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Why the iPhone 3G is better than the HTC T-Mobile G1

Posted By Mr.Gadget Published in Mobile Phones, iPhone

Oct

As you may have read from my posts over the last 6 months, I have mixed feelings about the iPhone 3G. First, I posted the top 10 things I liked about it and then a few weeks later the 10 most annoying things about the iPhone. All-in-all though, I would still rate it as the best phone I’ve had to date.

Just when I’ve settled down with my iPhone 3G however along comes another gadget that gets my attention - the HTC TMobile G1 which is the first device that runs on the Google Android platform. It’s only just been made a available through T-Mobile in the U.S.

Features of Google Android OS:

Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices
Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
SQLite for structured data storage
Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF)
GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent)
Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent)
Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE

‘So what?’ you say. ‘Does it stack up to the iPhone 3G?’

HTC T-Mobile G1 Versus Apple iPhone 3G
Let’s see. Here’s a comparison table that I created this afternoon based on the specs of these two formidable phones. To make it easy to compare against eachother, I used a green highlight to indicate which phone was superior in an area and yellow where it was a tie. Greens are tallied at the bottom.

Based on their specs alone, the iPhone 3G came out the winner! It especially dominated in the areas of CPU, screen size, weight and of course iPod functionality. This was no easy win though. Points were given to the HTC T-Mobile G1for slimness, auto-focusing 3.2 Megapixel camera, memory expandability and battery life.

Despite the iPhone 3G coming out on top, I think I’ll be in the queue for the HTC G1 when it comes to Australia. I’m a big fan of Google and their innovations so keen to be part of the action as they enter into the foray of mobile devices.

More Details Indicate Nokia E63’s Imminent Announcement (October 24th, 2008)
Motorola Presents AURA Luxury Phone (October 22nd, 2008)
Samsung Announces I7110 with AMOLED Screen (October 21st, 2008)
LG KP500 to be Released as the LG Cookie (October 20th, 2008)
Video preview: Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 (October 20th, 2008)

26 Responses To This Gadget Post

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roxxe Says, in 10-22-2008 at 21:19:47 from 193.191.208.195

agps in the iphone is not the same as a real gps in the g1

DON KING Says, in 10-22-2008 at 21:35:18 from 195.195.38.1

Seriously, where is the reference to the android being an open platform, or the fact that developers are allowed to enhance the devices’ capability and functionality, whereas on the iphone, you are accused of duplicating applications therefore they are banned.

Bionic Beauty Says, in 10-22-2008 at 22:25:56 from 65.33.182.187

What about price point? I can’t seem to find anything on T-Mobile’s website about the G1’s cost to existing customers.

Really my only drawback to getting an iPhone is that darn AT&T network. I really wish Apple would’ve opened it up.

I’m an Apple fan and a Google fan. Ohh… what to DO?

johndoe Says, in 10-22-2008 at 22:41:38 from 203.171.95.206

based on their specs? did you even read your own table?! the htc seems to sh*t on the iphone in the features. the fact that its a bees d*ck bigger and the screen is f*ckall smaller means to parts of nothing. its got more/better features according to you.

try again before you go flogging this overhyped POS.

Chris Says, in 10-22-2008 at 23:33:26 from 147.197.140.180

I think you overlooked the G1’s touchscreen - it’s not just controlled by trackball! Although it’s not multi-touch like the iphone.

multi-touch vs touch + trackball & enterkey = draw

Mippe Says, in 10-23-2008 at 01:13:13 from 88.195.218.3

G1 has a touchscreen. But I’ve gotta admit it ain’t as good as iPhones.

JJ Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:46:08 from 151.200.35.3

I was able to get my hands on a G1 this weekend and I must say it felt awkward from the start. Web pages took FOREVER to load. It only shows widescreen when the keyboard is enabled — ie, exposed and the phone is something like four inches squared. Now, the network might have been slow, but I was able to figure out pretty quickly that the software was its only saving grace. There’s nothing attractive about the hardware. In fact, it looks like a step BACK in time. And the network, like on the iPhone, is disgraceful. Let’s be honest here. I’m more interested in how other phones will take to the Android software. What if you don’t have a QWERTY keyboard? Sign me up for the Blackberry Storm and I’m stickin’ with Verizon — after being a customer for four-plus years I can verifiably say their network is outstanding. That’s the bottom line for me, at least.

bob Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:50:24 from 80.1.105.158

erm, you can connect an iphone to usb and it has a headphone socket to, so i think that should be green!

Danikar Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:55:06 from 216.55.67.50

The only real things that make the iphone better is that it is a sleeker design.

For whatever reason you left out the fact the G1 also has a touchscreen. The trackball and enter button are not the way people are likely to control it. It is just an optional way to control it.

Hopefully in the coming months there will be a nicer looking android phone released.

brandon biggs Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:56:41 from 72.198.18.5

the iphone is underclocked to 412mhz, even then you couldn’t compare them, as they have different architectures.

the g1 has removable storage, so it could be as high as 16gb.

also, why bother comparing the battery specs? the standby and talk times are both higher on the g1.

Felipe Martinez Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:58:13 from 98.180.6.43

@roxxe

um. a-gps means assisted GPS

Android GPS = Just a GPS

iphone 3g GPS = GPS PLUS triangular positioning. so while your gps is locating itself (20-40 seconds) the triangular data locates the area around you

a-gps > Gps just because of the fact that gps is part of a-gps. please read more.

Felipe Says, in 10-23-2008 at 07:59:22 from 98.180.6.43

I’d also like to point out that the iPhone 3G also has a motion sensor

Kory Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:01:44 from 96.229.82.41

You are clearly an apple fanboy. This article is as shortsighted as the iPhone itself.

pedro Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:06:28 from 90.211.79.133

The iPhone’s CPU is underclocked to 412 Mhz, this as well as some other “facts” on your table are debatable at best. Seems like all you are doing is trying to justify your purchase by taking cheap stabs at a great phone with a great platform.

Mike Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:09:49 from 86.143.198.148

Im sorry but because the battery is bigger makes it better, even tho the androids battery lasts longer however you use it?…

And also the android wins on memory, it has the SD expansion slot and more onboard memory.

rpv Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:10:36 from 90.203.183.247

There is an ERROR in your table the talk time of the iPhone 3G on GSM is 10 hours, which is 600 Minutes, so it is much more superior!!! also a special feature is Video iPOD for Apple.

dolan Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:13:47 from 68.107.6.211

i’m sorry but that was a very biased comparison. like it was said above, touchscreen, music and video player, and the fact that android is an open source project. i mean seriously they are very close together. g1 has better battery life, better camera, digital compass (which is awesome in google maps), and removable memory.

MM Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:14:01 from 128.59.87.24

I like how the iphone wins on battery capacity and gets a “point,” while still losing on operational standby and talktime on said battery.

Bits & Pieces Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:14:42 from 61.95.15.182

Interesting specs but even such, specs mean nothing when developers can’t optimise their software for the system, and we gotta look at it in the long run; although the iPhone 3G has internal 16GB, the G1 is expandable and with the new microSD cards ranging from 16GB to 32GB, and the recently noted 128GB, that is worth more while.

Cost is another thing also but technology is cheap. The interface is decorative also and battery capacity does not necessarily determine better battery life as we can see from the specs itself, the G1 lasts longer, even on a smaller capacity.

I’d take the motion sensor any day to iPod functionality, which is nothing different to a media player really.

anonymous coward Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:17:14 from 192.91.171.36

“agps in the iphone is not the same as a real gps in the g1″

You’re right, it’s better. The first iPhone didn’t have a real GPS, which is probably why you are confused. The iPhone 3G has real GPS and also uses local WiFi spots to help when gps satellites haven’t been locked onto yet. Hence, AGPS = Assisted GPS.

Hippie Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:22:28 from 207.244.165.242

FAIL.

Device control on the G1 is ALL OF Trackball/Enter button, keyboard, AND trouchscreen. The iPhone only has a touchscreen. G1 wins in this category.

G1 has more memory, and while you can theoretically expand the iPhone, so can you expand the G1.

Honestly, did you do ANY research before posting this?

Mariana Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:27:25 from 207.157.71.66

Price (U.S.): Current costumer w/ 2yr agreement: 179.99, w/o agreement 399.99.
Found when I logged on to ‘My T-Mobile’ and looked to upgrade.

janedoe Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:37:23 from 67.11.231.250

Apparently the G1 DOES have multi-touch, this is unconfirmed although a Google spokesman apparently let it slip during a preview of the phone. If the multi-touch does exist on the G1, then it is locked at the factory. There are some legal patent issues with Apple’s multi-touch technology and I hear Google didn’t want to get caught up with those at the moment.

l0l Says, in 10-23-2008 at 08:51:34 from 64.149.215.134

You forgot the G1’s expandable memory up to 16gb out of the box, OPEN SOURCE android, customizable without the need to jailbreak, and …. copy and paste.

Btw, theres more to a phone than just hardware specs.

Paul Says, in 10-23-2008 at 10:04:02 from 216.10.193.22

This article is an epic fail

Bits & Pieces Says, in 10-23-2008 at 12:21:38 from 61.95.15.182

G1 has up to 8GB compatible at the moment. Mmmm

http://www.t-mobileg1.com/Default.aspx#/g1-demo-one-touch-google-search/

Some really sleek stuff the G1 got.