The smartphone landscape has changed dramatically since the HTC Desire HD's heyday. Today, we pit this classic against the modern TCL 405 to see which offers the better experience for budget-conscious buyers. Can the Desire HD's legacy hold up against a contemporary contender?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 405 is the clear winner. While the HTC Desire HD holds nostalgic appeal, the TCL 405 boasts a significantly more powerful processor, better battery life, and a more modern feature set, making it the superior choice for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps or HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps (carrier dependent) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - North America |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 02 | 2010, September. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 02 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 123 x 68 x 11.8 mm (4.84 x 2.68 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~62.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), TCL UI | Android 2.2 (Froyo), 2.3 (Gingerbread), not upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Sense UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 1.5GB; 768MB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Dedicated search key
MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA9 player
DivX/Xvid/MP4/H.264/WMV9/player
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 490 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 9 h 15 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lavender Purple, Space Dark | Black, Brown |
| Models | T506D | - |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
TCL 405
- More powerful processor
- Better battery life
- Modern display
- Improved camera
- More storage options (likely)
- 10W charging is slow
- Entry-level chipset may struggle with demanding games
HTC Desire HD
- Nostalgic appeal
- Compact size (potentially)
- Outdated processor
- Poor battery life
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
The TCL 405 likely features a more modern display technology (likely IPS LCD) with better color accuracy and viewing angles compared to the HTC Desire HD's older LCD screen. The TCL 405 probably also has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper visuals. The Desire HD's screen, while decent for its time, simply can't compete.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are described as having a 'photo' camera, the TCL 405 will almost certainly have a higher resolution sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. Expect better image quality, especially in low light, from the TCL 405. The Desire HD's camera is a relic of a simpler time.
Performance
Here's where the TCL 405 truly shines. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, while entry-level, is vastly more powerful than the HTC Desire HD's Snapdragon S2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the TCL 405. The Desire HD will struggle with modern apps and demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The TCL 405 likely has a larger battery capacity and more efficient power management than the HTC Desire HD. This translates to longer battery life on a single charge. The Desire HD's battery life was adequate for its time, but it will be significantly shorter compared to the TCL 405.
Buying Guide
The TCL 405 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The HTC Desire HD might appeal to collectors or those seeking a retro mobile experience, but its limitations are significant for modern usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC Desire HD still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, the HTC Desire HD's outdated hardware and software make it a frustrating experience for modern smartphone use. App compatibility and performance will be major issues.
❓ What is the TCL 405's biggest advantage over the HTC Desire HD?
The TCL 405's significantly more powerful processor and longer battery life are its biggest advantages. It offers a much more modern and usable smartphone experience.
