Palm, a name synonymous with early mobile computing, has seen a resurgence with both the PVG100 and the Pre 2. These phones represent different eras of Palm's innovation, offering unique appeals to those seeking a compact and nostalgic experience. But which Palm truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Palm PVG100 wins overall due to its significantly faster processor, better charging speed, and more modern features. While the Pre 2's wireless charging and classic design are appealing, the PVG100 offers a more usable and performant experience for today's standards.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 66 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, October. Released 2018, November | 2010, October. Released 2010, November |
| 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) | 100.7 x 59.6 x 16.9 mm (3.96 x 2.35 x 0.67 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 62.5 g (2.22 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~445 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~186 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.3 inches, 30.0 cm2 (~61.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.1 inches, 28.6 cm2 (~47.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.4 GHz & 4x1.1 GHz) | 1.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | - |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | HP webOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 12 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| 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 | - |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Infrared Face ID, accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 68 min | Wireless |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 350 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 800 mAh, non-removable | Removable Li-Ion battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Titanium | Black |
| Models | PVG100, PVG100E | - |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) | - |
Palm Phone PVG100
- Faster Processor
- Better Display
- Faster Charging
- More Modern Features
- Limited App Ecosystem
- No Front-Facing Camera
Palm Pre 2
- Classic Palm Design
- Wireless Charging
- Compact Size
- Slow Performance
- Low-Resolution Display
- Outdated Software
Display Comparison
The PVG100 boasts a 3.3-inch LCD display with a 720x1280 resolution, offering a sharper and more vibrant visual experience compared to the Pre 2's smaller, lower-resolution display. The Pre 2's screen, while adequate for its time, feels dated by today's standards.
Camera Comparison
The PVG100 features an 8MP rear camera, capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting. The Pre 2's camera is significantly less impressive, offering lower resolution and image quality. Both lack front-facing cameras.
Performance
Here's where the PVG100 shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset with an Octa-core CPU provides a substantial performance boost over the Pre 2's single-core 1.0 GHz processor. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the PVG100.
Battery Life
The PVG100's battery charging is notably faster, reaching 50% in 31 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes. While the Pre 2 offers wireless charging, its battery capacity and overall longevity are likely lower than the PVG100's.
Buying Guide
The Palm PVG100 is for those who want a pocketable phone with decent performance for basic tasks and appreciate a modern take on a compact design. The Palm Pre 2 is for die-hard Palm enthusiasts and collectors who prioritize the classic design and wireless charging, accepting its limitations in performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are apps available for both phones?
The Palm PVG100 runs on Android, offering access to the Google Play Store. The Palm Pre 2 uses webOS, which has a limited app selection and is largely unsupported.
❓ Which phone is easier to use in 2024?
The Palm PVG100 is significantly easier to use due to its modern Android operating system and wider app compatibility.
