Apple iPhone 3GS (16gb) or HTC Touch HD?

baby_frogmella

Hi

Want to buy a new touchscreen phone to use with my O2 simplicity SIM (includes 3G internet) and my main use will be for internet, email and instant messaging (Yahoo, MSN etc). I have narrowed it down to the new iPhone 3GS or the HTC Touch HD. Both are priced around 420-440 mark so not much difference. If i go for the HTC, it will be sim free whereas the iphone would be bought from Apple on O2 PAYG so should work with my existing O2 sim.

Whilst i believe both are excellent, part of me says buy the HTC because of its larger screen size (3.8" as opposed to iphone's 3.5") on the other hand, the iphone 3GS is *supposed* to be the latest and best for just about everything.So out of the 2 which is the better phone purely for internet use? (and the few tel calls here and there of course:p)

Cheers

jclegs

The Touch HD runs Windows Mobile which is not the nicest OS to use with a touch screen, in my opinion (will at least until 6.5 is out).

If you're looking a touchscreen go for the iPhone.

nobby24

baby_frogmella wrote: »

Hi

So out of the 2 which is the better phone purely for internet use? (and the few tel calls here and there of course:p)

Cheers

The Iphone 3GS no question.

ricflairandy

id go for the hero if you dont want an iphone but at the end of the day you cant beat the iphone

Astec

Depends, are you a sheep or a shepherd?

The former, get sucked in by marketing speil, get ripped of everytime you need a basic app and think your cool.

If the latter, get the better phone.

Btw, I've got the old Touch diamond and wouldn't swap it for an iGimmic.

nafe

I'd seriously recommend considering the HTC Hero. Check out some reviews and youtube vids, looks like a cracking bit of kit. After having 3 Windows Mobile phones I've decided against getting them again. Android looks top notch though.

scoot23

I've got the original touch diamond, and its perfectly acceptable as a phone. The problem with the Touch HD is that it still doesnt have a capacitive touch screen, so it will never be as responsive as an iPhone. This review mentions exactly this problem with new Touch HD.

Granted the cult of an iphone is somewhat off-putting, but the fact that the iPhone store has such a critical mass of users means you are bound to get more usability and fun gizmos down the line than for one of the HTC phones imo.

jamesh

The resolution is much smaller on the iPhone compared to the Touch HD, purely for browsing the HD is much better as you can fit so much more on the page at once.

jclegs

Go to a mobile phone shop and try the iPhone or HTC Hero out to see what you feel more comfortable with.

I have a iPhone 3G and although I find the battery to be rubbish and have a few issues with the 3.0 software on the 3G, the 3GS doesn't have these issues. The HTC Hero does look good though.

nafe

The HTC Hero *does* use a capacitive touch screen, and some reviews claim the on screen keyboard is better than the iphone. From my brief trial with the phone, I'd have to agree - it's incredibly responsive and the auto-correct software is fantastic.

thescouselander

I have had the HTC Hero since it came out on Orange. I have to say its pretty good and gives the iPhone a run for its money.

The thing that did it for me was the ability to run programs in the background - this allows me to run a SIP client continuously when I'm in WiFi coverage so I can make and recieve voip calls over the internet. The iphone isn't so good at this as it will only recieve voip calls if the program is running (iphone can only run 1 app at a time)

Unfortunately the interface on the Hero isn't quite as slick as the iphone as it can slow down at times if there are things going on in the background. On the other hand the Hero's integration with facebook is excellent and it syncs your contacts list with your facebook friends - you can get to their updates and pics by simply going to your contacts list on the phone. syncronisation with googlemail is also really good.