HTC Desire HD vs Samsung Galaxy S

[acarmody]

I know there are quite a few threads on the net describing this exact topic, but I would like to hear from Australian owners, and people who have the phone now.

Basically the Samsung has, good GPU, excellent sound, awesome screen, but has problems with the GPS. Whereas the HTC has HTCSense, a better interface, better camera, faster connectivity.

Also apparently neither supports 3.5G networks, true/false? Because that would suck a bit.

Any help in my decision making would be appreciated.

[jujibelly]

Recently 5 or so mates got the htc and samsung, to be honest I think the desire hd is better in all aspects, the samsung just seems to be just that little behind. I do not have either but my gf has got desire.

[CSP]

The only thing the Samsung beats the HTC on is the screen. It uses an amoled screen where the HTC is a wvga. I have the Desire HD and couldn't be happier with it.

No idea what 3.5G means. We have 3G networks in Australia. There are different frequencies but that's it - they're all 3G. And neither works on the 850Mhz spectrum, which is what Telstra's Next G network runs on and why it's the best. 850Mhz has the best range and penetration from the towers.

I am with Vodafone and I have to say I REALLY miss the Next G network. People can bag Telstra all they like. But there's a reason they aren't dirt cheap like the other carriers. They have the best coverage, the best speeds and the best network reliability.

I'm actually contemplating a move back to Telstra at the moment and just going with the HTC Desire as it's the best Android based HTC available that supports 850Mhz 3G.

BTW, other carriers are just now starting to roll out 850Mhz 3G towers but Telstra have 99% population coverage already.

The confusion is caused by Telstra. Next G is 3G on a different spectrum. That's all.

[hakhawk]

The only thing the Samsung beats the HTC on is the screen. It uses an amoled screen where the HTC is a wvga. I have the Desire HD and couldn't be happier with it.

No idea what 3.5G means. We have 3G networks in Australia. There are different frequencies but that's it - they're all 3G. And neither works on the 850Mhz spectrum, which is what Telstra's Next G network runs on and why it's the best. 850Mhz has the best range and penetration from the towers.

I am with Vodafone and I have to say I REALLY miss the Next G network. People can bag Telstra all they like. But there's a reason they aren't dirt cheap like the other carriers. They have the best coverage, the best speeds and the best network reliability.

I'm actually contemplating a move back to Telstra at the moment and just going with the HTC Desire as it's the best Android based HTC available that supports 850Mhz 3G.

BTW, other carriers are just now starting to roll out 850Mhz 3G towers but Telstra have 99% population coverage already.

The confusion is caused by Telstra. Next G is 3G on a different spectrum. That's all.

The 3.x notation refers to the revised standard the network has implemented:

3GPP Release 99 (the original 3G spec) is classified as just 3G.
3GPP Revision 5 (HSDPA only and other features added) is 3.5G
3GPP Revision 6 (HSDPA (14.4Mbps) & HSUPA (5.76Mbps) enabled aka HSPA) is 3.75G
3GPP Revision 7 (HSDPA (42Mbps) & HSUPA (11Mbps) aka HSPA+ ) is 3.9G
3GPP Revision 8 (aka LTE) is 4G

Currently all 3G networks other than Telstra's NextG have enabled Revision 5 (3.5G) and Telstra is currently at Rev 6 (3.75G)
In 12 months time Telstra will upgrade NextG to Release 7 (3.9G) and the others are expected to upgrade to Release 6 (3.75G)

courtesy of good old whirlpool

[acarmody]

Hmmm well I'm currently with Vodafone and I'm happy enough with the speed, so I guess the speed will be the same with either phone.

It seems that the HTC is the better phone, but it is more expensive, go figure. I can get the HTC on a 24 month contract for $54/month, or a 12 month contract for $74/month. Whereas the Galaxy S is $62/month for 12 months, or $49/month for 24 months.

But I'm really leaning towards the HTC.

[TVR-190]

I have owned a few HTC's now, great phones. Currently using a wildfire and love it.

[NORTI]

courtesy of good old whirlpool

Telstra has 42Mbps HSDPA now.

AMOLED screens are awesome, & HTC Sense is good too IMO. Only issue I had with HTC was battery life was shocking.

[Stressball]

The Galaxy S feels like a $100 phone. Feels like it'll break in half if you even breathe on it heavily. HTC phones always seem to be better built, my Google Nexus One (HTC-made) isn't the sturdiest phone ever, but it's better than most. That's why I won't be upgrading to the Nexus S; Samsung-made, looks ugly and I expect feels flimsy. Yet to find a sturdy Samsung.

From everyone I know with either phone, the Desire HD seems to be better in pretty much every way.

[Veriton]

I've currently got the Samsung Galaxy S and I'm pretty happy with it (although it is my first "smart" phone). The only beef I have with it right now is that it has some small software bugs, like for example, maybe 1-3 phone calls a month I can't answer because the screen locks up and I have to wait until the ringing has finished and either call back or wait for them to call me back. Other than that the phone feels great, I've dropped it a couple of times and it's fine (it has a rubber casing though). I've never tried the GPS so I'm not sure on that aspect.

[Full Spectrum]

I've currently got the Samsung Galaxy S and I'm pretty happy with it (although it is my first "smart" phone). The only beef I have with it right now is that it has some small software bugs, like for example, maybe 1-3 phone calls a month I can't answer because the screen locks up and I have to wait until the ringing has finished and either call back or wait for them to call me back. Other than that the phone feels great, I've dropped it a couple of times and it's fine (it has a rubber casing though). I've never tried the GPS so I'm not sure on that aspect.

You should have them look at that. that's far from normal. mines totally bullet proof. i cant knock it in anyway....




This has been my first Samsung phone. over the years friends have had many Samsung phones. but all seem to have issues with them. so i took on the thought that Samsung made great tv's dvd's etc but not phones. i was waiting for the N8 (slow release) but that fell through. after some reading on phones i decided to give the galaxy a shot. it's not a decision im going to regret.

It's not flimsy, or poorly built. ive knocked a 10kg dumbbell into mine and it didn't leave a mark. or break it. i don't use phone covers as i believe they can make as much damage as clumsy people. also i have been using the GPS over the past few days and it works.

some peoples comparisons leave alot to be desired. if you buy either of these phones you wont lose out. both phones show android at its best.

[50LTRv8]

Has anyone played with the N8 I have read heaps of reviews, just wondering if anyone has one

[Full Spectrum]

My mate just got one. He seems happy with it.. Some reviews I've read say its about 3/5 rating.

[acarmody]

You should have them look at that. that's far from normal. mines totally bullet proof. i cant knock it in anyway....




This has been my first Samsung phone. over the years friends have had many Samsung phones. but all seem to have issues with them. so i took on the thought that Samsung made great tv's dvd's etc but not phones. i was waiting for the N8 (slow release) but that fell through. after some reading on phones i decided to give the galaxy a shot. it's not a decision im going to regret.

It's not flimsy, or poorly built. ive knocked a 10kg dumbbell into mine and it didn't leave a mark. or break it. i don't use phone covers as i believe they can make as much damage as clumsy people. also i have been using the GPS over the past few days and it works.

some peoples comparisons leave alot to be desired. if you buy either of these phones you wont lose out. both phones show android at its best.

While I think (though seeing many reviews) that the HTC interface is superior, I don't know if it is $15/month superior. I currently have an original Samsung Omnia and I really like it, has a few bugs but what doesn't?

So I'm still on the fence about this decision.

[STEEV888]

choosing a new phone.

go there i pretty much made the same thread. all feedback was htc positive so i bought it a couple of weeks ago on a wicked plan.
it is an absolute excellent phone and can do anything.

its pretty much a touch screen computer thats a tad slow.. (even thuogh the htc has the highest processing power)

also check out this.
HTC Desire HD vs. Samsung I9000 Galaxy S - GSMArena.com

[acarmody]

choosing a new phone.

go there i pretty much made the same thread. all feedback was htc positive so i bought it a couple of weeks ago on a wicked plan.
it is an absolute excellent phone and can do anything.

its pretty much a touch screen computer thats a tad slow.. (even thuogh the htc has the highest processing power)

also check out this.
HTC Desire HD vs. Samsung I9000 Galaxy S - GSMArena.com

Cheers mate, I went through that thread. Now I'm even more on the fence, LOL.

I will go and have a play with both phones in-store this week. I have had a cursory browse on each but I will just go in and dick around with it for about 10 minutes, only real way for me to decide.

[NORTI]

this might help

YouTube - iPhone4 vs HTC Evo

[Full Spectrum]

While I think (though seeing many reviews) that the HTC interface is superior, I don't know if it is $15/month superior. I currently have an original Samsung Omnia and I really like it, has a few bugs but what doesn't?

So I'm still on the fence about this decision.

My old phone had its bugs also. But I was one of the lucky ones with the updated goodies, nokia rep
Told me. With the interface its hard. Android phones are similar. galaxy doesn't have 2.2 android right now like htc does. But its due for the update. That has been guaranteed to unleash more power, according to samsung. I'm not sure if thre gingerbread 2.3 update is for it our not ?. But its available for the galaxy tab (when released), so why wouldnt it be available for the phone ?.

[Full Spectrum]

Cheers mate, I went through that thread. Now I'm even more on the fence, LOL.

I will go and have a play with both phones in-store this week. I have had a cursory browse on each but I will just go in and dick around with it for about 10 minutes, only real way for me to decide.

It is that hard lol. Good thing is these phones run android the best. You can't go wrong with them, and I'm yet to see another phone that contends with them running the android os.

I had a list of 6 phones. N97. N8. Htc hd2. Xperia x10. N900. Black berry storm 2. Then the galaxy s came along. And I was funny on the android systems hearing they weren't crash hot. But I'm sold on them now. Been keeping up to date with the cricket soccer weather - you name it they got an app for it lol.

[acarmody]

Well I purchased the HTC Desire HD, by purchased I mean that Vodafone will send it out when they get stock in the second half on January.

I'm a little pissed of with Vodafone though, when I dialed their number a computer advised a 30 minute wait, that's fine I was prepared for that. 50 goddamn minutes later, an operator picked up, she was obviously Indian or something, but easy to understand and really helpful, if she didn't know something she would very very politely inform me she would ask her supervisor, any way I was really pleased with her customer service. After I agreed to the contract and it was all done and ordered, she said to get my 10% RACQ discount she would have to transfer me to a different department, no problems, that's fairly normal. At this point the call has been going for about an hour, 50 minutes wait and then 10 minutes with the operator, and now I'm back on hold. AT 2 HOURS AND 10 MINUTES my phone cuts out because it was running out of battery, a battery that was 90% full when I started. It used it all with about 2 hours of phone on, screen on, and loudspeaker on.

So now I have to call up Vodafone tomorrow and try and arrange my 10% discount as well as lodge a complaint. If I have to wait another hour than by God the complaints supervisor will certainly hear my complaint.

[/END RANT]

[Stressball]

My old phone had its bugs also. But I was one of the lucky ones with the updated goodies, nokia rep
Told me. With the interface its hard. Android phones are similar. galaxy doesn't have 2.2 android right now like htc does. But its due for the update. That has been guaranteed to unleash more power, according to samsung. I'm not sure if thre gingerbread 2.3 update is for it our not ?. But its available for the galaxy tab (when released), so why wouldnt it be available for the phone ?.

Gingerbread is being held for the Nexus S phone now. It's being delayed for any other phones for a little while at least, everything other than the Nexus S and the Galaxy Tab are still on Froyo. The Froyo update improved on a lot of minor issues with android 1.X, just little niggles that could have been made a little better. All android based phones will be updated to Gingerbread at some point though, unless there's a hardware limitation by the phone itself, like too little RAM for example. Most Android phones are pretty good in that respect though, so shouldn't be an issue.

One relatively major limitation at the moment for Android phone is the fact that on Froyo, apps have to be installed onto the internal memory, and then only some can be moved onto the microSD card, depending whether the developer includes that feature or not. Gingerbread is bringing with it MicroSD Encryption, making it possible to install apps directly onto the MicroSD and save the internal space. Now, if internal space runs low, you will stop receiving text messages until it's freed up a bit etc.

[acarmody]

Gingerbread is being held for the Nexus S phone now. It's being delayed for any other phones for a little while at least, everything other than the Nexus S and the Galaxy Tab are still on Froyo. The Froyo update improved on a lot of minor issues with android 1.X, just little niggles that could have been made a little better. All android based phones will be updated to Gingerbread at some point though, unless there's a hardware limitation by the phone itself, like too little RAM for example. Most Android phones are pretty good in that respect though, so shouldn't be an issue.

One relatively major limitation at the moment for Android phone is the fact that on Froyo, apps have to be installed onto the internal memory, and then only some can be moved onto the microSD card, depending whether the developer includes that feature or not. Gingerbread is bringing with it MicroSD Encryption, making it possible to install apps directly onto the MicroSD and save the internal space. Now, if internal space runs low, you will stop receiving text messages until it's freed up a bit etc.

Can't wait for 2.3, but from all reviews I've seen, 2.2 looks mint, a great OS. I guess that is what happens when a company with some smart people (and a crap load of money) in it wants to build something. Do you think we can hire Google to run Australia for a while?

[STEEV888]

Well I purchased the HTC Desire HD, by purchased I mean that Vodafone will send it out when they get stock in the second half on January.

I'm a little pissed of with Vodafone though, when I dialed their number a computer advised a 30 minute wait, that's fine I was prepared for that. 50 goddamn minutes later, an operator picked up, she was obviously Indian or something, but easy to understand and really helpful, if she didn't know something she would very very politely inform me she would ask her supervisor, any way I was really pleased with her customer service. After I agreed to the contract and it was all done and ordered, she said to get my 10% RACQ discount she would have to transfer me to a different department, no problems, that's fairly normal. At this point the call has been going for about an hour, 50 minutes wait and then 10 minutes with the operator, and now I'm back on hold. AT 2 HOURS AND 10 MINUTES my phone cuts out because it was running out of battery, a battery that was 90% full when I started. It used it all with about 2 hours of phone on, screen on, and loudspeaker on.

So now I have to call up Vodafone tomorrow and try and arrange my 10% discount as well as lodge a complaint. If I have to wait another hour than by God the complaints supervisor will certainly hear my complaint.

[/END RANT]

why not just walk into a shop.. and walk out 20 minutes later with the phone and everything.

[acarmody]

No local shops had them, and apparently Vodafone don't tell the shops when they will get them.

Also the only way to get the 10% discount is through either the web or phone-in, but the web doesn't let you break your contract 3 months early. If I couldn't get the 10% discount than I wouldn't get the Desire HD.

[Stressball]

Can't wait for 2.3, but from all reviews I've seen, 2.2 looks mint, a great OS. I guess that is what happens when a company with some smart people (and a crap load of money) in it wants to build something. Do you think we can hire Google to run Australia for a while?

2.2 is very good, my Nexus One has it. That being said, I never had an earlier version to compare it to. Definitely looking forward to 2.3 though, pretty much specifically for the microSD encryption. I keep installing shit and running out of space lol.

[Tsunamix]

I got the HD, my sister for the Galaxy S. The HTC is a little more tech oriented, the Galaxy a little more Iphone like in simplicity.

HD rocks. Samsung is good. Wont go wrong with either.

If your a but of an IT guru, the HTC is for you. If its for your mum and she is 40+ - get the samsung.