The T-Mobile G2 and HTC Desire Z were popular Android phones from a bygone era, offering a taste of early Android experiences. Both devices share a similar chipset and processor, but subtle differences in design and features set them apart. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC Desire Z edges out the T-Mobile G2 due to its slightly more refined design and slide-out keyboard. While both offer a similar core experience, the Desire Z's hardware feels a touch more premium and practical for those who prefer physical keys. Both are dated, but the Desire Z has a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/2 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - North America |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, September. Released 2010, October | 2010, September. Released 2010, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119.4 x 61 x 15.2 mm (4.70 x 2.40 x 0.60 in) | 119 x 60.4 x 14.2 mm (4.69 x 2.38 x 0.56 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~53.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | S-LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 800 MHz Scorpion | 800 MHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7230 | Qualcomm MSM7230 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo) | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 1.5GB; 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Nо | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input (Swype) | Dedicated search key
MP3/WAV/AAC+ player
MP4/H.264/DivX/XviD player
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black |
| Price | About 420 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| 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
|
T-Mobile G2
- Clean Android experience (for its time)
- Slightly better battery life
- Compact size
- Outdated hardware
- Poor camera quality
- Small screen
HTC Desire Z
- Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
- More robust build quality
- Slightly better RAM management
- Outdated hardware
- Poor camera quality
- Smaller screen than some contemporaries
Display Comparison
Both the T-Mobile G2 and HTC Desire Z feature 3.2-inch HVGA (320x480) LCD displays. The screens are relatively small by modern standards and offer limited brightness and color accuracy. There's no clear winner here; both provide a basic viewing experience suitable for the time.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 3.2MP cameras. Image quality is poor by today's standards, with limited detail and poor low-light performance. Don't expect high-quality photos from either device. The Desire Z's camera software might offer slightly more control, but the hardware limitations are the primary factor.
Performance
Powered by the same 800 MHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm MSM7230 chipset, performance is largely comparable. Expect sluggishness when multitasking or running demanding apps. Both phones struggle with modern apps and web browsing. The Desire Z's slightly better RAM management might offer a marginal performance advantage.
Battery Life
The T-Mobile G2 typically has a slightly larger battery (1300 mAh) compared to the HTC Desire Z (1200 mAh). This translates to marginally better battery life on the G2, potentially offering a few extra hours of usage. However, both phones will require frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile G2 might appeal to those seeking a purely software-focused Android experience from the early days. The HTC Desire Z is a better choice for users who value a physical keyboard for texting and prefer a more robust build quality. Neither is recommended for primary use in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, these phones are severely outdated. They lack modern features, have poor performance, and are not compatible with current apps and network technologies. They are best suited for nostalgic purposes or as retro projects.
❓ Which phone is better for texting?
The HTC Desire Z is the clear winner for texting due to its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The T-Mobile G2 relies on an on-screen keyboard, which is less efficient.
