Remember the days of slide-out keyboards and physical buttons? The HTC Desire Z and T-Mobile Sidekick 4G represent a fascinating era in mobile technology. Both phones hold a special place in many users' hearts, but how do they stack up against each other today? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G edges out the Desire Z thanks to its faster processor and more modern chipset. While the Desire Z boasts a unique sliding design, the Sidekick 4G offers a smoother, more responsive experience overall, making it the slightly better choice for today's standards.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - North America | HSDPA 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, September. Released 2010, November | 2011, March. Released 2011, April 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 60.4 x 14.2 mm (4.69 x 2.38 x 0.56 in) | 127 x 61 x 15 mm (5.0 x 2.40 x 0.59 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 34.9 cm2 (~45.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 800 MHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7230 | Hummingbird |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), Sense UI | Android 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 1.5GB; 512MB RAM | 1GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Nо |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Dedicated search key
MP3/WAV/AAC+ player
MP4/H.264/DivX/XviD player
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | T-Mobile TV
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
ThinkFree Office document editor , PDF viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | Up to 456 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Matte black, Pearl magenta |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.86 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 sliding keyboard design
- Compact and pocketable
- Physical buttons offer tactile feedback
- Relatively durable build
- Slow performance
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Outdated software
T-Mobile Sidekick 4G
- Faster processor and chipset
- Iconic Sidekick design
- Slightly better display
- More responsive user experience
- Still limited by older technology
- Low-resolution display
- Poor camera quality
- Limited app availability
Display Comparison
The HTC Desire Z features a 3.2-inch HVGA display, while the Sidekick 4G has a 3.4-inch display. Both are relatively low resolution by today's standards, but the Sidekick 4G's slightly larger size and potentially better color reproduction give it a minor advantage. Viewing angles and brightness are both limited on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer basic camera capabilities. The Desire Z has a 3.2MP camera, while the Sidekick 4G has a 3MP camera. Image quality is generally poor on both, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise. Don't expect to take stunning photos with either device.
Performance
Here's where the Sidekick 4G shines. Its 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and Hummingbird chipset significantly outperform the Desire Z's 800 MHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM7230. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Sidekick 4G. The Desire Z can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Battery life was a significant factor in older phones. The Sidekick 4G likely offered slightly better battery life due to its more efficient chipset, but both would require daily charging with moderate use. Exact battery capacities are difficult to confirm definitively.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire Z is for those who appreciate a physical keyboard and a unique, tactile design. It's a great conversation starter and a fun piece of tech history. The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is for those seeking a slightly more capable device with a faster processor and a more modern (for its time) user experience, still appreciating the iconic Sidekick form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable with modern carriers?
No, these phones are very outdated and will not work on modern 4G or 5G networks. They require older 3G networks, which are being phased out.
❓ Can I find apps for these phones?
App availability is extremely limited. Both phones run older operating systems (Android for Desire Z, proprietary OS for Sidekick 4G) with very little app support.
