Difference between HTC Desire and Nexus One

[Dicky]

Hi Guys,

I'm new here, was browsing around for Info on Android and which phone to buy and I came across this Forum. It's great, i've been reading for days and have learned a lot and the people here seem really helpful.

I can't decide which phone to get, I'm currently between HTC Desire and Nexus one. I'm been reading reviews while doing some comparisons to try to decide on this.

When the phones were first released I remember reading that the two main difference was that the Desire would have Flash support but not the Nexus One and also of course Sense UI.

In 2.2/Froyo I believe that has been rectified and we can get Flash on the Nexus One as well, please do correct me if I am wrong.

As for Sense UI, I understand it's an Interface developed by HTC to place over Android. From what I have been reading, Android does not need Sense UI to run. So what makes Sense UI so special? What can it do and so on that the Nexus one cannot?

I'm essentially looking for whats the difference between the Desire and Nexus One.

Any help would be really appreciated

 

[grainysand]

Hardware-wise, the differences are:

• The Nexus One has a physical trackball. The Desire sports an optical trackpad.
• The Nexus One has a noise-canceling mic; the Desire doesn't.
• The Desire's FM radio works out of the box; the Nexus One has an FM receiver but it's not enabled.
• The Nexus One has capacitive buttons; the Desire has physical hardware buttons.

Else the hardware is identical. Sense UI is a skin overlaid on Android, and among other things its proprietary framework enables the use of HTC's apps, widgets, syncing options, Exchange solution, and skinned browser. It unifies the UI into a more polished look, and is a bit more beginner-friendly than vanilla Android.

On the other hand, of course, most of what Sense offers can be substituted or replaced by third-party apps that mightn't look as shiny but offer the same (or more!) functions and customization options. Sense also slows down updates: it's why the N1 already has 2.2 and the Desire et al will have to wait until late July or later. Comes down to personal preferences, I suppose.

If you're into rooting and modifying your device, I'll also note that the N1 has a considerably larger developing community behind it.

 

[Dicky]

Thanks grainysand that helps a lot

I couldn't figure out what sense could do that the Nexus one could not.

Can anyone tell me if the HTC apps or widgets are any good?

I'm into stuff like that, i've cracked my PSP and also Itouch

I'm looking for something customizable but which wouldn't take up much of time keeping track of the scene i.e rooting and stuff. What appeals to me are the widgets and the ability to customize so many aspects of the phone.

I do like getting updates quickly, like in the current release of 2.2 as there isn't any confirmed word on when HTC will get 2.2

Another reason for my dilemma is because Nexus One cost more than the Desire

 

[grainysand]

Huh, does it? I thought the unlocked, contract-free price of both phones was about the same.

There isn't anything Sense can do that the N1 can't. It just comes with integrated everything out of the box, whereas with the N1 you'll need to hunt a bit for third-party apps. There're also some differences between stock Android apps and Sense apps that replace them, like the 3D gallery on the Nexus (though you can install it on a Desire too).

The HTC apps and widgets are pretty good, though. I used to like them a lot until lately several devs came up with a bunch of things that have exceeded them in function and flexibility. Ultimately though, they're both similar and excellent phones--you can get the Desire and replace Sense UI with a home replacement of your choosing, or if you want to root put a non-Sense ROM on it.

 

[Dicky]

Ahh...I see, interesting. So which ever phone i get i could do whatever i want or replicate each other, well sorta anyway.

Oohh....well I am in Malaysia where the Nexus One is not officially sold and neither is it tied to a Plan. Fortunately there are HTC shops and also generic phone shops which do sell the Nexus One not tied to any Carrier.

There's roughly a 300 ringgit difference between the phone

 

[reddeviluk]

You also get better battery life with the Desire, more RAM (576mb over 512mb) and slightly better Bluetooth (2.1 over 2.0).

Rich

 

[Dicky]

You also get better battery life with the Desire, more RAM (576mb over 512mb) and slightly better Bluetooth (2.1 over 2.0).

Rich

Thanks Rich for pointing out the battery portion, thats quite important to me as I tend to be away from power supply for extended periods of time.

 

[KTF]

On the other hand, of course, most of what Sense offers can be substituted or replaced by third-party apps that mightn't look as shiny but offer the same (or more!) functions and customization options.

Out of interest, what apps are you using instead of the HTC ones that are 'better'?

 

[chris100575]

^ I'd like to know this too, I may be missing out on something.

 

[weeb]

I'm finding the wait for 2.2 release pretty hard, so much so that I kinda wish i got an n1.

As for the widgets, the htc ones are nice but you can get hundreds (if not thousands) of alternatives in the market.

As for sense, there are alternatives also, launcherpro & adw launcher are two of the best imo and they sure look pretty.

If I where you I'd got for the n1, quicker updates and a base android system to build on.

 

[Dicky]

Thats something I'm considering also, getting the Nexus One because it'll always get the Updates for sure. Less hassle and waiting, the only thing making me waver was the price and also all the hype i read about Sense UI but i could never figure out what it is.

I have a clearer picture of it now and what i want, now it's just a matter of seeing if my pocket can stomach it.

It goes for around RM2.4k which is around 700++ USD

OH yes...a list of some basic widgets that would make it look nicer overall is nice for me to have on hand.

 

[grainysand]

You also get better battery life with the Desire, more RAM (576mb over 512mb) and slightly better Bluetooth (2.1 over 2.0).

Rich

You don't. The stock batteries are identical: 1400mAh for the N1 and 1400mAh for the Desire. No, the N1 doesn't magically leak more battery. I'm also sorry to inform you that until 2.2 hits the Desire, it doesn't actually use all of that RAM. 2.1 kernel allows the phone to access only, what, half the RAM? The difference in memory is partly there to make up for Sense being something of a memory bloat, anyway.

Out of interest, what apps are you using instead of the HTC ones that are 'better'?

Easy. Pure Calendar lets me skin the widget and choose the widget's size and shows the event's location. Beautiful Widgets, while lacking the eyecandy of weather forecast animation, is also skinnable so I can actually match it to my phone's theme.

Cacheinjection's modded stock music app blows HTC's music app absolutely out of the water. No comparison. Gesture control, app overlay, variable widget sizes. Of course, you need root to use it and Froyo to take advantage of the newest version, but the thing cured my "bawww HTC's music widget is prettier" whining permanently and brought a heap of extra features too. Lacks cover flow, but I'll live. If you're desperate for eyecandy there's the Cubed music player which even fetches album art automatically.

Dolphin Browser HD has a big leg-up on HTC's skinned Android browser. I miss the magnifying glass/wikipedia look-up feature, but then I never used it. The ability to sync with Google bookmarks pretty much clinched it for me, and the add-ons are just a bonus.

ADW Launcher. It draws inspiration from Sense's pinch-to-leap feature but everything else trounces it silly. The dock is customizable and lets you add any apps you want to it instead of that ridiculous ^ Phone + tab, gesture controls let you bind vertical swipes to things you actually have a use for, the scrollable secondary dock lets you drop in as many shortcuts as you like, the app drawer is customizable. It lets you hide the status bar, set your homescreen count, set the size of your homescreen (4x4 not enough? You can stretch up to 8x8). Hell, the fling speed of homescreens is adjustable.

Dialer One does a fantastic job of replacing HTC's smart dial. Again, more customizable.

Finally, when it comes to looks I think a lot of themes (which yeah, let's be fair, require root) have outdone Sense. Check out DarkEdge: classy, slick, and elegant.

 

[azz]

You cn het them apps for desire... but I prefer to stick with de fault HTC desire apps. And I love the sense it is absolutely. Brilliant and its what makes Android look good . Trust me I work for carphone warehouse in UK.

 

[weeb]

trust me i work for carphone warehouse

never!!!!

 

[Deleted User]

Dolphin Browser HD has a big leg-up on HTC's skinned Android browser. I miss the magnifying glass/wikipedia look-up feature, but then I never used it. The ability to sync with Google bookmarks pretty much clinched it for me, and the add-ons are just a bonus.

How do you sync Dolphin Browser HD with Google Bookmarks? Is it in the settings or does it require one of the DBHD add-ons?