blogged by GmyDotCom
HTC and Apple have had some major launches this year, with HTC springing Android into life even more than last year. Now HTC has launched the HTC Desire HD, a powerful device with a massive screen.
Screen
The biggest selling point of the HTC Desire HD is that massive, stunning screen. At 4.3-inches and 480x800 WVGA resolution, it beats most other smartphones (we're talking smartphones, not tablets) and it's super bright and crisp too. This makes browsing a stunning experience coupled with HTC's browser.
The iPhone 4 is smaller than the HTC Desire HD's at 3.5 inches and this does make a big difference. The resolution may be higher resolution at 640x960 pixels and Apple calls this its Retina Display. Apparently it displays more pixels than the eye can see, which is a little pointless in our opinion. You'll struggle to see pixels in WVGA resolution too.
The only disadvantage of the HTC Desire HD's large screen is that it means the handset itself is massive. If you've ever used the HTC HD2, you'll know what we mean.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
OS
The iOS4.1 debate vs Android 2.2 has been going on ever since both platforms were launched, and much of the argument is down to who prefers what.
A number of new additions have come along with iOS4.1, including Apple's community gaming platform Game Center. iOS4.1 also supports a number of other Apple-related services including iTunes Ping and TV rentals.
Both Android and iOS4.1 have many similar features, including folders, multitasking (although iOS's isn't as true as Android's), Exchange email support, both with unified inboxes and the ability to change your homescreen wallpapers. Both updates also offer a much faster operating speed too.
But the biggest difference between the HTC Desire HD and iPhone 4? The HTC Desire HD features Flash 10 for a much better browsing experience.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Applications
The iPhone's App Store has always been the leader of the pack and it's not surprising when you consider there are more than 250,000 applications on offer.
The Android Market may feature fewer applications, with more than 80,000 applications available. However, Distimo carried out a report in July 2010 that showed the Android Market has the highest percentage of free apps, with more than 57 percent on offer for absolutely nothing. This is double the amount of free apps available on Apple's App Store.
This doesn't mean they're the top quality of course though. For example, although gaming is improving on Android, it's still not as advanced as on the iPhone.
Winner: Apple iPhone 4
Processor
Both the HTC Desire HD and iPhone 4 feature 1GHz processors. The iPhone 4's is the Apple A4 processor, while the HTC Desire HD takes the well-known and respected Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8255 1GHz processor.
Both are super-fast, but as seen on the HTC Desire, the Desire HD's processor handles everything a whole lot better. We still find that during gaming, the iPhone 4 can get a little jerky at times and this is disappointing, especially when playing a game like Real Racing where smoothness is key.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Sound and vision
Both the iPhone 4 and HTC Desire HD feature a whole load of extra features and the star of the HTC Desire HD's show is probably its Dolby Surround Sound and Dolby Mobile integration that allow you to watch movies in crystal clear quality with stunning sound to boot.
The iPhone 4's speakers are pretty impressive, but as Apple is the music master, you would expect something special. Gone is the tinny mobile speaker music and in come the punchy tunes from Apple.
The HTC Desire HD also features DLNA, allowing you to share your media with your DLNA-enabled entertainment system, whether that's your PC, NAS or speakers. Many phones are offering this now and it's pleasing to see HTC is embracing the technology.
The addition of Dolby pushes the Desire HD in front and with the ultimate mobile cinematic experience on that massive screen, it's a double thumbs up from us.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Web services
Both the iPhone and the HTC Desire HD feature their own mobile cloud backup, location and restore services.
We've gone more in depth in our comparison, but the Desire HD wins here because the service is free in comparison to MobileMe, plus offers a better suite of services without having to download extra applications as you have to on the iPhone 4.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Camera
The HTC Desire HD features an impressive 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and autofocus - exactly as you'd expect from a super-powerful smartphone. There's also a whole host of fun modes for you to play with to add a little pizzazz.
The Apple iPhone 4 features a 5-megapixel camera with flash and tap to focus. The iOS4.1 update brings HDR to the table, too and although it's slow and doesn't work as effectively as we'd like, it does offer a slight improvement to photos. We also find the camera takes photos a little too quickly, resulting in blurry pictures. Theoretically, this shouldn't be an issue but in practice it is.
The Desire HD's camera wins this one - it takes top shots and with the added extra of a dual flash and boost of megapixels, you can't go far wrong.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Tethering
Tethering comes as standard on the HTC Desire HD and the iPhone 4 and allows you to use your mobile network to connect to the internet on your computer, just by plugging it in via USB.
However, Apple (or rather the networks offering the iPhone 4) have put restrictions on iPhone tethering. Tethering on the iPhone costs between £5-10, but on HTC devices, it's free!
In addition to free tethering, you can also turn Android 2.2 devices such as the HTC Desire HD into mobile hotspots, making it even better than the iPhone 4.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
eBooks
Apple's iBooks first appeared on the iPad and now it has made the transition to the iPhone with iOS4. It allows you to download 'tens of thousands of books' from the iBooks store and read them at your own pleasure. Books cost between nothing and well, as much as a book would cost (we found many priced at £14.99 and above), although there is a very good selection.
The HTC Desire HD features ebooks through the Koboä eBook store. It allows you to make notes and annotations around the books. You can also add bookmarks as you can with iBooks.
Although we don't know how many books will be available to view on the HTC Desire HD, the large screen of the device coupled with the annotation functionality ensures HTC wins this one.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Pricing
Now that the HTC Desire HD's pricing has started to filter out, it's once again obvious that any phone is cheaper than the iPhone 4. T-Mobile has announced the Desire HD as free on a £40 per month contract. however, this is just rumour and at the launch, it was said that the device wouldn't be available for more than £35 a month. We truly hope so.
The iPhone 4 is only available for free on a £45 per month tariff, although the norm is around £60 per month. Sure, the handset may be free, but you'll pay for than over the 24-month period.
Play has revealed its SIM free price of the Desire HD as £470, although Play has been wrong before. Sure, you may not get the same capacious storage capabilities, but paying £20 extra for a much larger screen has us sold already.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Verdict:
The iPhone 4 is certainly the best iPhone to date, but this doesn't mean it's the best phone ever (although I'm sure many will disagree).
However, The HTC Desire HD features a larger screen, impressive sound and video quality thanks to Dolby integration, a better camera and a more competitive price. We're very much looking forward to spending more quality time with the HTC Desire HD.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
The biggest selling point of the HTC Desire HD is that massive, stunning screen. At 4.3-inches and 480x800 WVGA resolution, it beats most other smartphones (we're talking smartphones, not tablets) and it's super bright and crisp too. This makes browsing a stunning experience coupled with HTC's browser.
The iPhone 4 is smaller than the HTC Desire HD's at 3.5 inches and this does make a big difference. The resolution may be higher resolution at 640x960 pixels and Apple calls this its Retina Display. Apparently it displays more pixels than the eye can see, which is a little pointless in our opinion. You'll struggle to see pixels in WVGA resolution too.
The only disadvantage of the HTC Desire HD's large screen is that it means the handset itself is massive. If you've ever used the HTC HD2, you'll know what we mean.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
OS
The iOS4.1 debate vs Android 2.2 has been going on ever since both platforms were launched, and much of the argument is down to who prefers what.
A number of new additions have come along with iOS4.1, including Apple's community gaming platform Game Center. iOS4.1 also supports a number of other Apple-related services including iTunes Ping and TV rentals.
Both Android and iOS4.1 have many similar features, including folders, multitasking (although iOS's isn't as true as Android's), Exchange email support, both with unified inboxes and the ability to change your homescreen wallpapers. Both updates also offer a much faster operating speed too.
But the biggest difference between the HTC Desire HD and iPhone 4? The HTC Desire HD features Flash 10 for a much better browsing experience.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Applications
The iPhone's App Store has always been the leader of the pack and it's not surprising when you consider there are more than 250,000 applications on offer.
The Android Market may feature fewer applications, with more than 80,000 applications available. However, Distimo carried out a report in July 2010 that showed the Android Market has the highest percentage of free apps, with more than 57 percent on offer for absolutely nothing. This is double the amount of free apps available on Apple's App Store.
This doesn't mean they're the top quality of course though. For example, although gaming is improving on Android, it's still not as advanced as on the iPhone.
Winner: Apple iPhone 4
Processor
Both the HTC Desire HD and iPhone 4 feature 1GHz processors. The iPhone 4's is the Apple A4 processor, while the HTC Desire HD takes the well-known and respected Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8255 1GHz processor.
Both are super-fast, but as seen on the HTC Desire, the Desire HD's processor handles everything a whole lot better. We still find that during gaming, the iPhone 4 can get a little jerky at times and this is disappointing, especially when playing a game like Real Racing where smoothness is key.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Sound and vision
Both the iPhone 4 and HTC Desire HD feature a whole load of extra features and the star of the HTC Desire HD's show is probably its Dolby Surround Sound and Dolby Mobile integration that allow you to watch movies in crystal clear quality with stunning sound to boot.
The iPhone 4's speakers are pretty impressive, but as Apple is the music master, you would expect something special. Gone is the tinny mobile speaker music and in come the punchy tunes from Apple.
The HTC Desire HD also features DLNA, allowing you to share your media with your DLNA-enabled entertainment system, whether that's your PC, NAS or speakers. Many phones are offering this now and it's pleasing to see HTC is embracing the technology.
The addition of Dolby pushes the Desire HD in front and with the ultimate mobile cinematic experience on that massive screen, it's a double thumbs up from us.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Web services
Both the iPhone and the HTC Desire HD feature their own mobile cloud backup, location and restore services.
We've gone more in depth in our comparison, but the Desire HD wins here because the service is free in comparison to MobileMe, plus offers a better suite of services without having to download extra applications as you have to on the iPhone 4.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Camera
The HTC Desire HD features an impressive 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and autofocus - exactly as you'd expect from a super-powerful smartphone. There's also a whole host of fun modes for you to play with to add a little pizzazz.
The Apple iPhone 4 features a 5-megapixel camera with flash and tap to focus. The iOS4.1 update brings HDR to the table, too and although it's slow and doesn't work as effectively as we'd like, it does offer a slight improvement to photos. We also find the camera takes photos a little too quickly, resulting in blurry pictures. Theoretically, this shouldn't be an issue but in practice it is.
The Desire HD's camera wins this one - it takes top shots and with the added extra of a dual flash and boost of megapixels, you can't go far wrong.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Tethering
Tethering comes as standard on the HTC Desire HD and the iPhone 4 and allows you to use your mobile network to connect to the internet on your computer, just by plugging it in via USB.
However, Apple (or rather the networks offering the iPhone 4) have put restrictions on iPhone tethering. Tethering on the iPhone costs between £5-10, but on HTC devices, it's free!
In addition to free tethering, you can also turn Android 2.2 devices such as the HTC Desire HD into mobile hotspots, making it even better than the iPhone 4.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
eBooks
Apple's iBooks first appeared on the iPad and now it has made the transition to the iPhone with iOS4. It allows you to download 'tens of thousands of books' from the iBooks store and read them at your own pleasure. Books cost between nothing and well, as much as a book would cost (we found many priced at £14.99 and above), although there is a very good selection.
The HTC Desire HD features ebooks through the Koboä eBook store. It allows you to make notes and annotations around the books. You can also add bookmarks as you can with iBooks.
Although we don't know how many books will be available to view on the HTC Desire HD, the large screen of the device coupled with the annotation functionality ensures HTC wins this one.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Pricing
Now that the HTC Desire HD's pricing has started to filter out, it's once again obvious that any phone is cheaper than the iPhone 4. T-Mobile has announced the Desire HD as free on a £40 per month contract. however, this is just rumour and at the launch, it was said that the device wouldn't be available for more than £35 a month. We truly hope so.
The iPhone 4 is only available for free on a £45 per month tariff, although the norm is around £60 per month. Sure, the handset may be free, but you'll pay for than over the 24-month period.
Play has revealed its SIM free price of the Desire HD as £470, although Play has been wrong before. Sure, you may not get the same capacious storage capabilities, but paying £20 extra for a much larger screen has us sold already.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
Verdict:
The iPhone 4 is certainly the best iPhone to date, but this doesn't mean it's the best phone ever (although I'm sure many will disagree).
However, The HTC Desire HD features a larger screen, impressive sound and video quality thanks to Dolby integration, a better camera and a more competitive price. We're very much looking forward to spending more quality time with the HTC Desire HD.
Winner: HTC Desire HD
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