HTC Thunderbolt vs HTC Inspire 4G – Full Specification Compared
HTC Thunderbolt and HTC Inspire 4G are both 4G Android phones from HTC. Both shipped with Android 2.2 (Froyo), but that is upgradable. Both Thunderbolt and Inspire 4G have many similarities like same multimedia features and operating system, at the same time they have differences too. Both devices feature 4.3 inches WVGA display, Dolby with SRS surround sound, 768 MB RAM, 8 MP camera with dual LED flash and front facing VGA camera for video calls. Thunderbolt offers better internal memory option than HTC Inspire 4G. The main difference between Thunderbolt and Inspire 4G is the network support and the processor. While HTC Thunderbolt supports LTE 700/HSPA+/CDMA, HTC Inspire 4G supports UMTS/HSPA+. When we take the chipset, though the clock speeds of the CPUs in both phones are same, that is 1 GHz, the chipset is different. Strangely HTC Inspire 4G is built with 1st generation Qualcomm QSD 8255 Snapdragon chipset that has 1GHz Scorpion ARM 7 CPU and Adreno 200 GPU and support UMTS/HSPA+ network. Whereas the chipset in HTC Thunderbolt is the second generation Qualcomm MSM 8655 Snapdragon in tandem with MDM 9600 multimode modem (supports LTE/HSPA+/CDMA). MSM 8655 chipset has 1GHz Scorpion ARM 7 CPU but the GPU is Adreno 205. With MDM 9600 multimode modem, the handing over from one network to other will be smoother. With the more efficient processors we can expect HTC Thunderbolt to deliver a better performance than HTC Inspire 4G, however that depends on the network capability as well.
HTC Thunderbolt is the first phone to take the advantage of the US carrier Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Which is the true 4G network in US after Sprint’s WiMax. Verizon promises 5 to 12 Mbps download speeds and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area, though theoreticlly LTE can offer up to 73+ Mbps on downlink. HTC Inspire 4G is on AT&T’s UMTS/HSPA+ network, which can theoretically go up to 21+Mbps download speed, and practically offers up to 6 Mbps download speed.
HTC Thunderbolt
The HTC Thunderbolt with 4.3″ WVGA display is made powerful to support the 4G speed with 1GHz Qualcomm MSM 8655 processor in tandem with MDM9600 modem for multimode network support and 768 MB RAM. This handset has 8megapixel camera with dual LED flash, 720pHD video recording in the rear and 1.3 megapixel camera in the front for video calling. The phone runs on Android 2.2 (upgradeable to 2.3) with HTC Sense 2 that offers fast boot and enhanced personalization option and new camera effects. It also has an internal storage capacity of 8 GB and preinstalled 32 GB microSD and built in kickstand for handsfree media viewing.
Qualcomm claims that they are the industry’s first to release LTE/3G Multimode Chipsets. 3G multimode is required for ubiquitous data coverage and voice services.
With 4.3” WVGA display, high speed processor, 4G speed, Dolby Surround Sound, DLNA streaming and kickstand for hands free viewing HTC Thunderbolt will give you the pleasure of live music environment.
HTC Thunderbolt has integrated Skype mobile with video calling, you can make video call easily like a standard voice call. And with the mobile hotspot capability you can share your 4G connection with 8 other Wi-Fi enabled devices.
The featured applications on Thunderbolt include 4G LTE optimized apps such as EA’s Rock Band, Gameloft’s Let’s Golf! 2, Tunewiki and Bitbop.
The phone hit the market on 17 March 2011 and is sure to catch the eyes of many, especially those who are obsessed with speed.
In the US market, HTC Thunderbolt has an exclusive tie up with Verizon. HTC Thunderbolt is the first 4G phone to run on Verizon’s 4G-LTE network (Network support LTE 700, CDMA EvDO Rev.A). Verizon promises 5 to 12 Mbps download speeds and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area.
Verizon is offering Thunderbolt for $250 on a new two year contract. Customers have to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans starts from $39.99 monthly access and an unlimited 4G LTE data plan begins at $29.99 monthly access. Mobile hotspot is included through May 15 for no additional charge.
HTC Inspire 4G
The unibody sleek metal alloy HTC Inspire 4G is an entertainment package with 4.3” WVGA touchscreen, Dolby with SRS surround sound, active noise cancellation and DLNA. This magnificent phone has a 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and in-camera editing that can record 720p HD video.
HTC Inspire 4G runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) with improved HTC Sense, and it is the first phone to be supported by htcsence.com online service.
HTC Inspire 4G is powered by 1GHz Sapdragon Qualcomm QSD 8255 processor and has 768MB RAM, 4GB ROM and 8GB microSD card included, memory can be expanded up to 32 GB with microSD card. It also has the mobile hotspot capability and you can share your 4G connection with 8 other Wi-Fi enabled devices.
HTC is releasing Inspire 4G in US for AT&T’s HSPA+ network. AT&T is offering HTC Inspire 4G for $100 on a new two year contract. Customers need to subscribe for a talk plan and data plan. The talk plan starts from $39.99 monthy and the minimum data service starting at $15 monthly access (1 GB limit). Tethering and mobile hotspot also requires a data plan.
HTC Sense
The latest HTC Sense, which HTC calls as the social intelligence gives a unique experience to users with its many small but intelligent applications. The improved HTC Sense enables fast boot and has added many new multimedia features. HTC Sense has enhanced camera application with many camera features like full screen viewfinder, touch focus, onscreen access to camera adjustments and effects. The other features include HTC locations with on-demand mapping (service depend on the carrier), integrated e-reader that support text search from Wikipedia, Google, Youtube or dictionary. Browsing is made enjoyable with features like magnifier, quick look up to look for a word, Wikipedia search, Google search, YouTube search, Google translate and Google dictionary. You can add a new window for browsing or move from one to another windows by zooming in and out. It also offers a good music player, which is better than the standard Android music player. There are many other features with htc sense that give a beautiful experience to users.