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Head to head: iPhone 3GS vs HTC Hero

By Maggie Holland, 28 Sep 2009

Rating:

It's a clash of the titans as the flagship Android handset, the HTC Hero, goes up against Apple's golden child the iPhone 3GS.

Below the 3.2in (480x320 pixel) screen, sits more hard buttons than the iPhone 3GS, but still far less than on your average handset. There are four hard keys directly below the display for calling, bringing up the menu and the like, while a trackball is present for navigation. Nestling next to said trackball you can find a search key and back button. And, while the iPhone 3GS is a straight up and down affair with curved sides, the HTC Hero sports the banana-esque lip, which is a love it or hate it piece of design.

The iPhone 3GS and Hero also share the existence of a 3.5mm headphone jack which can often be a deal breaker for users who aren’t prepared to use anything but the best headphones.

Both handsets are also available in black and white, with size (8GB or 16GB) the only restriction determining which hue you can have when it comes to the iPhone 3GS.

Vital statistics

There’s not much in it screen-wise between the two handsets, with the iPhone just edging ahead of the HTC Hero with its 3.5in display to its 3.2in offering. The two mobile heavyweights are also level pegged when it comes to weight at 135g a piece.

Getting out our measuring tape also proved an interesting experience as, although the two handsets clearly differ in size in the hand, when you look at the stats on paper there’s not a world of difference between them, with the iPhone 3GS measuring 62.1mmx12.3mmx115.5mm (WDH) to the Hero’s 56.2mmx14.4mmx112mm (WDH).

While the iPhone 3GS comes in either 8GB or 16GB format, you can’t top up storage through external cards. That’s not the case with the Hero which has 288MB onboard memory and a microSD card slot for that all-important boost. Both are more than adequate for the average business user’s needs.

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6 comments

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So what is the conclusion?

Great article thanks, but if you had to pick one or the other which one would you go for?

By JaneOrganise on Tuesday Sep 29

Handling

What I really want to know is can I drop the either of things easily? I have kept my P900 because it is easy to hold. I don't need to have something small and slim. If I drop them, will they break easily? Can I transfer my contacts on to them easily. What's the answer?

By IMB2147 on Tuesday Sep 29

HTC Hero

I have had a Hero for 6 weeks and I love it more than shoes. ;o) It's nearly perfect but not quite. I have dropped it and it stayed in one piece, works fine but there is a chip on the case. It doesn't bounce well. Photos are fine, apps are great. I have the graphite one and I love the shape and the feel of it my hand - very secure. Battery life pretty good - depends how much you play with it but I get a couple of days out of mine and I play a lot. Wi-fi very good indeed. Touch screen very sensitive.My only real gripe is that there is no transfering of files via bluetooth - a serious oversight in my opinion. Any files have to be transferred via cable on a computer although it is a simple drag and drop job. Still bluetooth transfer is much missed. Apart from that I love it. Best phone ever. :O)

By kerbhugger on Tuesday Sep 29

Solid

Had my Hero slip out of my pocket and crash to road whilst cycling at 25mph. There's only a little dent in one corner and the chin did a great job of saving the screen from the tarmac. I'd give it a solid 9.5/10 for sturdiness. I don't think many other phones would have survived so well in a similar situation.

By Daleos on Wednesday Sep 30

Geotagging is also (was first?) on iPhone

Geotagging is supported on iPhone, and is integral in the latest iPhoto application. And Flash NEEDS TO GO AWAY!!! Flash is an obtuse, and obsolete format. I liken it to FAX.

By mstroven on Monday Oct 12