Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

5 Oct 2014 UPDATE The phone is still great. Unfortunately, the reviews do not reflect the reality of the Fire Phone, just the prejudices of some reviewers (both in the media and on this site): 1) It is not an iPhone and it is not a generic android phone. It uses Amazon's own operating system which is heavily based on android, but it is not the android that some people want. Google does not recognize it as android, so access is denied to googlePlay and googleServices by google. If you want an android phone, do not buy this phone. Amazon is not Apple. If you want an iPhone, do not buy this phone. 2) It is heavily integrated with services provided by Amazon. If you are not interested in Amazon services (books, videos, music, games, apps, the webstore, Amazon Cloud Drive), do not buy this phone. You won't like to and you will feel you are being pressured to use Amazon services because they are so seamlessly available from the phone. I use Amazon services almost exclusively for my digital purchases. I love the seamless integration. However, if I bought most of my digital purchases from Apple or google, I would not like this phone. 3) If you want a phone powered by rats spinning in a wheel, don't buy this phone. It uses real electrical energy powered by sources from the existing power grid in the United States, both for the phone itself and the cloud services it supports. 4) If you want a phone that works exactly like the phone you have now, don't buy it. It is not exactly like the phone you currently have. 5) If you do not want to use ATT as a provider, don't buy the phone. It won't work. Wait until the exclusivity ends and other carriers can offer it. 6) If you want stellar customer service, buy the phone from Amazon, not ATT. There are two extremes in customer service: Amazon is on one end and ATT is on the other. Unfortunately, you still have to deal with ATT for phone service issues. I have for years. I hate ATT, but they are the only game in town for this phone today. Get over it. I did. There is no such thing as a good telephone service provider, in the United States or in any other country I have worked in or lived in. It is the nature of phone services. They make money by having massive numbers of customers who each spend tiny amounts of money (relative to their total revenues). All customers are expendable because they can easily be replaced by others. They don't like you and you shouldn't like them. They are commercial enterprises, not your friend. Don't expect love. The same is true of Amazon. It is trying to build a business based on exceptional customer service. If and when they decide another business strategy is better for their owners, they will do it. But for now, Amazon can't be beat for customer service and a commitment to testing new markets and products (that are affordable). I have nothing to modify in my original review below, except for a few comments: 1) My phone was unlocked by ATT (I am an existing customer). I have been using it in Europe and Africa with 3 different providers and the phone works flawlessly, both using the cellular network and in connecting to available wifi hotspots. It works better than my Nokia and Samsung phones did in poor reception areas in Africa. Europe has better reception than the US in every country I work, so it is not an issue for any phone. 2) Some minor issues were resolved by the original update in August. Amazon announced that the new version of its operating system (being rolled out with the new Fire tablets) will be available for the phone early next year. I personally don't have any issues with the current operating system, but some people may feel it is too limited in options, especially those used to pure android phones which have so many options you can't actually figure out how to configure them. 3) The phone is exceptionally well built and durable. I only have the Amazon back case, but the phone looks like new and I have dropped it a lot (although not from a balcony or a cliff). Within 2 months of getting my Samsung S3 I had to purchase an Otter Case because the phone looked like it had been polished with course sand. 4) I, like everyone else who asked, got a $200 refund within hours of asking. Another example of Amazon's customer service. The price of one of the first versions of the iPhone had a price drop pretty quickly and Steve Jobs apologized. I prefer a refund. For those buying the phone, enjoy it. For those looking for that energy-free alternative, good luck finding it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have had my Fire Phone (64gb, no contract) for about two weeks and thought it was a time to write a review since so many of the reviews (especially the negative ones) are from trolls who have never seen, much less used, the Fire Phone. We actually have two of the phones. I am a confirmed Amazon user, and will continue to be one as long as Amazon offers the best customer service of any company, government agency, school, or employer I have experienced. However, my loyalty is only as deep as Amazon's ability to maintain that level of quality service and products. Having said that, the Fire Phone is certainly consistent with what I expected from Amazon. First of all, it is not perfect. This is version 1, and like versions 1 of the Kindle reader and the Kindle Fire, I am confident that Amazon will improve the product rapidly. I am certain we will see software upgrades soon for most of the minor glitches users have noted. Overall, I really like this phone. I wasn't expecting that in light of the mostly negative or lukewarm pre-reviews in the tech press. It has quickly become the phone of choice for me and my wife. We have sold or given away our Samsung Galaxy 3's (good riddance) and my Nokia 820 Windows phone (a really good phone, but severely limited by the tiny Windows Phone ecosystem). Google, Apple, or Amazon Devices? If you are a heavy user of Amazon services and/or Kindle Fire, the choice of this phone is a no brainer. It really works well in integrating with the Kindle Fire and with Amazon services. If you are a heavy user of google services or iStuff, this is definitely not the phone for you. Although the Fire OS is android-based, it is not pure android (which makes me happy). Because of that Google will not allow it to be used for googlePlay or most other services. There are work-arounds to get Chrome, google maps, and youtube, but that is about it. Of course, you can get gmail on this phone (although syncing contacts and calendar will require a complicated work-around (search for several methods on the Internet with the search term "google apps on Kindle Fire"). If you are a google and/or open android fanatic, you will hate this phone. For Apple junkies, it is even clearer that this is not the phone for you. Don't even consider it unless you are switching to the Amazon ecosystem. ATT is it for now, whether you like it or not. I am a confirmed ATT hater, but also a longtime trapped customer of ATT because of my needs. There are few companies with worse customer service or marketing/sales trickery than ATT (except, depending on your experience, Verizon, Sprint, T-mobile, US Cellular, and every other phone carrier, cable company, and bank you can name), but they have the best coverage in many parts of the country and it made sense for Amazon to launch with exclusivity (just like the first iPhones did, as well as original Kindle Fire 4G). ATT has been supplementing Amazon's marketing well so far. The exclusivity will end at some point, probably not too far off. The good news is the phone is not loaded with ATT junk apps, unlike Samsung phones. In fact, no ATT apps at all. I have a no contract phone because I need it unlocked for international travel. Currently, ATT's policy is to unlock no contract phones for existing customers after 60 days, so mine can be unlocked in another 6 weeks (I am counting). The other good news is this phone is capable of using almost every protocol in use in the world, so it can be used almost anywhere (except North Korea and a few other places). That is one thing ATT does right, unlike some other companies. Heat? Several reviewers commented that the phone gets hot. Every device I have ever had gets hot at first when setting it up (a lot is going on). For both our phones, they didn't get noticeably warm after the first couple of days. Feel and build The phone is a nice size and weight. It is perfect for both of us for one-handed use and it doesn't make you look like you are holding a book to your ear like larger phones. It doesn't feel like a cheap piece of plastic, like my Samsung Galaxy. On the other hand, it won't win any design awards. So what. Only 720p!! Several comments (from posters who obviously have never seen the phone) relate to the 720p resolution. It is almost impossible to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p screens at this size and use distance. In fact, pixel count is more important, and this phone has better resolution than most phones (it does record video in 1080). I have terrible vision and can use this phone easily without reading glasses, unlike my Galaxy. It also has the best outdoor display of any phone I have tried (even better than my Nokia Lumia 820, which is pretty good). Works well with sunglasses. Actually, the phone's display resolution and brightness is one of its best features. Where are my google apps? The Amazon app store is much smaller than googlePlay or the iStore. However, it doesn't have hundreds of thousands apps that don't really work (yes, I mean googlePlay). It does have a good selection of mainstream apps, and I am happy except for a few favorites that are not available, but will certainly be available soon. It is very simple to convert android apps for use on Amazon products, so I am sure most popular apps will be available soon (the same as was the case with the Kindle Fire when it was first released). However, a lot of specialized apps will probably never be available unless Amazon sells a lot more phones than is likely, so there will never be the selection available for the iPhone (especially business-related apps). Bluetooth and sound It does not currently support bluetooth low energy (4.0), but Amazon has said the chip is capable and there will be a software update rolled out to enable it. That bluetooth version is necessary to support a number of new devices that sync data via Bluetooth (like fitness devices). The built-in speakers are okay, but nothing to brag about. Pairing with Bluetooth is easy and stable. I use a Bose earbud, which paired flawlessly and works really well in every way with the Fire Phone). I have also paired bluetooth my 3 different bluetooth speaker without any problems. BTW, the included wired earbuds are very good (if they fit your ears). Unfortunately, they are one size fits all. Settings One of my irritations is with the poorly organized, deeply complex settings on other android phones. The Fire Phone has easy to find settings and they are logically organized. They are somewhat limited at this point (although several note that more settings will be available in the future). Voice commands The Siri-like voice function works pretty well for a new product. I use it a lot, something I did not do with my Galaxy. It is especially useful for looking up phone contacts, dictating SMS messages and short emails. Searching the Internet with voice has worked almost flawlessly for me. Verdict: I predict the voice function will become one of the strongest features of the Fire Phone. Dynamic Perspective Nice gimmick that I assume will be integrated into more apps in the future. The "peek" function works pretty well in keeping the screens uncluttered (especially in maps). I like it and hope it will develop. Firefly Very limited right now. Takes me a long time to get objects recognized. Mostly good for scanning bar and QR codes at this point, but this should also be a great function in the future. The advantage of Amazon's version is that it is available for app developers to integrate into their products. That should make it very useful. Camera Better than my Samsung, Nokia, and Kindle Fire cameras. I like it, especially the simple but robust video function. Side panels One of the best features for me is the left and right side panels. They work well, especially on the home page. The left panel serves the function of the top level tabs on the Kindle Fire to access each of the Amazon services. The right panel keeps track of current calendar, email, and text messages, as well as the weather. The device flicks are easy to use (once you practice a bit). They are also easily accessible with finger swipes. Again, I assume they will be integrated into apps over time. Tilt to scroll Only works in the Silk browser right now, but is scheduled to be included in an update to the Kindle reading app soon. Works well for me. I like it. Customization Limited now, as it was with the first generations of the Kindle readers and Fires. I expect it to get more robust over time. One thing needed is an option to control font size outside of apps. General I like this phone very much. I should mention that it works very well as a phone (voice quality, reception, etc.). Much better than my Samsung Galaxy as as well as my Nokia Lumia 820. I am happy I bought it, would do it again, and look forward to its development as a preferred alternative for heavy Amazon users that don't want to be pestered by gimmicky google and phone carrier apps. Amazon deserves a lot of credit for trying to create a phone that optimizes functions that are most useful on a smartphone. If you are not as heavy a user of Amazon services as I am (almost my exclusive source of everything I buy if available from Amazon.com), you might want to wait for version 2. If you don't use Amazon for stuff, don't buy it. If you want to use iStuff on your phone, don't buy it. If you love and want to use google services on your phone, don't buy it. Everyone has different preferences. For me, this is the phone I have been waiting for.