one of the best keyboards ever for a slider phone.

  • sean76

    HTC makes some hot lookin phones

  • Chris

    THAT HINGE DOES NOT LOOK DURABLE!!!!!

    • Want2CBetter

      I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK BY LOOKING AT A PICTURE. Phew, yelling back lik that takes a lot out of you.

      On a serious note, I actually have the G2 and the hinge seems very durable. In the beginning, people said the G1′s mechanism was horrible too – but I cannot recall any issues with it.

      • boybawang

        that HINGE assures minimal friction of the joints when opened and closed over time..

  • Techjunkieforlife

    I fiddled with one at the T-Mobile store today. The upper portion hung when you turned it upside down like pictures I’ve seen, they told me thats normal and part of the hinge design!

    Either way it feels real good in the hand and was very fast using it. Still not going to T-Mobile thou if it was on AT&T I would jump on it. Boy thats comment will get flames!

    • http://twitter.com/bigdoug72 BigDoug72

      It will be on AT&T… as the HTC Desire Z

  • Ben

    I still think HTC should make a Slider that also has a 4.3″ screen.

    • GN

      so duplicate, or near to it, the droid family?

  • Ideal

    Another boring phone

  • So Official

    I would never get this phone. It’s just too unofficial for a corporate business type like myself.

    • GN

      blackberry lover I take it

    • Ben

      Official Douche

  • ThxQ

    Just one question: Can the disabling of tethering be bypassed with PdaNet?

  • GN

    I like the phone…but I have to say it once again, with the processor specs, and what Tmobile is stating on its performance…800mhz is basically outdated…1.2′s are around the corner already…im guessing it will be $199/2yr contract with this phone also, unless they run some holiday deal, which im sure they will…by then of course, the phone will be three months in the hole…JMHO..Never the less,.im sure this phone will fit alot of peoples needs for the the next year or two.

  • AM

    Easily the best phone I have ever held in my hands (slightly better than the iphone 4 because I personality love the heft). Build quality is amazing and stock(ish) android is FAST! Loved all 2 hrs I had it. But alas, I had to return it. The damn hinge was loosy goosy. If I held it in my finger tips at the bottom and turned my wrist 360 degrees, it would open and gimp. Although the keyboard is really nice, I think I actually prefer no keyboard. I’m waiting for t-mo to receive it and upgrade their system with my return before I can go pick up a solidly tight one at their retail store.
    Enjoy yours everybody!

  • Shabash Moil

    Got my G2 yesterday, it feels great in hand. Build quality is great and has a very rich feel to it thanks to the brushed metal look. I wish G2 came in dark-grey as well. This thing is fast.. works as fast as my laptop in terms of page rendering.
    Gmail and exchange setup is a surprisingly easy. It was ready and synced in less than 2 minutes. The screen is great and is highly responsive and accurate (My old HD2 was terrible at accuracy). At 3.7″ the screen is perfectly sized to hold in your hands or keep it in your pocket.
    The keyboard is great, but will take some time to fully get used to it.
    Regarding the Z-hinge.. I think the some users are holding it upside down and seeing the somewhat loose hinge at this position. When holding the phone upright, the hinges feel tight and snugly fit. I guess the phone is not designed for someone to try and pull the screen apart.
    One complain is the battery life which is not great. The phone will last almost a day with moderate talk (1hour) and about 2 hours of internet activity. However there is a wonderful tool that tells you what was hogging the battery (Turns out that Google earth hogged quite a bit of batter)
    This is clearly the best phone I have used and barring couple of relatively minor improvements, this is an ideal phone.
    Most importantly — The call quality is phenomenal and the G2 carries on the conversation in the elevator whereas my older phones (HD2, Blackberry, Nokias) would drop the call in there.

  • peacecorpssteve

    I’ve owned EVERY smartphone….. from the first iPhone through N1 and even tried the iPhone 4 (who in their right mind would carry an all-glass phone?)… I’ve gotta say the G2 is, BAR NONE, the fastest phone I’ve ever used and the build quality is absolutely top notch…. Keep up the good work HTC/T-Mobile!

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