The HTC Hero is the Taiwanese manufacturer's latest flagship smartphone, a touch-screen device launching in 2009 and attempting to rival Apple's iPhone. Powered by Google's Android operating system, the Hero features a 3.2-inch multi-touch LCD display with a 320 x 480 resolution. Navigation is achieved through a trackpad and onscreen keyboard in addition to the touch screen. The user interface is highly customizable, and aims to integrate basic applications like email and text messaging with social networking services Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter. The Hero enables a variety of multimedia content with support for Flash 9 (and later, Flash 10), not available on the latest iPhone. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera, 3.5mm audio jack, and microSD-expandable storage. Battery life is rated at 420 minutes talk time on WCDMA, and 470 minutes on GSM. It is available in the US via Sprint and Cellular South.

Where to Buy

HTC Hero 2
MSRP$600.00
Release date October, 2009
BrandHTC
love it
want it
have it
tag it
Pros & Cons30
Reviews25
Details
Buy It
Competitors15
Comments1
twitter

Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
24 reviews
75
negative
mixed
positive
16 positive
3 mixed
5 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
3.5mm Headphone Jack.
+19agreedisagree

•
Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
+15agreedisagree

•
Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
+15agreedisagree

•
Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
+12agreedisagree

•
The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
+11agreedisagree

•
great integration in social networks
+10agreedisagree

•
5 megapixel camera
+10agreedisagree

•
First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
+8agreedisagree

•
Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
+8agreedisagree

•
Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
+8agreedisagree

•
video recording
+8agreedisagree

•
Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
+7agreedisagree

•
Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
+7agreedisagree

•
Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor
+6agreedisagree

•
Microsoft Exchange integration
+5agreedisagree

•
Has the most immaculate and original look.
+3agreedisagree

•
Recently release firmware update which completely removes lag and sluggish behavior
+3agreedisagree

•
new update coming to fix performance and add java
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
need a better processor
+9agreedisagree

•
No camera flash.
+4agreedisagree

•
Uses an older generation ARM 11 CPU, considerably slower than that used by Pre and iPhone
+3agreedisagree

•
If you don't buy it sim-free you will wait too much time to install the android updates
+1agreedisagree

•
The "Chin"
0agreedisagree

•
no studiVZ integration
-2agreedisagree

•
very slow to take photos
-3agreedisagree

•
no physical keyboard
-3agreedisagree

•
sluggish performance at times - especially in comparison to the new 3GS and Palm Pre
-4agreedisagree

•
video record quality leaves much to be desired
-4agreedisagree

•
battery life not as good as iPhone
-4agreedisagree

•
Expensive when bought Sim-Free !
-6agreedisagree


25 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • Google Android operating system
  • 3.2-inch multitouch LCD display (320 x 480 resolution)
  • 5-megapixel auto-focus camera
  • Trackball
  • Customizable 'Sense' UI
  • Social networking integration
  • Flash support
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • microSD slot
  • GSM/WCDMA data interface
  • Down-link speeds up to 7.2 Mbps
  • Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and A2DP
  • Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
  • 1350 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
  • 420 to 470 minutes talk time

Submit a link

This report was started June 28, 2009 at 6:24 pm by Kevin90
with the last edit occurring Today, 9:32 AM by onepuff
This page has been viewed 3021 times, with 349 edits by 31 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

HTC Hero | White

• HTC Hero Android G3 A6262 Smartphone Unlocked - International Version with No Warranty (White)

• short_description

UPC: 895321000804

EAN: 4710937331172

MPN: HTC Hero (White) - 99HHM005-00

HTC Hero | Black

• HTC Hero Android G3 A6262 Smartphone Unlocked - International Version with No Warranty (Black)

• 8-32 X 1/2" FH Screws (10)

UPC: 660132616328

EAN: 4710937331189

MPN: A6262

Competitors

HTC Hero is ranked 7th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Smart Phones »
Motorola Droid (Sholes)

Motorola Droid (Sholes)

MSRP  $299.00    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • open Android 2.0 OS
  • WiFi
  • large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
Cons
  • no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
  • camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
  • annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
ProSCORE
17 reviews
82
Vote! (6 votes)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote Motorola Droid (Sholes) 100%
HTC Bravo (Passion)

HTC Bravo (Passion)

MSRP  --    Released  January, 2010
Pros
  • High-speed CPU (Qualcomm Snapdragon with ARMv7 core)
  • large 3.7" AMOLED touchscreen display
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
  • doesn't look half as nice as the HD2
  • only 512MB internal flash memory
  • battery life likely to disappoint with 1GHz CPU and only 1400mAh battery capacity
ProSCORE
3 reviews
81
Vote! (2 votes)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote HTC Bravo (Passion) 100%
Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica)

Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica)

MSRP  --    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • DivX support integrated (first in Android!)
  • 800MHz CPU clock frequency
  • microSDHC flash memory expansion (up to 32GB)
Cons
  • no (i.e. insignificant amount of) integrated flash memory
  • only Android 1.5 (Cupcake) at launch (may be upgradeable if Samsung cares enough)
  • slow ARM11 CPU architecture
ProSCORE
2 reviews
70
Vote! (1 vote)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica) 100%
Motorola Cliq

Motorola Cliq

MSRP  $699.00    Released  August, 2009
Pros
  • WiFi
  • 5MP camera with auto-focus
  • full QWERTY keyboard
Cons
  • software is still buggy - can lead to freezeups
  • Early reports suggest battery is "...woefully inadequate" (e.g. http://tiny.cc/DT9lq)
  • alert lighting becomes redundant
ProSCORE
7 reviews
74
Vote! (1 vote)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote Motorola Cliq 100%
LG GW620 (Eve, InTouch Max)

LG GW620 (Eve, InTouch Max)

MSRP  $399.00    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • Full QWERTY keyboard
  • Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
  • Card slot: microSD (TransFlash) - up to 16GB
Cons
  • Android 1.5 operating system (1.6 or 2.0 would have been nice)
  • somewhat slow - older processor
  • Resistive Screen
ProSCORE
7 reviews
72
Vote! (1 vote)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote LG GW620 (Eve, InTouch Max) 100%
Nokia N97 Mini

Nokia N97 Mini

MSRP  $700.00    Released  September, 2009
Pros
  • 3.2" touchscreen display
  • full QWERTY keyboard
  • 8GB of internal storage
Cons
  • no lens cover
  • not much smaller than the N97
  • keyboard is worse than that on the original
ProSCORE
5 reviews
75
Vote! (1 vote)
vote HTC Hero 0% vs. vote Nokia N97 Mini 100%
HTC HD2

HTC HD2

MSRP  --    Released  January, 2010
Pros
  • amazingly well designed interface - feels like it's not a Windows based device
  • packs a next-gen 1GHz snapdragon CPU
  • 5MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash
Cons
  • slightly larger than the iPhone (which is already quite large)
  • no internal storage
  • Only comes with 2gb standard micro sdhc
ProSCORE
5 reviews
84
Vote! (2 votes)
vote HTC Hero 50% vs. vote HTC HD2 50%
Apple iPhone 3GS

Apple iPhone 3GS

MSRP  $199.00    Released  June, 2009
Pros
  • much faster processing
  • larger storage capacities
  • video recording
Cons
  • no background running apps
  • minor camera upgrades
  • not a revolutionary upgrade
ProSCORE
41 reviews
65
Vote! (7 votes)
vote HTC Hero 57% vs. vote Apple iPhone 3GS 43%
T-Mobile Pulse

T-Mobile Pulse

MSRP  $180.00    Released  December, 2009
Pros
  • Big screen
  • Android operating system
  • Trackpad
Cons
  • Cheap build quality
  • Mono speaker
  • Only 2.5mm headphone jack (incompatible with most quality headphones)
ProSCORE
1 review
63
Vote! (3 votes)
vote HTC Hero 67% vs. vote T-Mobile Pulse 33%
Motorola MILESTONE

Motorola MILESTONE

MSRP  $689.50    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
  • now includes multitouch functionality, pinch-to-zoom, etc...
  • WiFi
Cons
  • all plastic enclosure
  • no Google Maps Navigation
  • flash memory isn't integrated into the device, the only option is microSDHC (not as fast)
ProSCORE
3 reviews
57
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HTC Hero   vs. vote Motorola MILESTONE  
Palm Pre

Palm Pre

MSRP  $199.99    Released  June, 2009
Pros
  • full 3.5mm headphone jack
  • removable battery
  • backlit QWERTY keyboard
Cons
  • no higher capacity models
  • exclusive to Sprint for the first half of 2009
  • no expandable memory
ProSCORE
25 reviews
76
Vote! (4 votes)
vote HTC Hero 100% vs. vote Palm Pre 0%
Acer Liquid

Acer Liquid

MSRP  --    Released  December, 2009
Pros
  • large 3.5" 800 x 480px touchscreen display
  • runs Android OS 1.6
  • 5MP geo-tagging enabled camera
Cons
  • no physical QWERTY keyboard
  • Acer is not known as a quality phone manufacturer (this is among the first few of their phones)
  • based on reviews of the neoTouch this probably won't be so great
ProSCORE
2 reviews
86
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HTC Hero   vs. vote Acer Liquid  
Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)

Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)

MSRP  $999.00    Released  October, 2009
Pros
  • excellent camera: can replace a regular point-and-shoot, though no optical zoom
  • modern operating system (Symbian S60 5th Edition: multi-tasking, touchscreen etc)
  • powerful processor (ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz)
Cons
  • too expensive!
  • No 3.5mm headphone jack
  • slow switching between landscape and portrait
ProSCORE
3 reviews
74
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HTC Hero   vs. vote Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)  
Samsung i7500 (Galaxy)

Samsung i7500 (Galaxy)

MSRP  --    Released  August, 2009
Pros
  • only Android smartphone with significant (8GB) internal memory (fall 2009)
  • 3.5mm audio output
  • standard microUSB for charging & PC connection
Cons
  • very short battery life (3h) despite high capacity battery (according to reviews like techradar.com in fall 2009)
  • annoying functionality of lock button
  • OS reportedly not as fast as other Android smartphones on same 528MHz processor
ProSCORE
2 reviews
76
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HTC Hero   vs. vote Samsung i7500 (Galaxy)  
Samsung Omnia HD i8910

Samsung Omnia HD i8910

MSRP  --    Released  February, 2009
Pros
  • 8.1MP camera for large photos and full 720p/24 video
  • beautiful 3.7" AMOLED screen with large 360 x 640 resolution
  • huge AMOLED touchscreen
Cons
  • will be extremely expensive and/or subsidized by long term contracts
  • doesn't run a real customizable OS with downloadable applications
  • glossy finish, fingerprint magnet
ProSCORE
7 reviews
67
Vote! (1 vote)
vote HTC Hero 100% vs. vote Samsung Omnia HD i8910 0%

Suggest a new competitor to add to the list of competing products.
If the product hasn't yet been added to ProductWiki, submitting it here will also start the product report.

Comments

1.  avatar peteg00 said:

i doubt the iphone is going to loose ground with this guy ...
Aug 12, 2009 10:03pm
Some HTML is allowed. Your comments remain editable after you post..

Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

kdm

avatar
July 13, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons
trustedtrusted
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface

Cons

  • No camera flash.
  • Expensive when bought Sim-Free !

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
August 5, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
72
negative
mixed
positive
13 pros
5 cons
want itwant it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • great integration in social networks
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor

Cons

  • need a better processor
  • very slow to take photos
  • sluggish performance at times - especially in comparison to the new 3GS and Palm Pre
  • video record quality leaves much to be desired
  • battery life not as good as iPhone

Competitors

Erik prefers HTC Hero over Palm Pre, Apple iPhone 3GS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Nils Mosbach

avatar
August 2, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
2 cons
love itlove it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • great integration in social networks
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • Microsoft Exchange integration

Cons

  • need a better processor
  • no studiVZ integration

Competitors

Nils Mosbach prefers HTC Hero over Palm Pre
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

salimfadhley

avatar
October 15, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
70
negative
mixed
positive
14 pros
6 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • great integration in social networks
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor
  • Microsoft Exchange integration
  • new update coming to fix performance and add java

Cons

  • need a better processor
  • No camera flash.
  • Uses an older generation ARM 11 CPU, considerably slower than that used by Pre and iPhone
  • The "Chin"
  • no physical keyboard
  • sluggish performance at times - especially in comparison to the new 3GS and Palm Pre

Competitors

salimfadhley prefers T-Mobile Pulse over HTC Hero
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

mattbu

avatar
December 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
16 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • great integration in social networks
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor
  • Has the most immaculate and original look.
  • Recently release firmware update which completely removes lag and sluggish behavior

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

poopsmith

avatar
December 19, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
93
negative
mixed
positive
14 pros
1 con

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor
  • Has the most immaculate and original look.
  • Recently release firmware update which completely removes lag and sluggish behavior

Cons

  • No camera flash.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

hdbdude

avatar
August 9, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
15 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
want itwant it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • great integration in social networks
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon
  • Automatic adjustment of screen brightness using light level sensor
  • Microsoft Exchange integration

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

hdbdude prefers HTC Hero over T-Mobile Pulse, Palm Pre, Apple iPhone 3GS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

phantomathkg

avatar
November 12, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
69
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
4 cons
want itwant it
love itlove it

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • great integration in social networks
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right

Cons

  • need a better processor
  • No camera flash.
  • Uses an older generation ARM 11 CPU, considerably slower than that used by Pre and iPhone
  • The "Chin"

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Klas Karlsson

avatar
October 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
92
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
1 con
want itwant it

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
  • Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • 5 megapixel camera
  • First phone to feature the HTC 'Sense' User Interface
  • Highly customizable - including time-responsive themes (work, weekend, etc.)
  • Text reflows when you zoom in the browser so you don't have to scroll left-to-right
  • video recording
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons
  • Trackball that doubles as an alert beacon

Cons

  • no studiVZ integration

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

onepuff

avatar
Today, 9:32 AM
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
40
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
6 cons

Pros

  • 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
  • Is not restricted in the media formats it can play, which means (unlike the iPhone) there is less time-consuming file conversion !
  • The majority of the apps in the Android Market Place are Free !
  • Has familiar "call" and "end call" buttons

Cons

  • need a better processor
  • No camera flash.
  • Uses an older generation ARM 11 CPU, considerably slower than that used by Pre and iPhone
  • The "Chin"
  • no physical keyboard
  • video record quality leaves much to be desired

Competitors

onepuff prefers Nokia N97 Mini over HTC Hero
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
«Prev 1 2 3 Next»

Twitter

tweet this product!
- join or start the conversation
Search twitter: search

... Loading for latest tweets from search.twitter.com..

tweetie

sponsored by:
Price comparison information by: