HTC Desire Z

Available now
15th September 2010

The HTC branded version of the T-Mobile G2, the HTC Desire Z is an Android-powered QWERTY slider that supports HSPA+ connectivity.

It isn't quite the old HTC Desire plus a keyboard, HTC are capitalising on the success of the Desire brand by extending it to other high-end Android phones such as this and the HTC Desire HD. Most of the specifications are pretty similar to the original Desire though.

Apart from the QWERTY keyboard, the most obvious feature is the 3.7" 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen display, most likely a Super TFT panel rather than the OLED panel in the Desire. Inside is an 800 MHz Qualcomm processor which HTC say is as fast as most 1 GHz processors found in rival devices. The Desire Z has 512MB of RAM and 1.5GB of Flash storage plus a microSD slot for storing data. The handset supports download speeds of up to 14 MBps on HSPA+ and also supports WiFi 802.11b, g and n networks.

On the back is a 5 megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video recording, and it also comes with a flash and autofocus capabilities. Pictures can be geo-tagged using the Desire Z's GPS receiver. On the subject of GPS, the Desire Z supports Google Maps Navigation and also it looks like HTC have added their own navigation software too.

This is an Android 2.2 smartphone with the latest version of HTC Sense running on top. This new version is more than a software upgrade, it also integrates with a web service called HTCSense.com which backs up contacts, messages and can even help you locate the phone if you have left it somewhere by accident.

There's a large 1300 mAh battery inside which HTC say can power the Desire Z for over 6 hours talktime and almost 18 days standby time. The large screen and keyboard probably account for much of the 180 grams in weight, making the Desire Z one of the heavier phones on the market.

If you already own a Desire then there's probably little point rushing out to buy the Desire Z unless you are after the QWERTY keyboard, but the Desire Z probably will provide some tough competition to the Motorola Milestone 2 which has a very similar specification.

The Desire Z should be available in Europe and Asia from October onwards, with a version heading for North America later in the year. Our best bet is that it will cost around €550 or so at launch.