own it for 1+ week. get it about rm13++. 1st time android user - move from wm. done extensive minimal ui customization (flat color, transparent everywhere). go launcher because of folder in app drawer-sound like ios huh, whatever, but easier to manage & don't want 27 redundant shortcut for 1 application. also i can swipe down & turn off the screen (with crt animation)

live in ifreak environment (iphone, ipad, ipod). comparison side by side with iphone 4, of course iphone win in general (it's shame lose to 3.5" lcd, 800mhz downclock cpu phone). ios just not for tinkerer like me (even my wife always 'poison' me to bought, to facetime with her)

arc vs ip4
CAMERA - quality arc, experiance & overall ip4 (touch to focus etc).
SOUND - both good sq but arc win overall, 1st can tweak further (i'm using volume+), then bundle with ok but bassy earphone (good to basshead). overrated poweramp is total crap, no hifi & noisy, just use stock player, use musicoff app for sleep. use my trusty cheap soundmagic pl10 iem.
INTERNET - when in ip4 safari i think is okay, in arc stock browser i'm not really appreciate. move to dolphin browser, then at last use opera mobile as overall winner for my arc.
CONNECTION - ip4 have great connection (what antennagate? who care) but so as arc. having no trouble with any connection.
STYLE - both okay, arc is hensome.

SCREEN - good news: watching movie (or even youtube) is more joy in arc, you can see the depth of the subject/object. bad news: you can't share that joy. why? you have to head on the lcd, slight tilt will change all the goodness to disaster. this is far worst than my last 2 years omnia (just leave the great ip4 ips screen or good samoled). this is the biggest regret to this phone (that i'm not notice at 1st time). why, now i'm forced to put the phone in my hand, later, i just dont care if i watch youtube or surfing (or read & ignore messaging) when the phone lying on the table or on the bed.

all in all, i just don't know my feeling about this phone, the screen really turn me off to appreciate all the goodness.

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Added on August 10, 2011, 1:41 pmi will live in denial in next 1+ years with arc .....

This post has been edited by abanglek: Aug 10 2011, 01:53 PM

i think upgrade after 145 not worth, no ota, mean will lost root access. moreover, nothing major/fix after that. if you want crt animation (or whatever animation), just patch on your 145 fw. find in xda developer, not much, but it's there.

moving from wm, i think i'm migrating the contacts via activesync -> outlook -> gmail -> xArc.

i'm waiting for miui, unfortunately arc not a favourite phone for custom rom developers, unlike optimus2x or samsungs. so just waiting for someone to port (& fix all the bug). by the way, arc ui quite good, no need to use launcherpro/adw.

no need to stir around with bootloader, use gingerbreak when 2.3.2, then ota upgrade. if you're already with 2.3.3, just downgrade back & re-break.

actually no need to root access for normal user, expecially when you're happy with all the stock (ui, sound etc). just if you really want to dive deep into customization then you should take back the power. show who's the boss.

no warranty lost when gingerbreak, if anything happen, just re-flash stock rom before send to service center (maybe for original set only? or maybe they just don't care)

* it's easier if you're familier with cli & linux, expecially when you're going to replace system files - actually not really rocket science, just understanding.

just show-off some of my arc ui department

main desk (go launcher, flat black notification area)


another 2 desk


notification (transparent background)


application drawer (folder - edit/wiggle mode - go launcher)


dialer (go contacts - t9 smart dialer, replace numb-dialer arc, better contacts view, eg: show multi-line note)


music player (google beta, no prob with stock player, but i have some reason)


sms & calendar & settings (black bg)


keyboard pro


*if you realize, the color theme is port from sgs2

to gingerbreak:

1. must in 2.3.2
2. go to settings - applications - tick unknown sources
3. google in browser - gingerbreak v1.2 apk & download
4. open gingerbreak, follow the instruction

after reboot, you have root access to your phone.
you can enjoy whatever software from market that need root access.

after root, you can safely update the software to 2.3.3 (145) ota.
update via pc will losing your root access.

at least for ota/gingerbreak method, you don't have to resetting all your phone, just update the newest software available ota & your phone just like usual.

* i feel slow when loaded desk with heavy widget (background processed), so psychologically when flash fresh your phone, it's feel breazy smooth..

for game, what should you pay, you should pay. but for testing whatever, please check 1st the game compatible with arc or not (some need specific hardware) or you will just wasting your time downloading 100-500mb files & can't play. go find the .apk file. it's not secret..

get ap set for rm13++ & use celcom or maybe digi (rather than rm14++ with contract from maxis). it's hard to ignore the fact that maxis have shoking bill (for data, & other hidden charges). i think maxis is just for company subsidize line.

with celcom, youtube is breezing fast, okay with other browsing (sometime slow). or if you have streamyx/unifi, celcom have cheapest rm50+ plan (i think 300mb data), just for your widget update or so.

but don't worry, celcom & digi just throttle down the speed after data limit reached.

it's not personal, but i will use anything but maxis (tried digi but you know what, coverage, but also good. i'm also ready to throw my astro if unify reaching my place).

my experience with celcom, they block immediately after reaching limit, including data & release immediately after maybank2u payment.
note here: there is no need to worry about data limit actually, they just throttle down the speed. i just experience when i'm subscribing daily & the they still count 10c/10kb. after reaching the limit, blocked. but they replying money when show the conformation subscription sms etc at center.

just check out the service provider website (celcom/digi) pick 1 that suit you. go to sp center to finished your registration, pick sim card etc. i can't tell what suit to you. what is your priority, call or data (i'm both not, i don't call much & i hate wireless broadband, i just streamyx or not at all). my wife take rm88 plan with 2gb data, she happy with that. with lot of call & lot of social networking & lot of gossiping, never pay more than that. i think rm88 plan is just base plan for everyone, than you can make adjustment after use it 1-2 months to suit you (maybe you need more data limit or more call?).