The T-Mobile HD2 and Apple iPhone 5 represent pivotal moments in smartphone history. The HD2 championed Windows Mobile, while the iPhone 5 solidified iOS's dominance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see how these devices stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 5 decisively wins this comparison. While the HD2 offered a unique Windows Mobile experience, the iPhone 5's superior performance, optimized iOS, and better overall ecosystem make it the clear victor. The HD2's age shows, despite its initial promise.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - GSM A1428 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - GSM A1428 |
| 4G bands | - | 4, 17 - GSM A1428 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | LTE 850 / 1800 / 2100 - GSM A1429 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, January. Released 2010, March | 2012, September 12. Released 2012, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 122 x 67 x 11 mm (4.80 x 2.64 x 0.43 in) | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 157 g (5.54 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~64.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 | Apple A6 (32 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, Sense UI | iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 10.3.4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included | No |
| Internal | 576MB RAM, 1GB ROM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | - | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 35mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; NaviPanel | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Pocket Office
HTC Peep, HTC Footprints
T-mobile services: MobiTV, BLOCKBUSTER, Barnes & Nobl, Gogo Inflight Internet
Transformers & Transformers 2 movies preloaded
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h | Up to 225 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Li-Po 1440 mAh, non-removable (5.45 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black/Slate, White/Silver |
| Models | - | A1428, A1429, A1442, iPhone5,1, iPhone5,2 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 340 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -76.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 51h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1320:1 (nominal) / 3.997:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 2229 |
T-Mobile HD2
- Unique Windows Mobile experience
- Expandable storage via microSD
- Physical keyboard (slide-out)
- Relatively compact design for its time
- Outdated operating system
- Slow performance
- Poor app ecosystem
- Subpar camera
- Limited software updates
Apple iPhone 5
- Smooth iOS experience
- Strong app ecosystem
- Good camera quality
- Better performance
- Sleek design
- More readily available accessories
- Non-expandable storage
- Older technology
- Battery life is adequate but not exceptional by modern standards
- Finding a good condition unit can be difficult
Display Comparison
The iPhone 5 boasts a superior display. While both have a nominal contrast ratio of 1320:1, the iPhone 5's sunlight readability (3.997:1) is notably better. The HD2's display, while decent for its time, lacks the iPhone 5's clarity and color accuracy. The iPhone 5's screen also has a higher pixel density.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 5's camera, while not groundbreaking by today's standards, was a substantial improvement over the HD2's. The iPhone 5 offered better image quality, color reproduction, and video recording capabilities. The HD2's camera was noticeably lacking in detail and dynamic range.
Performance
The iPhone 5's dual-core 1.3 GHz A6 chip significantly outperforms the HD2's single-core 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor. iOS is also more optimized for the A6, resulting in smoother multitasking and app performance. The HD2's Windows Mobile struggled with resource management.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 51 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under moderate usage. However, the iPhone 5's more efficient iOS and optimized hardware likely resulted in better real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the T-Mobile HD2? Primarily collectors or those nostalgic for Windows Mobile. Who should buy the Apple iPhone 5? Anyone seeking a reliable, classic smartphone experience, though finding one in good condition may be challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the T-Mobile HD2 still usable today?
While technically usable, the HD2's outdated software and limited app support make it challenging to use for modern tasks. It's best suited for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.
❓ What operating system did the T-Mobile HD2 run?
The HD2 initially ran Windows Mobile 6.5 and was later updated to Windows Phone 7.5.
❓ Why was the iPhone 5 so significant?
The iPhone 5 marked a shift to a taller 4-inch display, a faster processor (A6), and a thinner, lighter design, solidifying Apple's position as a smartphone leader.
