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HTC Desire Z vs. Motorola DROID 4: A Throwback Tech Showdown

Remember the days of slide-out keyboards and early Android? The HTC Desire Z and Motorola DROID 4 represent a fascinating era in smartphone evolution. Both devices offer a unique blend of nostalgia and functionality, but which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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HTC Desire Z vs DROID 4: Which Retro Phone Reigns?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Motorola DROID 4 takes the crown. Its dual-core processor and more modern chipset provide a noticeable performance boost over the Desire Z's single-core CPU. While both are dated, the DROID 4 offers a slightly smoother experience and better longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Desire Z Motorola DROID 4 XT894
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands-13
SpeedHSPA 14.4/5.76 MbpsEV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 HSDPA 850 / 1900 - North AmericaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Launch
Announced2010, September. Released 2010, November2012, January. Released 2012, February
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions119 x 60.4 x 14.2 mm (4.69 x 2.38 x 0.56 in)127 x 67.3 x 12.7 mm (5.0 x 2.65 x 0.5 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMMini-SIMMicro-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)178.9 g (6.28 oz)
 Optical trackpad-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density)540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~275 ppi density)
Size3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~51.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeS-LCDTFT
Platform
CPU800 MHz ScorpionDual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7230TI OMAP 4430
GPUAdreno 205PowerVR SGX540
OSAndroid 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), Sense UIAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal1.5GB; 512MB RAM16GB 1GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP, AF8 MP, AF
Video720p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single-1.3 MP
Video-720p
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP4.0, A2DP, LE, EDR
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Features
BrowserHTML, Adobe Flash-
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 Dedicated search key MP3/WAV/AAC+ player MP4/H.264/DivX/XviD player Voice memo/dial Predictive text inputHDMI port MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player MP4/H.264/WMV player Document viewer Photo viewer/editor Organizer Voice memo/dial Predictive text input
Battery
Stand-byUp to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G)Up to 204 h
Talk timeUp to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G)Up to 12 h 30 min
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1300 mAh batteryNon-removable Li-Ion 1785 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 260 EUR
SAR-0.70 W/kg (head)     0.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.86 W/kg (head)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -90.1dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB-
Camera Photo-
Loudspeaker Voice 72dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 82dB -

HTC Desire Z

  • Unique slide-out keyboard
  • Compact size
  • Simple Android experience
  • Durable build quality
  • Slow performance
  • Low-resolution display
  • Poor camera quality
  • Limited storage

Motorola DROID 4 XT894

  • Better performance than Desire Z
  • Slightly better display resolution
  • Front-facing camera
  • Improved battery life
  • Physical keyboard
  • Dated design
  • Still slow by modern standards
  • Limited storage
  • Camera quality is still poor

Display Comparison

Both phones feature relatively small displays by today's standards. The HTC Desire Z has a 3.2-inch HVGA display, while the DROID 4 boasts a 3.5-inch qHD display. The DROID 4's higher resolution provides a slightly sharper image, though both screens are adequate for basic tasks. Viewing angles and color reproduction are typical for their time.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on both devices is limited by their age. The HTC Desire Z has a single photo camera, while the DROID 4 also features a single photo camera and a front-facing camera. Expect grainy images and limited low-light performance from both. The DROID 4's slightly better processing might yield marginally better results in some scenarios.

Performance

This is where the DROID 4 shines. Its dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor significantly outperforms the Desire Z's 800 MHz Scorpion single-core CPU. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and the overall user experience feels more responsive on the DROID 4. The DROID 4's TI OMAP 4430 chipset also offers better graphics capabilities.

Battery Life

The Motorola DROID 4 generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and slightly larger battery capacity (around 1900 mAh vs. Desire Z's 1200 mAh). Expect a full day of moderate use from the DROID 4, while the Desire Z might require more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

The HTC Desire Z is for hardcore nostalgia enthusiasts who appreciate the physical keyboard and a simpler Android experience. The Motorola DROID 4 is for those seeking a slightly more capable retro device with better performance and a more robust build, still appreciating the physical keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. They won't receive software updates and app compatibility may be an issue. They are best suited for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing.
❓ Which phone has a better keyboard?
Both have decent physical keyboards, but the DROID 4's keyboard is generally considered slightly better due to its larger size and key spacing.