Develop Bugs

[Q] Before I buy a HTC Desire HD - Clean Custom Rom?

Hi,
I am in the fortunate situation that I can pick out any cell phone that I Want. The Phone I have as of today is a HTC Desire.
Before I choose out a phone I wonder if there are any Custom ROM that can compare with the "clean, smooth and fast" Oxygen Room by AdamG for Desire HD?

the Desire HD is the Desire much improved, but we don't have anything as clean as the oxygen rom in development yet, best you can do is CM6
i'm on the official sense rooted + buzz kernel 1.0.6 and its running like a dream

What is the big improvement? "Start-up from hibernating" ?
Isnt the big improvements software-wise, and not hardware?

4.3 inch screen very close to the surface, despite not being either IPS or Amoled but its just beautiful, simply use a classic desire after the DHD and you will understand
much better soft keys instead of hard to press hard keys
beautiful unibody design
50% more RAM
more efficient 2nd gen snapdragon, OCable to 1.5GHz
internal storage problem gone for good, you have around 1GB free internaly, you dont see a mention of A2SD or Data2sd around here
a GPU that can handle 800x480 games at last, runs quake2 at 60fps makes a laugh out of the old one
Genuine Four Point Multi-touch sensor, you will never loose a reckless racing match because the touch gone crazy and you wont have to explain it to your friends
better camera and flash, check here Desire HD Camera guide
all you need to do is make sure you can handle the size plus weight, also make sure the unit you purchase is clean of factory defects, more info here Compilation of DHD ISSUES
as for the battery, custom kernels and calibration will solve that for you
more info here Would you buy Desire or Desire HD?
any other question and it will be like asking me to buy it for your just kidding
good luck

hamdir said:
4.3 inch screen very close to the surface, despite not being either IPS or Amoled but its just beautiful, simply use a classic desire after the DHD and you will understand
internal storage problem gone for good, you dont see a mention of A2SD or Data2sd around here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
thank you for your reply
I have tried out a HD, but only with HTC Official Rom - and that ROM is lagging!
Great screen, yes ;-)
What do you mean about the problem with internal storage? Is the install location = SD as default, or is the internal storage expanded?

You may want to consider the battery before you buy, I tried every mod/kernel/custom rom/ 2g ect ect and the battery is terrible..1250mah is the reason why not matter how you look at it...When your out all day and some of the night without a charger then the phone becomes useless..
The main reason I sold mine, if that doesn't bother you then its a great phone..
Hd recording is pretty bad too, it becomes worse when compared to the SGS...a big difference..

nukleuzN said:
Hi,
thank you for your reply
I have tried out a HD, but only with HTC Official Rom - and that ROM is lagging!
Great screen, yes ;-)
What do you mean about the problem with internal storage? Is the install location = SD as default, or is the internal storage expanded?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting the phone and installing the buzz kernel will eliminate lag in the stock rom. It will also improve battery life.
Internal storage is 1.5gb, which leaves about 1gb for apps, rest if for the rom.
If after the new kernel you find it still too slow you can try cyanogen mod. Its very fast and stable although battery life is a little less than stock rom for some people.
Sent with Christmas cheer.

the official rom lags because of the stupid /init bug, easily solved by enabling usb debugging mode check here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=826507
as an added speed i'm running Buzz kernel v1.0.6 with interactive governor and it never lags even if i try check here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880573
HD recording is not bad as long as you learn how to adjust the settings, you can check the info in my camera guide
as for storage i meant with the classic desire you have very little 150MB internal storage, you have around 1GB with the DHD

hamdir said:
HD recording is not bad as long as you learn how to adjust the settings, you can check the info in my camera guide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not in the same league as the SGS...that goes for sound quality too..having had both phones and comparing them there is a big difference.

did this just turn out into an SGS vs Desire HD thread?? i don't get it really
the question was against Desire, there is another thread praising SGS go there
if you want me to go ahead and start hammering your SGS low points, i can go right now

hamdir said:
did this just turn out into an SGS vs Desire HD thread?? i don't get it really
the question was against Desire, there is another thread praising SGS go there
if you want me to go ahead and start hammering your SGS low points, i can go right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually: Im interessted.. Since I also have the SGS on my maybe-list
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

nukleuzN said:
Actually: Im interessted.. Since I also have the SGS on my maybe-list
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same i wanna see this i used to have a galaxy s and now i have a hd7 and g2 thinking about getting a desire hd imported wanna see how it compares

Halabeaster54 said:
same i wanna see this i used to have a galaxy s and now i have a hd7 and g2 thinking about getting a desire hd imported wanna see how it compares
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Is the desire a good smartphone? Pros n cons wanted

I have a friend looking at phones...is this a decent phone? Are there any problems with it as far as hardware goes? Reliable, etc... im not new to xda just have an incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

People says that the desire's ambient light sensor has a problem which I have yet to encounter. Also, the desire has very small internal memory which could be a problem in the future date.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

cons: battery life, small internal app space
pros: pretty much everything else

OpusX11 said:
cons: battery life, small internal app space
pros: pretty much everything else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I think the battery life is rather normal just like other smartphones and shouldn't be quoted as a con.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

OpusX11 said:
cons: battery life, small internal app space
pros: pretty much everything else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To some extend (almost entirely) I agree with OpusX11. However:
1. Unless the very latest models are different, all (each and every single) smartphone are provided with "short" batteries. Personally, I can go one full day without recharging (push enabled, several phone calls, some internet, some wifi, some GPS).
2. Small is so relative... Again, only very few smartphones are provided with more that half a Gb memory for programs. Do we want more? Yes!, but as of today, this is among the biggest ROM available in the market. You can overcome this limitation with several very nice cooked ROMs available here at XDA (I'm very happy with the RCMixHD ROM I'm using)

rafaelegomezb said:
To some extend (almost entirely) I agree with OpusX11. However:
1. Unless the very latest models are different, all (each and every single) smartphone are provided with "short" batteries. Personally, I can go one full day without recharging (push enabled, several phone calls, some internet, some wifi, some GPS).
2. Small is so relative... Again, only very few smartphones are provided with more that half a Gb memory for programs. Do we want more? Yes!, but as of today, this is among the biggest ROM available in the market. You can overcome this limitation with several very nice cooked ROMs available here at XDA (I'm very happy with the RCMixHD ROM I'm using)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't that technically negates off the cons? Leaving the desire flawless? Lol.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Internal space is limited, can be overcome with apps2sd as mentioned above.
Power button is annoying, the slightest touch will turn your phone on, annoying when your trying to save the last 10 minutes battery for an important phone call.
I've dropped mine a dozen times on concrete from hand height with no protector and its still working fine.
There is massive developer support here if your into that sort of thing, you will arguably get more/higher quality hacks, mods and rom's than on less popular devices.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Coming from an old Nokia 5140i the Desire is extremely good.
I am running stock HTC 2.2 and haven't had any problems with neither battery nor storage (admittedly I don't install very many apps).
I go from 100% battery to between 50 and 10% during a days usage. And that often includes Wi-Fi on almost all day, about 30-40 SMS, some web browsing and between 30 to 60 minutes of games on the bus.
I have dropped my phone without protection once on a gravel road from hip height and the only damage were some small scratches in the plastic on the top.
As written above the power button is a bit sensitive, but not something that's overly annoying.
I have a SLCD screen and it is very nice, both regarding colours, brightness and touch sensitivity.
It's very nice to have actual buttons for the home/menu/back/search buttons, and not touch ones, as it's less risk of accidentally pushing them.
All in all it is a very solid phone (for me at least) and one I would very much recommend.

I agree- a top phone all in all;
cons- battery (lasts about 2 days max for me), low internal memory, (no htcsense.com could be a downside too?)
pros- nice design, quick phone, with android!

Lothaen said:
I agree- a top phone all in all;
cons- battery (lasts about 2 days max for me), low internal memory, (no htcsense.com could be a downside too?)
pros- nice design, quick phone, with android!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Htcsense.com will come to desire when(or if) it upgrades to sense 2.0
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Old phone already, I doubt that even gingerbread will be availabe as an OTA update, not even mentioning sense 2.0 because of the low internal memory.
So,
Cons: old device, probably no more support from htc, probably no ginger and most likely no sense 2.0 and custom ROMs with it will never be smooth
Pros: overall a decent phone, satisfied with it but very pissed on the HTC support
The battery is not an issue, you can easily get 2 days out of it if used with knowledge and tweaked with some custom ROMs.

lvnatic said:
Old phone already, I doubt that even gingerbread will be availabe as an OTA update, not even mentioning sense 2.0 because of the low internal memory.
So,
Cons: old device, probably no more support from htc, probably no ginger and most likely no sense 2.0 and custom ROMs with it will never be smooth
Pros: overall a decent phone, satisfied with it but very pissed on the HTC support
The battery is not an issue, you can easily get 2 days out of it if used with knowledge and tweaked with some custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There might be sense 2.0. However due to the small internal memory, HTC might limit it (less features installed on phone etc.) And gingerbread should come out before they stop support.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I listed battery life as a con because friends with samsung android phones can get more life from their battery. I do agree that all smartphones suffer from short battery life, but i think the HTC sense-based phones are a bit worse than others in this space.
I'm not sure HTCSense.com is a big deal. Apps like WaveSecure or Lookout can do do online backup of data anyway, right? Are there other features of HTCSense.com that are note-worthy?

lvnatic said:
...
So,
Cons: old device, probably no more support from htc, probably no ginger and most likely no sense 2.0 and custom ROMs with it will never be smooth
Pros: overall a decent phone, satisfied with it but very pissed on the HTC support
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true - i use coolexe HD v5 ROM (sense 2) which fits as a whole in the internal memory. This ROM - to me - is as fast and snappy as the original ROM. Couldn't believe it by myself when i tried it first...
And HTC is the best company when it comes to supporting it's devices. See Sony and Motorola fiasko... Shure, they won't support it forever, but community is great and if you are willing to "play" with it, it will last even longer.
Only thing i would complain about Desire is, that it doesn't have a "real" multitouch display - though pinch to zoom is working flawless. For me, it's a near perfect device - more than any other device - even until now.

Thanks guys i appreciate all the comments. Im fairly sure my friends will be getting this phone. It sounds very very similar to my incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

hudl said:
Not true - i use coolexe HD v5 ROM (sense 2) which fits as a whole in the internal memory. This ROM - to me - is as fast and snappy as the original ROM. Couldn't believe it by myself when i tried it first...
And HTC is the best company when it comes to supporting it's devices. See Sony and Motorola fiasko... Shure, they won't support it forever, but community is great and if you are willing to "play" with it, it will last even longer.
Only thing i would complain about Desire is, that it doesn't have a "real" multitouch display - though pinch to zoom is working flawless. For me, it's a near perfect device - more than any other device - even until now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Belive me, I have tried all of the Desire HD/Z ports available, even since november when they started to show up. I have tried all kinds of tweaks, some of them that you haven't even heard of probably. Ext2 which is supposed to be faster, ext4 without journal, ext partition alignment, ownhere's data2ext version (2ext partitions), patched sqlite, overclock, undervolted kernel + overclock, I even bought a class 6 card especially for this. I always rolled back to leedroid. Belive me, I have tried them all, they are still ports not optimized for desire and never will run smoothly.
I really have hopes for gingerbread, but for sense 2.0, no chance.

I have my Desire for just over a week now and i must say i really love it!
But then again i came from the LG Arena (KM900) which is just an awfull phone, so my opion might not be the most objective.. i never had another Android phone before..
I did some research before getting mine at the beginning of 2011, and the Desire being almost a year old, even then alot of sites still rate the original Desire in their top 5, most sites (in europe) compare it with the iPhone4, Samsung Galaxy S, and HTC's own Desire HD. i really liked the 3.7" screen size, the 4" on the HD & Galaxy S (with the same resolution as the 3,7") are just too big for me..
and actually the Desire being almost a year old was actually a great selling point for me. Last time i had to choose a new phone i wanted the top notch, and that was right before LG came out with the Arena, they made it look as the perfect and best phone ever.. (the other options at that time being phones with WM6.5 or iPhone..) but man was i disappointed. So this time around i did some better research , and a phone being almost a year old but still being rated that high couldn't be a misser! Also with such a big community behind it i knew there would be lots of 'of road' stuff to try with it... (but that could be true for most android phones..)
Then there was the rumour of HTC new line up coming soon, but hey new phones come out all the time, and you can't wait forever.. anyway my contract with vodafone would end pretty soon and i had to act fast..
but like i said before, i'm really happy with it. I'm a linux fan and pretty well educated in IT so started messing with it the second day i got it , rooted it, installed several different mods just to try them out.. i'm still amazed what's possible with it.. (today i tried the 'PicMe' app for the first time, which let you view and control the device through any browser.. amazing)
anyway very happy it and i'm sure you're friend would be too...
/edit:
and to react on all the cons noted above:
battery live is what i expected from talking to friends owning android phones (and iPhones for that matter..), i just hook it up to the recharger every night anyway... but mostly end up with 30-40% left and the end of the day , and im using it pretty intense atm, just trying out new stuff all day long
and mods not being smooth : I'm running CM7 now, with data2sd mod and its running perfectly smooth for me (with the stock SD).. but might get a faster (&bigger) SD one day, but no complaints from me at all..

lvnatic said:
Belive me, I have tried all of the Desire HD/Z ports available, even since november when they started to show up. I have tried all kinds of tweaks, some of them that you haven't even heard of probably. Ext2 which is supposed to be faster, ext4 without journal, ext partition alignment, ownhere's data2ext version (2ext partitions), patched sqlite, overclock, undervolted kernel + overclock, I even bought a class 6 card especially for this. I always rolled back to leedroid. Belive me, I have tried them all, they are still ports not optimized for desire and never will run smoothly.
I really have hopes for gingerbread, but for sense 2.0, no chance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, i believe you of course. And, really, i don't know why the same phone reacts so different for different people. But for me, i found my winner - and it's sense 2!
I have no lags after unlocking the screen, scrolling in long lists, switching the tasks or whatsoever. I have no cause to go back to sense 1. Leedroid wasn't stable for me as wasn't RCMixHD. I think everyone has to test it by him/herself what's the best ROM - but hey, that's why we are on Android and not iOS, right?

lvnatic said:
Old phone already, I doubt that even gingerbread will be availabe as an OTA update, not even mentioning sense 2.0 because of the low internal memory.
So,
Cons: old device, probably no more support from htc, probably no ginger and most likely no sense 2.0 and custom ROMs with it will never be...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC confirmed the GB update & Sense 2 for it. ATM using sense 2 with a custom ROM, and if you know-how, a custom ROM can be faster&smother than the stock. At least in my case is.
Sent from my customized HTC Desire using TTP

My Pro & Cons views on HTC Desire
Pros: Decent screen size, LED flash, variety of ROMs after flashing making it rather silly not to flash , Flashing solves quite a number of problems. My 'light' usage normally drops to 30-40% near the end of the day but flashing a good kernel manage to keep it up to 60s . Decent speakers.
Cons:
a)Low int memory (Solvable by flashing- you need to know the difference. )
b)Low batt life (This is such a cheap comment I don't even consider it as a con and neither should you, I don't get why some losers keep trolling about practically ALL the smartphones just because they weren't designed to last that long or maybe they didn't put such a big battery for a reason. Pregnant smartphones...)
c)Hot when using phone while charging. (Not sure if it is a general issue)
d)Difficult back cover. (If no protection, the plastic lens is sitting on table and supposably it's a bad thing. More exposed to scratches and can ruin shots)
Hard to open as well if no nails (mine has scratches lol I got no nails)
e) Proprietary micro usb charger is not covered. Glhf with dust if you work in a dirty area (with lotta dust)
f) Power button extremely easy to press. Over-sensitive. (Solvable by reducing screen off timer by 15s or so, if you use a good rom, it lets you go lower for lock-screens )
g) Wifi reception is weak. (Tested with a friend's N8, has 2 bar while I got none, has full bar while I have 2-3 -_-, I changed a lot of radios, difference never really hit more than over a bar)
h) Idk why they put speakers at the back, srsly. Lol.
i) tbc

Custom roms lover DHD or Sensation?

Hello!
I have actually an Arc though it's rooted for a while it seems it will have poor custom roms support (actually zero) while I was a custom rom addict on the N1
I am waiting now for the Sensation because of its upgraded hardware over DHD, better screen,better cpu,better battery?,better speaker and of course the infamous SenSe 3.0
BUT
I have already all these upgrades on my Arc (only cpu dual core) and if I am already bored of my Arc its mainly because it doesn't have roms yet and will never have as much as a DHD.
The Sensation could be locked as tight as the incredible S which is of course a big problem for custom roms...
So DHD can still be the best HTC phone for a custom roms lover like me right?
I am only afraid of battery life, if it can be as good as N1 I don't care but if it's like the nokia n95 one...

You can expect about a day's worth of use depending on ROM, kernel, radio, CPU settings etc. on the DHD with use.
Some people say the get 8 hours, some say 16 hours, some say even longer. Really depends on what you do to the phone (software and usage).
Personally I'd wait for the Sensation. Where there's a will there's a way and here at xda the will is mighty indeed.

Custom ROM support is all about popularity - the more people own a particular phone, then the more custom roms there will be for it. Sensation will definitely be more popular than the arc (though never as good looking!)

That's why the Desire HD is still attractive, everything is here: MIUI, ported IS and DS roms, CM7,Modaco...
I really preffer the Sensation above all other devices but if it will be locked like the IS...

vegetaleb said:
That's why the Desire HD is still attractive, everything is here: MIUI, ported IS and DS roms, CM7,Modaco...
I really preffer the Sensation above all other devices but if it will be locked like the IS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IT´S a time question that the sensation protection falls....time to the time... Let's not go forward that still is not developing in XDA hahhahah

Yep I know that sooner or later any device can be unlocked, the X10 is a good exemple but in that case it took 10 months to do it

It's simple. Do you want the best phone spec wise or do you want the phone that is currently the most customisable?
If you want best spec phone now and don't mind a potential wait for root solution then get something like the Sensation.
If ability to gain root asap is priority then get DHD or equivalent.
That's it. Make the decision.
Sent using witchcraft via XDA Developers App.

While waiting for Sensation, Desire or DHD?

So here's the plan:
I am getting the Sensation once it's rooted and price is 600$ and less, so I guess July?
In the waiting period I want to have fun with an htc device with plenty of roms, I still don't know if I get a Desire or DHD, so if you can help me:
-Which one has a louder speaker for ringtones?
-Better screen under sunlight?
-Overall quality/design
-Battery life?
I am afraid of the DHD weight while it's just 30g more
Also buying it will cost 100$ more but reselling in 2 month?

The DHD has the better screen, but lower battery life. But with a costume kernel you can safe battery. I have a Desire and I'm not dissapointed. But why can't you wait until august?
Btw: I think the DHD has louder speakers...

m33-snk said:
The DHD has the better scKreen, but lower battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bigger doesn't actually mean better. DHD has the same SLCD screen as Desire packed with the same resolution on 0.5" larger screen, which gives greater dot pitch which is never a good thing in the terms of image quality.
For the battery life I would consider them roughly equal, despite the larger screen DHD has more energy efficient hardware.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

surely the fact you can pick up a Desire cheaper is better in the short term?
although waiting would be the best option imo

Already sold the Arc!
I am going to the mobile shop after lunch, I will see if the DHD is too big and heavy or not, if it's too much for me I will pick a Desire, as simple as that
I have a slight preference for DHD because I am afraid the Desire will be a sort of return to my old device (N1) so perhaps little boring while the DHD has some upgraded hardwares and Sense 3.0 weather rom
Even for 1.5/2 months

vegetaleb said:
Already sold the Arc!
I am going to the mobile shop after lunch, I will see if the DHD is too big and heavy or not, if it's too much for me I will pick a Desire, as simple as that
I have a slight preference for DHD because I am afraid the Desire will be a sort of return to my old device (N1) so perhaps little boring while the DHD has some upgraded hardwares and Sense 3.0 weather rom
Even for 1.5/2 months
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd choose none of those lol...if you really can't wait i'd recommend a nexus s, dhd has a decent cpu but the gpu still is quite suckish even compared to the one the sgs packs.
Btw, looks like the sgs II will own the sensation big time, plus it has unlocked bootloader and it has been rooted already...

I got the desire and the DHD and I have to say desire is better to use cos you can in fact use it with one hand. 0.6 inches really makes a difference.
The screen on dhd just looks like a stretched desire to me. I installed the DHD rom on my desire and a 32 gig card with a 4 gig ext and basically, no issues whatsoever.
so i sold my dhd and got an ipod touch and glued it to the back of my desire!

If it is only for waiting..Desire should be your solution.
Desire is still a good phone and it is cheap especially the second handed ones.....and..who knows you can still found the old one with AMOLED....
Or the newer white one...
Sent from HTC desire with InsertCoin 2.0.1 Data2EXT

what about a Desire S?

raheeljessa;
...The screen on dhd just looks like a stretched desire to me. I installed the DHD rom on my desire and a 32 gig card with a 4 gig ext and basically said:
which ROM is it? where can I find detailed instructions to do that?
coz that's exactly what I want to do with my Desire (as I hv to wait appr 1 year until my contract expires).
Sent from my unrooted, non-branded ie untouched HTC Desire on official froyo, using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

iLHaNroID said:
which ROM is it? where can I find detailed instructions to do that?
coz that's exactly what I want to do with my Desire (as I hv to wait appr 1 year until my contract expires).
Sent from my unrooted, non-branded ie untouched HTC Desire on official froyo, using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are plenty of ROMs such as InsertCoin, RCmixHD, etc.
Instruction? Just like any other custom ROMs.
I recommend InsertCoin Data2Ext or InsertCoin Data++.
I am using InsertCoin Data2Ext and still not tempted to try others at the moment, it is the best I have till now ('ve tried LeeDroids, MIUI, RCmixHD, etc.)
I am now waiting an 100% working, relatively bug-free, and stable Android 2.3 new-Sense ROM.

One great advantage of the DHD is that HTC started the rollout for official Gingerbread for the DHD!

Bought a DHD!
I don't regret a sec
Great roms for that great device, I am getting 2200 pts in quadrant when I had 1400 max with Nexus one

ill sell u my htc desire unlocked if u want

[Q] Possible upgrade to Desire HD from original Desire

Hi, I have had my Desire for over 10 month now, I'm mostly satisfied, but there are a couple of things that bug me, first the f*cking tiny nand and second outdated CPU and GPU. I was thinking Desire HD might be a good upgrade, since Desire S has a small screen and can't be rooted and Incredible S is too expensive and can't yet be rooted, and the back of it looks horrible. But, there are a few things I need to know:
1. How's the sound quality of DHD? Since I read in GSMArena that it's not so great, and it's pretty important for me.
2. Battery life compared to Desire.
3.What's your opinion on this upgrade?
Thanks in advance.

I think there are better phones out there to upgrade.
My phone is the desire hd and many friends still have the desire.
The external speaker quality is bad, the headset quality is good.
Battery life is good, 2 days with low usage, 1 day with high usage. I think no big difference between the desire.

If you are on amoled display with the desire maybe the display will be a little annoying as the LCD on HD isn`t the best...as KaseDesire mentioned the speaker is really bad and the camera isn`t very good either because the sound record quality kinda sucks but it depends on how much money you can get it and so on, the build quality is very nice but at this momment duno if it`s really the best choice, maybe wait for next gen phones, the best is if you have a friend with HD and ask him to let you play with it a bit so you can see exactly if it fits you because for some people even the big display can be a no go.

Custom Desire ROM with overclock and apps2sd should sort you out for now, perhaps?

3. Why not going for a newer device, like the sensation for example if you are upgrading now or Galaxy S 2 (if you don't mind a samsung mobile -well I do mind for myself xD-)
1&2. For me the DHD with ARHD Rom and 3.0 sense addons is very good and fast, battery lasts for 14-18 hours with heavy usage. Sound quality is brilliant.