Well, my contract was up today, and I was lucky to be able to snag a Thunderbolt from VZ. I went to Best Buy and got the GeekSquad protection plan that covers everything. Along with a buyback as well, if something else comes out that I really want and don't want to worry about buying it outright. I doubt it will happen, but hey, you never know. I even got the phone with the the ZAGG invisible shield professionally installed.

My impressions:

Out of the box, the design impressed me and reminded me of my HTC Ozone that I upgraded from that gave me 2 years of trouble-free service throughout harsh conditions. The phone seemed extremely sturdy, and had a very good feel.

Battery life: After using it for about 2 hours straight, it seemed as if it didn't care how much I used it. Which is exactly like my old Ozone. It had an excellent battery life.

OS: Well, it's got the Droid OS tailored up with the HTC background tools (HTC sense) that make it a lot better. Without the HTC system tools seem not to run as good as they should. I don't think my Ozone would've worked nearly as well if it didn't have the HTC sense. The OS seems fast and snappy, which is much better than the Droid X.

I think it's a great phone... and man, what an upgrade from my Ozone... even though that was a smart phone... looking at this Thunderbolt, it made my Ozone look pretty ancient.

 

NICE!

I just got an incredible, and it was my first smart phone. It looks a lot like mine in the front, not so much on the back. I'd love to play with one. Does it have HDMI out like the Droid X?

 

Don't think it has an HDMI port (or last I heard it didn't)

I have an Incredible also and love it. Mine is rooted running CyanogenMod 7 - ProTekk's #15 build with Chad's Incredikernel.

 

It has HDMI out.

I'm getting mine on Tuesday, can't wait!

 

Been 24 hours with my phone and its great! The battery life is insanley good! I'm glad I waited and got this phone...

Even displays f150online great!

 

Been another day... and the battery life more than totally acceptable.

2 1/2 days before needing to be charged... most Droid users have to charge theirs everyday.

 

2 or 3 X a day for me. I post to this site mostly by phone. I use it for everything.

 

Awesome, didn't know it had an HDMI out. Last I heard (when it was still a rumored device) it wasn't supposed to have an HDMI out. Thats also great to hear it has great battery life, I have to charge my phone daily. Congrats on the pickup, it's good to hear it is living up to its expectations.

 

Looks like my EVO only with a fatter kick stand. And my phone requires a nightly charge, along with a mid afternoon boost.

 

my Evo i can usually get a day and half out of with charging it with normal usage and about two days with the screen dimmed and GPS and updates off

 

My Incredible eats my battery, like the cookie monster eats cookies.
I wonder if the thunderbolt uses the same kind battery?
Or would it matter?
Or am I making any sense?

 

have had the thunderbolt since it came out last week. Love it way better than the droid and the 4g network is fast getting speeds of 12g and 24g


downloaded green power(free version) as a battery saver and it works awesome

 

Eh, I like the bright screen and GPS. What updates? You talking about the auto software update?

 

I usually leave everything on unless i know i am not gonna be a ble to charge it for awhile and i am referring to the Face book updates and such

 

I just traded in my trusty 5 year old Palm Centro for a LG Optimus S w/ Android 2.2. It is a really great phone.

Your Thunderbolt looks great ManualF150!