The T-Mobile myTouch series was a significant player in the early Android landscape. The myTouch 2 and myTouch Q 2, while sharing a core chipset, offered distinct experiences. This review dives deep into their differences to help you understand which phone was the better choice back in the day (and for collectors today).
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same Snapdragon S2 chipset and CPU, resulting in similar performance. The myTouch Q 2's QWERTY keyboard is its defining feature, appealing to those who prioritize typing. The myTouch 2 offered a slightly cleaner software experience and potentially better availability. It's a draw, depending on your keyboard preference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, August. Released 2012, August | 2012, August. Released 2012, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 124.8 x 63.9 x 14.3 mm (4.91 x 2.52 x 0.56 in) | 114 x 62 x 10 mm (4.49 x 2.44 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~64.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.4 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 | Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | T-Mobile TV
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | T-Mobile TV
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 185 h | Up to 186 h |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h | Up to 6 h 10 |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Dark red |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 290 EUR |
T-Mobile myTouch Q 2
- Excellent QWERTY keyboard for fast typing
- Compact and pocketable
- Dedicated physical buttons
- Screen often obscured by keyboard
- Mediocre camera
- Limited storage
- Battery life could be better
T-Mobile myTouch 2
- Clean Android experience (relatively)
- Slightly better potential for software updates
- More screen real estate when keyboard isn't in use
- Mediocre camera
- Limited storage
- Battery life could be better
- Lacks a physical keyboard
Display Comparison
Both the myTouch Q 2 and myTouch 2 featured a 3.2-inch HVGA (320x480) touchscreen display. While the resolution was standard for the time, the myTouch 2's screen might have had slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to minor hardware variations, though this is difficult to definitively confirm. The Q 2's screen was often obscured by the keyboard when in use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured a 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera. Image quality was generally mediocre, typical of smartphone cameras in 2009. Low-light performance was poor on both. The myTouch 2 might have had slightly better software processing, leading to marginally better photos in some situations, but the difference was minimal.
Performance
Performance is virtually identical. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU. Expect similar app loading times, web browsing speeds, and overall responsiveness. Don't expect blazing-fast performance by today's standards, but they were adequate for their time.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common complaint for both devices. Expect around 6-8 hours of moderate use. The myTouch 2, lacking the keyboard's power draw, *might* have offered slightly better battery life, but the difference would be negligible.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile myTouch Q 2 is ideal for users who heavily rely on text messaging and prefer a physical QWERTY keyboard for faster typing. The T-Mobile myTouch 2 is a better choice for those who prefer a touchscreen-only experience and a potentially more streamlined Android interface, though differences were minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both the myTouch Q 2 and myTouch 2 initially shipped with Android 1.6 Donut. They received updates to Android 2.1 Eclair.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are severely outdated. App compatibility is limited, and security updates are long gone. They are primarily of interest to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.
