The Motorola SPICE Key and HTC Aria represent a bygone era of Android – a time when Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S1 was a mainstream processor. While both devices are now largely historical artifacts, comparing them offers insight into the evolution of mobile technology and highlights the trade-offs present in early smartphone design. This comparison will focus on the nuances of these two devices, given their shared core hardware.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the hypothetical user encountering these devices today, the HTC Aria likely offers a slightly better experience due to its inclusion of a camera, even if basic. Both phones are limited by the aging Snapdragon S1, but the Aria’s camera provides a functionality the SPICE Key lacks, making it marginally more useful.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, July. Released 2011, Q3 | 2010, June. Released 2010, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.5 x 58 x 13.5 mm (4.59 x 2.28 x 0.53 in) | 103.8 x 57.7 x 11.7 mm (4.09 x 2.27 x 0.46 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 115 g (4.06 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~35.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Moto Switch UI
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Android 2.1 (Eclair), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 512MB 256MB RAM | 512MB 384MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@24fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | MP3/AAC+/WAV player
MP4/H.264 player
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h (3G) | Up to 372 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 16 min (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 6 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | 1.54 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -84.5dB / Crosstalk -85.4dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 83dB
|
Motorola SPICE Key
- Potentially simpler software experience due to lack of camera drivers.
- May be more durable due to fewer components.
- Collector's item for early Android enthusiasts.
- Lacks a camera, limiting functionality.
- Performance severely limited by the aging Snapdragon S1.
- Poor battery life expected.
HTC Aria
- Includes a camera for basic photography.
- Offers a slightly more versatile user experience.
- Collector's item for early Android enthusiasts.
- Performance severely limited by the aging Snapdragon S1.
- Poor battery life expected.
- Camera quality will be low by modern standards.
Display Comparison
Both the Motorola SPICE Key and HTC Aria likely featured resistive touchscreen displays, common for the era. Specific details regarding screen size, resolution, and panel technology are unavailable, but given the target market, both would have prioritized cost-effectiveness over high-end display features. Expect limited viewing angles and lower brightness compared to modern smartphones. The absence of any display specifications in the provided data suggests neither device was marketed on its screen quality.
Camera Comparison
The HTC Aria distinguishes itself with the inclusion of a camera, described simply as 'Photo'. The Motorola SPICE Key lacks any camera functionality. While the Aria’s camera specifications are not detailed, it likely features a low-resolution sensor (likely 3.2MP or 5MP) and fixed focus. Image quality will be poor by modern standards, but it provides a basic photographic capability absent in the SPICE Key. The lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or advanced image processing features is expected.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 chipset, featuring a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU. This processor was adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing in its time, but it will struggle significantly with modern applications. The shared chipset means performance will be virtually identical between the two devices. The ARM 11 architecture is inherently less efficient than modern ARM Cortex designs, resulting in limited multi-tasking capabilities and potential slowdowns even with minimal app usage. Thermal management will likely be passive, relying on the device’s chassis to dissipate heat.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for either device. Given the power efficiency limitations of the Snapdragon S1 and the resistive touchscreen technology, battery life would have been a significant concern. Expect standby times of less than a day and limited talk time. Charging would have been via micro-USB, with charging speeds significantly slower than modern standards. The absence of fast charging technology is a given.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola SPICE Key if you are a collector of early Android devices and prioritize a potentially simpler software experience. Buy the HTC Aria if you want a device with basic photographic capabilities, even if the image quality will be limited by the sensor and processor. Neither phone is suitable for modern daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will either of these phones work with modern 4G/5G networks?
No. The Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 only supports 2G and 3G networks. It lacks the necessary hardware and software to connect to modern 4G or 5G networks, rendering them unusable for data connectivity in most regions.
❓ Can I install modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook on either of these phones?
It is highly unlikely. Modern apps require newer versions of Android and more powerful processors than the Snapdragon S1 can provide. Even if you could sideload an older version of the app, it would likely be unstable and perform poorly, if it runs at all.
❓ What kind of storage does the HTC Aria have, and can it be expanded?
Storage details are not provided. However, phones of this era typically had limited internal storage (likely 256MB or 512MB) and often included a microSD card slot for expansion. The Aria likely has a microSD card slot, but the maximum supported capacity would be limited.
