Toshiba TG01 vs HTC HD2: Which Early Android Pioneer Reigns Supreme?

The Toshiba TG01 and HTC HD2 represent a fascinating era in smartphone history – the dawn of Android. Both devices, released in the late 2000s, offered a glimpse into the future of mobile computing. But which of these relics holds up best today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The HTC HD2 edges out the Toshiba TG01 due to its slightly more robust build quality and broader community support for custom ROMs. While both offer a nostalgic Android experience, the HD2's hardware and modding potential give it a slight advantage for enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names	Toshiba TG01	HTC HD2

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	-	HSDPA 850 / 2100 - Australian Version

Launch
Announced	2009, January. Released 2009, June	2009, October. Released 2009, November
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	130 x 70 x 9.9 mm (5.12 x 2.76 x 0.39 in)	120.5 x 67 x 11 mm (4.74 x 2.64 x 0.43 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	129 g (4.55 oz)	157 g (5.54 oz)

Display
Resolution	480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~228 ppi density)	480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density)
Size	4.1 inches, 47.8 cm2 (~52.6% screen-to-body ratio)	4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors (65K effective)	TFT, 65K colors
	3D UI Shake control	-

Platform
CPU	1.0 GHz Scorpion	1.0 GHz Scorpion
Chipset	Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1	Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1
GPU	Adreno 200	Adreno 200
OS	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, Sense UI

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	256MB RAM, 512MB ROM	448MB RAM, 512MB ROM

Main Camera
Features	-	Dual-LED flash
Single	3.15 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	480p@30fps

Selfie camera
	No	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0, A2DP	2.1, A2DP
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS; NaviPanel
Radio	No	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB	microUSB
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Wi-Fi router

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (IE)	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Sensors	Accelerometer	Accelerometer, proximity, compass
	Pocket Office MP3/eAAC+/WMA player MP4/H.264/WMV player Facebook and YouTube apps Photo editor Voice memo/dial Organizer Predictive text input	MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player MP4/WMV/H.264 player Facebook and Twitter integration YouTube client Pocket Office HTC Peep, HTC Footprints Voice memo Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	-	Up to 12 h
Stand-by	Up to 276 h (2G) / Up to 220 h (3G)	Up to 490 h (2G) / Up to 390 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)	Up to 6 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black
Price	About 500 EUR	About 140 EUR
SAR	0.37 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body)	0.63 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -89.0dB / Crosstalk -87.5dB
Camera	-	Photo
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 75dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB

Toshiba TG01

Relatively compact size
Unique design
Nostalgic Android experience

Poor camera quality
Limited app compatibility
Small screen
Battery life concerns

HTC HD2

Larger screen
AMOLED display
Stronger community support for custom ROMs
Potentially better performance with custom ROMs

Outdated hardware
Poor camera quality
Limited app compatibility
Battery life concerns

Display Comparison

Both devices feature relatively small displays by today's standards. The Toshiba TG01 has a 3.2-inch LCD screen, while the HTC HD2 boasts a 4.3-inch AMOLED display. The AMOLED screen on the HD2 offers noticeably better contrast and color reproduction, making it the clear winner in this category. Resolution is similar, but the larger size of the HD2's screen makes text and images appear slightly less cramped.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on both devices is rudimentary by today's standards. Both feature basic cameras, likely around 3.2MP. Image quality is poor in low light, and video recording capabilities are limited. Neither phone is a viable option for serious photography.

Performance

Both phones are powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 chipset. Performance will be sluggish by modern standards, but the HD2's slightly more efficient hardware and potential for custom ROM optimization might offer a marginally smoother experience. Expect significant lag when multitasking or running demanding apps.

Battery Life

The HTC HD2 generally has a slightly larger battery capacity (1200 mAh) compared to the Toshiba TG01 (1500 mAh, though this is often reported inaccurately). However, battery life will be heavily impacted by the age of the battery and usage patterns. Expect a few hours of moderate use at best.

Buying Guide

The Toshiba TG01 is for collectors specifically seeking this model. The HTC HD2 is for retro tech enthusiasts interested in tinkering with custom ROMs and experiencing early Android development. Neither is recommended for primary daily use due to age and limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?

Yes, but with significant limitations. They can connect to Wi-Fi and run older Android apps, but don't expect modern app compatibility or performance. They are best suited for retro tech enthusiasts or collectors.

❓ Can I install a newer version of Android on these devices?

The HTC HD2 has a more active community and more custom ROMs available, making it possible to install newer Android versions (though with varying degrees of success). The Toshiba TG01 has limited custom ROM support.