Motorola CLIQ XT Vs. HTC HD2: Better Than the Original CLIQ?

The Motorola CLIQ XT is the successor to the original Motorola CLIQ, which did pretty well when it was released. The HTC HD2 is one of HTC's latest and greatest additions to their growing smartphone fleet. In many ways, these two smartphones are very different units, however, the HTC has been pitted against the CLIQ as a competitor because T-Mobile is selling both and they arrived at the same time. Which will stand the scrutiny? Let's look at them together and see which one really makes the grade.

The Display Battle

The Motorola CLIQ XT has an HGVA TFT display measuring 3.1-inches diagonal with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This is a full 1 1/2 inches smaller in diagonal measure as compared to the HTC HD2, which boasts a WGVA TFT 4.3-inch diagonal display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. This is the first major noticeable difference and the interesting thing is about this is that many have complained about the HTC HD2's huge form factor. The reviews state that while it is the largest on the market, it actually makes the smartphone difficult to hold in the hand. The Motorola CLIQ XT's smaller display and form factor overall is easier to hold. Score one for Motorola. However, it is a handicap as well because the app icons appear squeezed together and difficult to see in many cases. Additionally, the CLIQ's multi touch does not always work and it lacks the vivid effect of the HD2's huge screen. Minus one for Motorola plus one for HD2.

As for the keyboards, both phones come with the Swype enhanced on-screen keyboard, which is a feature offering of T-Mobile. This is a welcome feature and is well reviewed. There is a bit of getting used to using the keyboard involved, but the application makes typing faster and more accurate, especially on the HD2 and its larger screen. However, on the HD2, for those who do not like it, they can use the traditional QWERTY onscreen virtual keyboard instead. The HD2, even though it uses the Sense UI and the icons have plenty of room, it uses older technology. That's minus one for HD2, so now we are back at an even zero for both. Let's try this again...

The OS Battle

The Motorola CLIQ XT, in what is becoming a real issue, only runs Android 1.5 while the HTC HD2 is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.5. Arguable Windows Mobile 6.5 is not considered a real contender in the mobile OS market any longer and Android is the current darling of the day. Both are old OS technologies, as Android currently has 2.1 ready to go and Windows Mobile just unveiled it's Windows Phone 7 series OS to the world. Minus one for both camps.

However, HTC HD2 is generally considered a real achievement as a Windows Mobile smartphone because of its Sense UI which makes running Windows Mobile almost worth it. On the other hand, if the CLIQ XT has compatible hardware and T-Mobile allows, it could theoretically upgrade to any Android version it wanted to. Score one for both again-now we are back to zero. Conversely, the Motorola CLIQ XT is running an older version of the Android OS and that means that newer apps will not run. In addition, the unit comes with a number of highly rated apps preinstalled on it. These make the phone an excellent media platform however, those apps are locked and you cannot remove them making the phone very limited as to what you can do with it. The HD2's apps on the other hand, are removable making it easier to customize. Score one for HD2.

Camera & Video

Both the CLIQ XT and HD2 are camera phones featuring a 5-megapixel camera on each. The Motorola CLIQ XT has auto focus, automatic zoom and a LED flash. It does have much better picture clarity, which makes for higher marks. The CLIQ XT's video camera takes HGVA video in MPEG format and it can record video at up to 24 frames per second. The HD2's camera has auto focus and a dual LED flash. However, this phone does not have auto zoom as the CLIQ XT, but instead has extra editing options the CLIQ XT does not. The HD2' has the advantage of Windows Media, meaning it is compatible with a host of different formats for playback of video however it does not record at all. Motorola wins this one hands down.

Internet & Power

As far as the connectivity offered with both units, they come with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G options and both are generally equal in that area. They both run on the GSM/EDGE bands and have the same 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities. They both offer Bluetooth, however, the CLIQ XT only uses version 1.5 and the HD2 version 2.1, which is a big difference. Another big difference is the batteries. The CLIQ XT uses a 1420 mAh Li Ion and the HTC HD2 uses the 1230 mAh Lithium-ion battery. This translates to the CLIQ XT having up to 400 minutes on the WCDMA band (3G) and up to 450 minutes on the GSM band (2G) and the HD2 has up to 320 minutes on the WCDMA band (3G) and 3870 on the GSM band (2G). This makes absolutely no sense because the HTC would need the better battery to power the Windows Mobile OS and its gigantic screen. Standby time for both the CLIQ XT and HTC HD2 is WCDMA up to 450 hours and GSM up to 500 hours; WCDMA up to 390 hours and GSM up to 490 hours, respectively. Score one and one again for each.

The Bottom Line

If pocketing your phone and "hand-feel" are important issues to you and your use of media is mission critical, the Motorola CLIQ XT deserves a closer look. If you are a Windows fan (although you will be using the HTC "Sense UT" on top of Windows) and are desperate for screen real estate, then you need to look at the HTC HD2. While the HTC may be the better smartphone in absolute terms, the addition of Sense UI cannot change the fact that it is running a severely outdated version of Windows Phone. The Motorola CLIQ XT is intended to be a better version of the original CLIQ, and it is. It has overall a lighter, sleeker and improved media performances are the keys to CLIQ XT's strengths.

The Motorola CLIQ XT is $149.00 and the HTC HD2 is $199.00. Motorola wins on the CLIQ XT pricing. However, in the finial analysis of the two, the HTC HD2, while it is a superior smartphone, it is redundant because of the announcement of Windows Phone 7 series OS. HD2 currently uses a second-rate OS and has no plans to update. The Motorola CLIQ XT is an average smartphone, however uses slightly older technology with a superior OS that is theoretically upgradeable. There is no clear winner here as both phones have their strong points and their weaknesses. It is a decision that you must base on your personal preferences and what your future plans for the phone are. Personally, I think the Motorola has what it takes to be the better overall phone.

References
CNet Motorola CLIQ XT Review
CNet: HTC HD2 Review
HTC : HTC HD2 Tech Specs
Motorola: Motorola CLIQ XT Tech Specs