The HTC Radar and HTC HD2 represent distinct eras of Windows Phone. The Radar, a late-generation Mango device, aimed for a sleek design, while the HD2, a powerhouse, offered unprecedented customization. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC HD2 edges out the Radar due to its superior hardware, broader customization options, and generally more robust feature set. While the Radar boasts a slightly better contrast ratio, the HD2's versatility and processing power make it the more compelling choice for retro enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 - for T-Mobile | HSDPA 850 / 2100 - Australian Version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, September. Released 2011, October | 2009, October. Released 2009, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 120.5 x 61.5 x 10.9 mm (4.74 x 2.42 x 0.43 in) | 120.5 x 67 x 11 mm (4.74 x 2.64 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~55.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-LCD | TFT, 65K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango | Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 448MB RAM, 512MB ROM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | SRS audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Bing Maps | GPS, A-GPS; NaviPanel |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Wi-Fi router |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | HTC Locations
MP3/eAAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Document viewer/editor
Facebook integration | MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Facebook and Twitter integration
YouTube client
Pocket Office
HTC Peep, HTC Footprints
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 12 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h (2G) / Up to 535 h (3G) | Up to 490 h (2G) / Up to 390 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 8 h 5 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1520 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Active White, Metal Silver | Black |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.63 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -74.7dB |
Noise -89.0dB / Crosstalk -87.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 34h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 797:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB |
HTC Radar
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good contrast ratio display
- Windows Phone Mango OS experience
- Limited hardware capabilities
- Basic camera
- Less customization options
- Older OS
HTC HD2
- Larger display
- More powerful hardware (S1 chipset)
- Greater customization options (ROM support)
- More RAM
- Generally better performance
- Larger size
- Older Windows Mobile/Phone OS
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
The HTC Radar features a 3.2-inch display with a respectable 797:1 contrast ratio, offering decent image quality for its time. The HD2 has a 4.3-inch display, providing a larger viewing area. While the Radar's contrast is slightly better on paper, the HD2's size advantage is significant for media consumption and general use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras primarily for photo capture. The HD2's camera, while basic by today's standards, was generally considered slightly better due to its hardware and processing capabilities. Neither phone excels in video recording.
Performance
Both devices are powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets (S1 vs S2). However, the HD2's QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 chipset generally offered slightly better performance and responsiveness, especially when multitasking. The HD2 also benefited from more RAM, contributing to smoother operation.
Battery Life
The HTC Radar boasts an endurance rating of 34 hours, suggesting a slightly better battery life than the HD2. However, real-world usage would likely vary depending on usage patterns and the age of the battery in each device.
Buying Guide
The HTC Radar is for those specifically interested in experiencing the Windows Phone Mango OS in a compact form factor. The HTC HD2 is ideal for users who value customization, power, and a wider range of features, even with an older operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I update the HTC HD2 to a newer version of Windows Phone?
Officially, no. However, custom ROMs are available that allow you to run newer versions of Windows Phone or even Android, but this requires technical expertise and carries risks.
❓ Is the HTC Radar worth buying today?
It's a niche purchase. If you're specifically interested in experiencing Windows Phone Mango in a compact form, it could be interesting. Otherwise, the HD2 offers a more compelling retro experience.
