There’s only one thing in a smartphone fan’s mind when they are presented with the latest slick and sexy device from another manufacturer – “is it as good as the iPhone”?
For once the immediate reaction isn’t a fawning apology but a long pause, as the Android powered HTC Hero finally brings that combination of decent hardware and an appealing user interface to offer a genuine alternative to the fruity behemoth.
So…which is better, the revolutionary HTC Hero or the evolutionary Apple iPhone 3GS? Let’s take a gander, shall we?
This is a category where we will have to focus more on the form factor than anything else… The iPhone 3GS is taller and wider but shallower, but none of this matters unless you are happy with the ‘chin’ on the HTC Hero.
The bottom quarter of the device juts out at a 40 degree angle, presumably to both protect the device’s screen when placed face down, as well as fit more ergonomically to the face when using it. This portion is separate from the rest of the device, acting as a home to the trackball, a number of buttons for receiving and ending calls, and a shortcut to Google Search.
This striking look, far more pronounced that the slight protrusion found on the HTC Magic, has really divided opinion on whether the Hero is an unconventional beauty, or a stylistic step too far. Even a teflon coated model cannot offset the disdain many have for the Hero’s looks.
No such difference of opinion on the unanimously gorgeous iPhone 3GS. Unless it is white. Like mine.
Winner: iPhone 3GS (by default)
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Weight:
Exactly the same, both tipping the scales at 135g.
Winner: Draw
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Screen:
The underdog comes out swinging with a multi-touch capacitive touchscreen that can at least equal the iPhone 3GS in terms of clarity and responsiveness, whist both have auto-rotate capabilities.
Unfortunately, the 3GS responds with a screen of 3.5″ (against the Hero’s admirable 3.2″), and a 16 million colour display as opposed to the 65,000 colour HTC effort.
The trackball supplements the touch control method for the Hero, but the anti-oil coating and scratch resistant display of the 3GS cements the lead.
Winner: iPhone 3GS
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Camera:
A strong effort from the HTC Hero, a 5 megapixel effort with autofocus sets a benchmark that the 3GS cannot compete with, thanks to a 3.15 megapixel affair. It isn’t all about numbers, and the richness of the 3GS’ screen offsets the lower image quality before uploading the pics to a computer.
The 3GS has a manual touch focus solution which is less assured than the Hero’s effort, but both are docked points for lacking a flash. The video recording and editing functionality at 30fps in VGA drags the 3GS up to a draw, but the clearer image quality steals a march and earns the Hero a hard-fought round.
Winner: HTC Hero
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Battery:
One round the iPhone 3GS is bound to lose is on battery life. The handset is a veritable gas-guzzler, and even with Apple proclaiming vast improvements in longevity, the 3GS’ 300 hours of standby and 5 of 3G talktime pale in comparison to the 7 hours talktime and 440 hours standby of the HTC Hero.
Winner: HTC Hero
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Memory:
The fixed memory of the iPhone 3GS at 16/32 GB is leagues ahead of the HTC Hero as standard, but that microSD slot allows for as much as 32GB of swappable storage. The flexibility of being able to switch memory up on the move makes this another win for the HTC Hero.
Winner: HTC Hero
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Connectivity:
This is a far more contentious round than previously fought, and the chance for the HTC Hero’s customised Android ‘Sense’ interface to really shine.This interface evokes many aspects of the iPhone’s user experience, but presents them in a new and often improved way.
Both devices support the usual suite of text, e-mail and instant messaging software, but the Hero’s ability to run applications in the background allow them to run as intended. A single swipe brings up a constantly updating Twitter feed, allowing users to keep abreast of trending topics without firing up a dedicated app.
The ‘Scenes’ profile switcher allows pertinent applications, options and even the layout to change according to time of day or situation. A ‘work’ profile might be home to a world clock, stocks and business site links, whilst a ‘home’ profile might have footy score tickers, a more cool clock and a less suitable ringtone.
All of these can be changed at will, or set to switch at clocking off time, giving two mobile experiences in a single device.
Basic stats are very similar, with fast 3G data speeds and wi-fi holding up, as well as Bluetooth.
Both have GPS with an in-built digital compass, making them more accurate than ever before, as well as applications to turn them into fully-fledged sat-navs for the road.
The iPhone’s often peerless Safari web browser experience even finds a match in the Hero, as multi-touch is supported with Google’s mobile Chrome, and even takes the lead with Flash support for embedded videos and media…one thing there isn’t currently an app for!
Tough to suggest a winner, but the fact that there is another handset on the market that even holds a candle to Apple’s finest speaks volumes!
Winner: Draw
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Media:
In the format wars, the Hero takes a valuable scalp in the amount of different formats that can be played back. Supporting MP3, AAC, WAV and WMA9 audio, as well as MP4, H.263, H.264 and WMV9 video, HTC’s device is robust and also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The iPhone’s media experience is nicer as the iPod credentials shine through with shake to shuffle and voice control, but then does not support the breadth of media offered by the Hero. What it does do, however, is handle TV out, whilst iTunes is a media management resource like no other.
Apple’s App Store with thousands of games, applications and productivity software makes the Android Market look a little amateurish in comparison. There are some fantastic Android apps to be found, but the lack of quality wares on display is palpable when searching.
Nothing touches the App Store at the moment, and with DS-bothering games on the iPhone whilst Android languishes with tarted up Java games, the 3GS takes this round.
Winner: iPhone 3GS
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Verdict
The iPhone is a known entity to almost everyone at this moment, you know some smug friend in the pub constantly showing you their apps, or continually trying to prove how terrible your current phone is in comparison.
The HTC Hero is the antidote. It is different in entirely new ways, is fun and appealing to use, and the looks will certainly draw some heated debate. One thing that is for sure, the HTC Hero is a good enough smartphone in its own right to be considered an alternative to the iPhone 3GS, which is no mean feat.
Android has been caroused into a beautiful and intuitive interface by HTC, based on their great work on Windows Mobile with TouchFLO, and the Hero more than holds up in terms of specs.
Apples are not the only fruit as far as smartphones go…
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Looking for a price? Check out our latest HTC Hero deals and iPhone 3GS contracts on Omio.com!
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