HTC Droid Eris

Combining performance and functionality in one sleek package, the ultra-slim HTC DROID ERIS brings the power of the Android platform and the fast, reliable Verizon Wireless network together. Powered by the open-source Android operating system, it offers an intuitive interface with an easily customizable home screen and the ability to personalize it with a wide selection of free and paid downloadable apps via the Android Market...

Features

• Android 1.5-powered smartphone with 3.2-inch touchscreen and easy access to your Favorite contacts, YouTube and Facebook
• Access a wealth of Google mobile services including Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions, Gmail, Google Talk, Calendar and more
• GPS-enabled for location services; Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g); 5-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD expansion (8 GB card included)
• Up to 3.5 hours of talk time, up to 373 hours (15.5 days) of standby time
• What's in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, 8 GB microSD memory card, quick start guide, user manual

Reviews

My highly opinionated review for a nearly flawless phone.

by D. Fawson from Lehi, UT USA on 2009-11-25
I had been watching the Droid for a while, and so when I received an Email notifying me of it's release, I headed on over to the Verizon Store on launch day. All of the employees were wearing shirts that said, "Droid does," and there was a small, but significant crowd in the corner right beside the entrance. There I saw a stand where some redneck was eying this blocky, shiny black phone. Abandoned, on the same display set-up, there was a lonely, small, much sleeker, touch screen phone I did not recognize. Still eager to take my turn with the Droid, I decided to play with this other one to pass the time. It was not long at all before I realized that the unadvertised, un-hyped Droid Eris was vastly superior. Let me start by comparing it to the Motorola Droid (MD) (Motorola Droid A855 Phone (Verizon Wireless)). The MD Has hard edges, corners, and an unfriendly box shape. It has a thin slide-out keyboard, the keys of which have very little tactile feedback, and the rows aren't offset like a real keyboard. Also, on this slide-out panel, is a d-pad, which is almost completely unnecessary given the touch screen. The entire phone has a shiny smooth finish, making it really susceptible to scratches and fingerprints. The tech specs are a little better, with a faster cpu and a beautiful high resolution screen. Also the camera has a flash. The Droid Eris (DE) on the other hand, is quite smaller, and has rounded edges (much like the iPhone.) It uses only the on-screen keyboard, which is not the best of all input methods, but most problems are averted by its handy correction feature. Also, like the iPhone, you can turn it on its side to enlarge the keyboard, making the problem of hitting the wrong key nearly disappear. The DE has a trackball, much like the Blackberry Pearl (BlackBerry Pearl 8130 Phone, Pink (Verizon Wireless),) and while this almost never comes into play, it's much nicer and has less of a primitive feel than the MDs d-pad. You can also have it light up for notifications. The phone has a silky smooth rubber coating on the back. That combined with the rounded edges makes it much easier to hold. The tech specs aren't on the mark with the MD, but thus far, I have yet to encounter any serious problems with speed. And, while it would be nice to have the higher resolution screen, this one does the job just fine. They both run on Verizon's network, which, from what I've heard, is the best. Both use Google's Android OS, which is fantastic and wonderfully customizable. Although the MD uses a newer version, the DE is going to be supporting it soon. These are the only problems I have run into with the Eris. >The battery life isn't so great, especially if you are constantly browsing the internet and stuff, like I did the first couple of days. It's never gone out on me though, even once when I didn't charge for two days. But I recommend charging every night. >The cracks around the edge of the screen seem to attract little bits of dirt, crumbs etc. which can take away the beauty of the phone, and it's hard to get them out. >The music system isn't the best. Especially considering the battery life. Keep your iPod. These are the things I LOVE about the phone: >Accelerometers detect the orientation of the screen. >Browse the internet anytime. Also, browser supports pinch zoom. >Electrostatic (finger electricity detecting) touch screen much better than the pressure sensitive ones seen on cheap touch screen phones. >Move icons on main screen anywhere. Put exactly what you want on main and sub screens and nothing else. >High quality camera. With the highest settings, the picture is too high quality to send in a mms message. No flash, but hey. I didn't get this phone for the camera. >Hundreds of free apps in the store (that can be made freely by anybody) to keep me entertained forever. >My screen still has no scratches, despite being dropped into and pulled out of my pocket countless times since I got it release day. >Although the port looks different, a standard Mini-USB will fit it. This means it is easy to find a usable cord for it, if you lose the provided one. There's probably more, but why don't you find out for yourself? Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Great functionality and sleek interface.

by J. Hartlove from Maryland on 2009-11-11
Well here we have it. The HTC Droid Eris from Verizon Wireless. This phone was openly criticized on electronic review sites such as [...] because it's going to be released with the Motorola Droid when the Motorola Droid offers Android OS 2.0 and this HTC model only offers 1.5. After owning both the phones for about a week and switching back and forth (yes, Verizon hates me), I'm overly satisfied with the HTC Droid Eris too. The phone does everything you could ever want with a very large app store and overall beautiful interface. The only 2 negative notes on the HTC Droid Eris would be that it could have a slightly faster processor and the battery life isn't exactly the best. When it comes to the comparison between the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris, the operating system shouldn't be a major concern because HTC does plan to offer a free upgrade to Android 2.0. The major differences are the processor speed, the amount of RAM, and the battery life. All of those categories the Motorola Droid slightly edges the HTC Droid Eris. They're both very good options, but if you're looking for something simpler and you're not going to be using your phone constantly throughout the day the HTC Droid Eris is for you!

Just about 1 month of ownership. Synopsis: Going very well

by J. J. Marino from Rochester, New York on 2009-12-14
Replaced iPhone: I got this phone just as it came out. It has been a very amazing phone to say the least. I replaced my iPhone with this. Mostly because ever since AT&T bought Cingular the service has been absolutely horrible. It could be my area but I do live in a semi-large city. New friend: The Droid Eris seemed unremarkable on the surface. The screen is a bit smaller and it looked like it would not be all that impressive with regards to the apps. Within the first week I saw it had serious battery issues sprouting up. I will list some tips to circumvent these issues until we get Android 2.0 on the Eris (see below). Since owning it a while I have completely fallen in love with this phone! It is very light, the OS is super intuitive, and there are several fora out on the web where you can find help and tips for the phone. Being it is an open source operating system and the apps are able to be developed with little or no restriction, I see this phone/OS as a real contender to the iPhone. Dont get me wrong Apple is sure to come out with a new killer phone that will blow us all away, for now it is getting a bit long in the tooth and it is great that there are other options out there for we consumers to go to. I would have stayed with the iPhone if it wasn't for the horrible AT&T service. For the pro's I am going to mention things that are included with unlimited data package. When you get the unlimited data, select the cheaper one unless you need to connect to your companies email. The 2 data plans do not mention that both are unlimited but they both are, and if your just using the phone for everything but corporate email, choose the cheaper one. Then call Verizon to verify that you have the unlimited. Good thing I did right after I got the phone because the kind person on the other end changed my plan for me and saved me nearly $200 a year. Pros: >> The apps are really great. Surfing these on the phone is particularly easy. >> Google voice search is amazing. I even tried using a silly accent and it still searched google 100% correctly. >> Pandora - Its like having a personal satellite radio for your car that you pick the music for. Get Pandora free. >> Good call quality >> Small thin- form factor >> Easily customizable >> Google maps on the fly >> Standard mini-usb for power, so anything that connects to power via mini USB can be used on this phone. Example my GPS came with a car charger mini-USB so I didnt need to get another cable to charge this in my car. At home I connect it to my laptop via my mini-usb external HD cable. I have yet to plug this into the wall charger. Cons:

Eris Gives Other Droid Based Phones a Run For their Money

by B. Norton from Illinois, USA on 2009-11-25
I was in the market for a smart phone, especially after reading about the Google Android OS. I have a Verizon contract, making it relatively easy to buy either the HTC or Motorola based systems. After watching some interesting YouTube reviews and reading more about each phone, I chose the HTC Eris Pluses 1) Uses the Google contacts in my Gmail account system, making the transition instantaneous upon powering up. Whenever you change your Google contacts, your phone is automatically updated. 2) Slim size and rounded corners - I prefer a sleeker look to my cell phone. 3) Hundreds of helpful applications to choose from, including the bar code scanner - check online prices out while you shop in the mall. 4) WiFi and 3G switchable - it easily goes between my home, my office and my favorite hot spots with ease. 5) No pesky flip keyboard - This may be a plus or a minus. For me, I like the way the phone seems to know exactly what key the middle of my finger pushes. When I tried to use one of my old Palm styluses, they didn't work. After about 10 minutes, I was texting with no problems using my thumbs just like my old phone. 6) Google maps with GPS! I put a mount on my bicycle to help me see exactly where I'm going and how close I am to my goal. Minuses 1) Lack of documentation or helpful tips sheets. It was trial and error to find the right applications in the Marketplace section. If you have specific needs, there probably is an application for that! But, be prepared to search. 2) Battery life when using GPS navigation - I like the applications that show where the red light and speed cameras are. But be prepared to have your battery life drop off! A car charger is a must for longer road trips. Overall, it has been a great experience. I do recommend buying a set of plastic screen covers as well as a case to help protect the phone. I am using it more than any other phone, including my former Blackberry! Enjoy and good luck!

Wow! This is the perfect phone!

by J. Russell from on 2009-12-06
The HTC Droid Eris surprises you with an amazing operating system and well built hardware. Comparisons are hard to avoid with the iPhone, which has proven to be the benchmark for touchscreen smart phones and the overly hyped Moto Droid. I went to the Verizon store to buy a Moto Droid and found it to be poorly built. It looks terrible, feels terrible, and I couldn't type anything on that keyboard. Then I noticed the Droid Eris on the same shelf and before I picked it up I could tell the Eris was a solid phone. I have owned it for a week now and I'm still impressed. The build quality is fantastic, clean lines, feels good in your hands, brilliant screen, thin yet solid like a brick, and a wonderful rubberized matte black finish, which does not show fingerprints or scratches and will not slide around on smooth surfaces. This is my first HTC, but it won't be my last. The phone is well thought out. Android is great and with HTC's Sense UI it is slick, completely customizable and easy to use. I'm a Apple guy, I like their products. I own a 64 gb touch and have used the iPhone before. The Eris's only flaw compared to the Apple products is the music player. I want my phone ready to answer calls so I don't want it connected to my home or car stereo anyway. I use my touch for music and movies and use the Eris for everything else. I couldn't be happier. I have multiple email accounts and with the Eris they can all be managed easily and separately for notification options. HTC includes many widgets for email, txt mssging and my favorite, your favorite contacts widget, all phones should have that one. I use google voice and android's integration with it is seamless. There is just too much good stuff packed into this device to tell here. With all phones like the Eris, battery life is an issue. You can't have a device like the Eris or iPhone 3GS and not have to charge it everyday. It is just that simple. Sure you could dim the screen, keep the WiFi and Bluetooth shut off and only make calls to get normal battery life but why own a smart phone then? Learning how to use the Eris I spent 5 hours straight making calls, browsing the internet, using WiFi and Bluetooth, syncing my email, playing with every widget, changing all the settings, downloading apps and using them... Basically worked the phone as hard as possible and I needed to charge it when I was done. That said, with typical usage it lasts all day. I like full batteries so I will charge it at night and every time in the car. For a sleek, fully customizable phone on Verizon, look no further than the Droid Eris. Also, HTC will be updating the Eris's operating system to android 2.0 or 2.1 soon.

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