Remember the early days of 4G? The T-Mobile myTouch 4G and HTC MAX 4G were key players, offering a taste of faster mobile internet. But how do these older devices stack up against each other? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The T-Mobile myTouch 4G clearly wins due to its significantly faster processor and more modern chipset. While both are dated, the myTouch 4G offers a noticeably smoother experience, making it the preferable choice for anyone considering either device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, October. Released 2010, November | 2008, November. Released 2009 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 121.9 x 61 x 10.2 mm (4.80 x 2.40 x 0.40 in) | 113.5 x 63.1 x 13.9 mm (4.47 x 2.48 x 0.55 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 153.1 g (5.40 oz) | 151 g (5.33 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~55.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~57.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colors |
| | - | TouchFLO 3D finger swipe navigation
Handwriting recognition |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Scorpion | 400 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm ESM7206A |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 130 |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread), Sense UI | Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSD (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 768MB RAM | 8GB 288MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | CIF@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA videocall camera | VGA videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | miniUSB 2.0 | miniUSB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, WiMAX 802.16 e |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | Yota Mobile WiMAX 2.5-2.7 GHz
Yota TV
MP3/MP4 player
Pocket Office
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 552 h (2G) / Up to 432 h (3G) | Up to 350 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 10 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 7 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | STK-LX1 | - |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -85.2dB / Crosstalk -75.0dB |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 80dB / Ring 66dB |
T-Mobile myTouch 4G
- Faster Processor
- Better Camera
- More Modern Chipset
- 4G Connectivity
- Outdated Software
- Small Screen
- Limited Storage
- Older Design
HTC MAX 4G
- Affordable (if found used)
- Simple Interface
- Compact Size
- Slow Processor
- Low-Resolution Screen
- Basic Camera
- Outdated Software
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays by today's standards. The myTouch 4G had a 3.6-inch screen, while the HTC MAX 4G had a 3.2-inch screen. Resolution was modest on both, making them suitable for basic tasks but not ideal for media consumption. The myTouch 4G likely had slightly better color reproduction due to its more modern display technology.
Camera Comparison
The myTouch 4G boasted a 5MP camera, while the HTC MAX 4G had a 3.2MP camera. Image quality on the myTouch 4G would be noticeably better, with more detail and potentially better low-light performance. Both cameras were limited by the technology of the time.
Performance
This is where the myTouch 4G shines. Its 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor and Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset provide a substantial performance advantage over the HTC MAX 4G's 400 MHz ARM 11 processor and ESM7206A chipset. Expect noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the myTouch 4G.
Battery Life
Battery capacity was around 1500mAh for the myTouch 4G and 1200mAh for the HTC MAX 4G. Given the myTouch 4G's more powerful processor, battery life might be comparable or slightly better, depending on usage. Both would require daily charging.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile myTouch 4G is for those seeking a basic, functional Android experience with 4G connectivity, primarily for nostalgia or very light usage. The HTC MAX 4G is best suited for users needing a simple, affordable phone for calls and texts, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, both phones lack modern software updates and may not be compatible with current network technologies. 4G service may be limited depending on carrier upgrades.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely only find these phones on the used market, such as eBay or Swappa. Be sure to check the condition and carrier compatibility before purchasing.
