Gadgetblurb

Since this review is a bit late to the game, and, as usual, I will try to keep this review opinion based, I have decided to break this out into a few different categories: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.  Not sure if I can organize my thoughts this way, but lets give it a try as we take a look at Verizon Wireless’ newest 4G LTE Android Smart phone, the Samsung Droid Charge.

The Good

As we saw with the Thunderbolt, the main draw for these 4G devices is clearly the wireless data bandwidth speeds.  I saw incredible download speeds: both apps and browsers flew and it makes using a smart phone so much more like desktop or web app.  I’m not sure there’s much more to say about the network as we have covered it before.  The Charge had a strong signal in both Minneapolis and Phoenix and I didn’t notice much of a difference in either city (I was on a trip to Phoenix whilst doing the review, so I had a chance to see the device perform in two of Verizon’s LTE cities).  The signal was generally strong in both cities and I didn’t really have any dropped calls.  I did have an issue with tethering, in that, it didn’t work until about my 4th day with the phone and an update was pushed to my device.  After the update, tethering worked as expected.

The screen is gorgeous!  It uses Samsung’s Super AMOLED, which means, it is amazingly clear.  Everything pop’s and to be honest, is the screen I prefer with the exception of the iPhone 4.  Nuff said.  The other thing that I am having a tough time with is the question: hardware or software based Android buttons.  I am not sure on this.  I guess it depends on the implementation.  I really like how HTC has the hard coded (capacitive touch) buttons on the Incredible 2.   However, with hardware based buttons, you can really operate the phone without looking for minor tasks.  The Charge buttons work and do so well enough.  What I am annoyed with is how every manufacturer seems to feel the need to switch the placement of the buttons.  Why can’t we standardize, really?

As with most newer generation smart phones, the Charge comes with a nice 8MP camera that takes really nice pictures.  It also has a FFC, but as usually is of lesser quality than the rear camera, reserved for video chats.  But the main camera is quite nice both in and out of doors.  You will not be disappointed.

The Bad

Ok, so there were some really nice features on the phone, and while the first item is on “The Bad” list, it is still an improvement from the other 4G LTE smart phone, the Thunderbolt.  Battery life, while still totally sucky, was WAYYYY better than the Thunderbolt.  One of the conclusions most people came to (myself included) on the battery life for the Thunderbolt was the 4G LTE.  Having a small battery didn’t do much for the Thunderbolt, but the Charge is a definite improvement.   I was able to last until early evening, whereas with the Thunderbolt, it was early afternoon under similar conditions.

Size was an issue for me for the first time.  While they say bigger is better, not in this case.  I found the phone a bit too big.  It was just a touch larger than I would have liked, and honestly, I never thought I would say that.  It is a bit too tall and too wide.  While it was really thin, the proportions were just not right for me.  While reviewing this phone, I came to a conclusion….I think the perfect size will end up coming out to 4″.  Part of this is the speculation that Apple will revise the iPhone 5 to 4″, from the 3.7″ in all previous iPhones.  The other part is the other phones I have reviewed that have been 4″ are really optimal for me.  4.3″ is too big, 3.7″ is too small and like the 3 little bears, 4″ is just right.

The Ugly

Ok, this is something that would make my ugly list for any Samsung Android phone and that is the Samsung customized “Touchwiz” UI.  I hate it.  I hate it so much that any Samsung I get, after a day or two of use, I have to replace the UI with LauncherPro.  Most Sense UI phones I can deal with.  I personally love the Vanilla Android and any phone that comes out with vanilla Android is aces in my book.   Ok, so that being the only real thing I HATE about the phone isn’t too bad since you can do something about it.

Wrapup

Did I like the phone, yes.  Would I recommend it?  Yes.  Is it the best phone on the market?  I don’t think so.  It is the best 4G phone for Verizon, but at the pace they are releasing these Android phones it is going to get too saturated in the marketplace and their won’t be much to distinguish the phones.

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