[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III General] evolution_theory:
VS

(ATT Tilt on left and HTC Kaiser on right)

The ATT Tilt is slated for an October 5th release as of October 2nd.

Note: I do not yet own either a HTC Kaiser or an ATT Tilt. I am creating this guide to help both others and myself make a clear comparison between these two devices as there are significant differences not only in price but in features and design. This guide is incomplete as we don’t yet have the full specifications for the Tilt officially. As more information is posted in this thread I will continue to update this guide for your viewing pleasure!

ATT Tilt vs Kaiser – Pros and Cons (Out of box comparisons)

ATT Tilt Pros: 2

Pricing!

The number one reason to purchase a Tilt over a Kaiser is ATT’s price. At a projected $349.99 with a 2 year contract through ATT you can pick up a Tilt at just under $450 cheaper than the HTC Kaiser. Without a 2 year contract through ATT you can purchase a Tilt for $549.99 and still save about $250 over the Kaiser.

Support

By purchasing a Tilt from an ATT corporate store or retailer you’ll have ATT’s full technical support and replacement options as they’re eligible for your phone. Insurance beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. Also you’ll have a service shop/vendor in your local town. I have on multiple occasions taken mine or colleague’s phones to ATT to have them instantly switched out with the same or other phones. I work for a corporation so the relationship might be better on my end than the average consumer but either way I didn’t have to drop the phone in the UPS pickup.

ATT Tilt Cons: 4

Design!

ATT has redesigned the aesthetic and hardware aspects of the Kaiser.. to a point. Some of these may be Pros to different users.

ATT removed a second low megapixel front camera from the Tilt. This will eliminate any possible “One way” video options despite ATT’s future plans to release “Video Calls”. ATT has recolored/surfaced both the keyboard and top frame of the Kaiser. Beyond these two changes we don’t yet have enough information on the Tilt’s hardware changes to list further concerns in design change.

Software!

The Tilt appears to NOT include the HTC homescreen plug-in. The HTC Home plug-in is an awesome upgrade to WM6 which many users on these forums have grown to love. ATT will also include much BLOATWARE, meaning extra programs designed to draw in more revenue for ATT’s own services.

GPS

The Tilt is locked to Telenav through ATT.

Network

The Tilt is NOT unlocked and must remain on ATT’s network. Also ATT may charge increased data usage fees based on your phone model.

HTC Kaiser Pros: 4

Design!

The Kaiser has a more modern and less-bulky and flat design over the HTC Hermes, it's predecessor. The Kaiser has by general opinion been improved quite a bit. There are no extraneous gaudy chrome keys on the face of the Kaiser and the keyboard is a professional low-profile black.

The Kaiser includes the front video camera and is guaranteed to retain ALL original specifications of the device without any nerfs by specific providers. With the Kaiser you know you're getting a device as it was intended to be designed.

Software

The Kaiser comes standard with HTC's Homescreen. The HTC Home plug-in is an excellent addition to WM6 both functionally and aesthetically.

In the Kaiser's operating system you will find only HTC's essential software. Your device's memory will not be bogged down additional "useless" software.

GPS

The Kaiser GPS is not locked to a specific software and comes with Tom Tom standard.

Network

The Kaiser is unlocked and can be used on ANY network providers’ service. You may also be able to avoid additional charges based on phone model when using specific service providers because your phone is unlocked and indefinable.

HTC Kaiser Cons: 2

Price!

The HTC Kaisers only con compared to the Tilt thus far is the price. At $750 to $800 dollars and $250-350 more than the Tilt the Kaiser is a costly device/toy. You are essentially paying to have everything unnerfed and unlocked. You have to ask yourself if the price is worth having the best in design and functionality? Through the XDA Store and with XDA's added membership discount you can pick up the HTC Kaiser for as low as $679.99 with free shipping and no contract with any carrier.

Support

The Kaiser is ordered online and often times from a European retailer. This means you will have no in-store support and usually only a warranty covering the first year of use. You are very limited in terms of technical support and hardware replacement when ordering a Kaiser online. You can't trade it in at the local retailer and you can't call HTC (As far as I'm aware) for technical assistance. There is no insurance option.

In Conclusion

Both the ATT Tilt and HTC Kaiser are excellent phones, in fact they may be the highest end Windows Mobile devices on the market below $1000 USD. For those consumers and businesses looking for the best bang for the buck I would definitely recommend the ATT Tilt. In a corporate environment a front camera, or even a camera at all, is not necessary and often not even allowed. The price of the Tilt makes it very appealing to the bottom line and the design and software cons are not much concern to most business professionals.

For those seeking the latest and greatest without the limitations of "The Man" then the HTC Kaiser is your mark, provided your budget is up to par.

If you do decide to settle on the ATT Tilt for the obvious price difference you will have the option down the line to flash an XDA Developed rom onto that ATT phone to negate many of the negative features of the ATT Rom. By flashing a new rom to your phone your only real drawback to the Tilt will be the lack of a front facing camera and the possibly gaudy coloring of the ATT design. It is also very likely that on these XDA forums an unlock tool wil become available for the Tilt to allow it's use on non-ATT Networks.