Remember the dawn of Android? The T-Mobile myTouch series was a pioneer, bringing the Android experience to a wider audience. Today, we're revisiting two key models: the 3G Slide and the 4G. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other, even by today's standards.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The T-Mobile myTouch 4G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon processor and 4G connectivity offer a significantly faster and more modern experience compared to the 3G Slide's slower CPU. While the Slide's sliding keyboard is charming, the 4G's overall performance makes it the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, April. Released 2010, June | 2010, October. Released 2010, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 15 mm (4.49 x 2.28 x 0.59 in) | 121.9 x 61 x 10.2 mm (4.80 x 2.40 x 0.40 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 167 (5.89 oz) | 153.1 g (5.40 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.4 inches, 34.4 cm2 (~52.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~55.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 130 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair), upgradable to 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), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 512MB RAM, 512MB | 4GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | - | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | miniUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 286 h | Up to 552 h (2G) / Up to 432 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 10 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Red | Black |
| Models | - | STK-LX1 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | - |
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide
- Unique sliding keyboard
- Compact size
- Nostalgic Android experience
- Slow performance
- Outdated hardware
- Limited app compatibility
- Low resolution display
T-Mobile myTouch 4G
- Faster processor
- 4G connectivity
- Slightly better camera
- Improved battery life (potentially)
- Still outdated hardware
- Limited app compatibility
- Small screen by modern standards
- Bulky design compared to modern phones
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time, around 3.2-3.4 inches. The myTouch 4G likely had slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to advancements in display technology, but the difference wouldn't be dramatic. Resolution was similar, around HVGA (320x480).
Camera Comparison
The myTouch 4G generally had a slightly better camera, often featuring a 5MP sensor compared to the 3G Slide's 3.2MP. Image quality was still limited by the technology of the time, but the 4G's camera likely produced slightly more detailed and vibrant photos. Both lacked flash.
Performance
This is where the myTouch 4G shines. The 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor in the Snapdragon S2 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the 600 MHz ARM 11 in the 3G Slide. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the 4G.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common concern for early Android phones. The myTouch 4G, with its more efficient Snapdragon chipset, likely offered slightly better battery life than the 3G Slide, though both would require daily charging with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide is for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic Android experience. The myTouch 4G is for anyone wanting a slightly more capable device from that era, though both are largely obsolete for modern use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
Both phones initially launched with Android 1.6 Donut and 2.1 Eclair respectively. Updates were limited, and they didn't receive later Android versions.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically possible, using these phones in 2024 is highly impractical. App compatibility is severely limited, and they lack modern features and security updates.
