Nostalgia is a powerful force, and the resurgence of smaller, simpler phones is proof. Today, we're pitting two iconic devices from different eras against each other: the ultra-compact Palm PVG100 and the pioneering Motorola Milestone XT883. Can a modern mini-phone truly compete with a flagship from its time?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Palm PVG100 wins on performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 435. However, the Milestone boasts a larger screen and a more robust feature set for its era. Ultimately, the Palm is a pocketable powerhouse, while the Milestone is a historical landmark.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 66 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, October. Released 2018, November | 2011, June. Released 2011, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 96.6 x 50.6 x 7.4 mm (3.80 x 1.99 x 0.29 in) | 123.3 x 64.1 x 12.9 mm (4.85 x 2.52 x 0.51 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 62.5 g (2.22 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~445 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~275 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.3 inches, 30.0 cm2 (~61.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~55.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| | - | Touch sensitive controls |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz & 4x1.1 GHz) | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm) | TI OMAP 4430 |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 12 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | VGA |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Infrared Face ID, accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Quickoffice document editor
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 68 min | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 165 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 4 h 40 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 800 mAh, non-removable | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Titanium | Black |
| Models | PVG100, PVG100E | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) | - |
Palm Phone PVG100
- Extremely pocketable
- Faster performance
- Quick charging
- Modern software (potentially)
- Small screen
- Limited app ecosystem (potentially)
- May lack features of older flagships
Motorola Milestone XT883
- Larger screen
- Historical significance
- More robust feature set for its time (e.g., HDMI output)
- Classic design
- Slower performance
- Outdated software
- Shorter battery life
- Less efficient processor
Display Comparison
The Motorola Milestone takes the display crown with its 3.7-inch screen, offering a more immersive experience than the Palm's tiny 3.3-inch display. While the Palm's screen is perfectly adequate for its size, the Milestone's larger size allows for easier text reading and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Milestone's 5MP camera was respectable for its time, but the Palm PVG100 likely offers better image quality thanks to advancements in sensor technology and image processing. While neither phone is a photography powerhouse, the Palm likely holds a slight edge.
Performance
Here, the Palm PVG100 decisively wins. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset and Octa-core CPU significantly outperform the Milestone's Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Palm.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities are similar (around 1400mAh), the Palm's more efficient chipset and faster charging (50% in 31 minutes) give it a battery advantage. The Milestone's older processor is less efficient, leading to potentially shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The Palm PVG100 is ideal for those seeking a supremely pocketable phone for essential tasks and quick communication. The Motorola Milestone XT883 is for enthusiasts interested in experiencing a pivotal smartphone from the early Android days and appreciating its historical significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Palm PVG100 worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize portability and a modern, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the Palm PVG100 can be a fun and functional device. However, be aware of its limitations regarding app availability and screen size.
❓ What operating system did the Motorola Milestone run?
The Motorola Milestone XT883 originally shipped with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and was later updated to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
