HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) smartphone

Photo: Havarhen via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

HTC

HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2)

October/November 2010 3/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire Z, also known as the T-Mobile G2, was a distinctive slider-style smartphone released in late 2010. It featured a physical QWERTY keyboard, a 3.7-inch Super LCD display, and ran Android 2.2 Froyo, upgradable to 2.3 Gingerbread. This device was notable for its unique "Z-hinge" mechanism and its focus on messaging and productivity.
Display3.7-inch S-LCD with 480x800 resolution
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S2 MSM7230
Main Camera5 MP with autofocus and LED flash
BatteryRemovable 1300 mAh Li-Ion
Starting from $100

💰 HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) Price

The HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) lowest price is $100, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeS-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size3.7 inches, 38.2 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution480 x 800 pixels, WVGA (~252 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass

Platform

OSAndroid 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7230 Snapdragon S2
CPU800 MHz Scorpion
GPUAdreno 205

Memory

Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal1.5 GB (Desire Z) / 4 GB (T-Mobile G2) storage, 512 MB RAM

Main Camera

Single5 MP, AF
FeaturesLED flash, face detection, geotagging
Video720p@30fps

Selfie Camera

SingleNone

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery
Talk timeUp to 9 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G)
Stand-byUp to 430 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions119 x 60.4 x 14.16 mm (4.685 x 2.378 x 0.557 in)
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)
SIMMini-SIM
KeyboardPhysical QWERTY slider

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR
GPSYes, with A-GPS
RadioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0

Launch

AnnouncedSeptember 15, 2010
StatusDiscontinued

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent physical QWERTY keyboard for fast typing
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Removable battery
  • Expandable storage
  • Unique and satisfying slider mechanism

Cons

  • Outdated operating system (Android 2.3 max)
  • Very slow by modern standards (800 MHz single-core CPU, 512MB RAM)
  • Poor camera performance compared to modern phones
  • Lack of front-facing camera
  • Limited app compatibility in current app stores
  • 3G connectivity is being phased out in many regions
★ Our Verdict

While innovative for its time with a physical keyboard and solid build, its severely outdated software, slow performance, and limited hardware make it impractical for modern smartphone use.

The HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) is a relic of a bygone era in smartphones. While its physical QWERTY keyboard and unique slider mechanism might appeal to collectors or those nostalgic for early Android devices, it is entirely unsuitable for daily use in 2026. Its operating system is too old to run most modern apps, its performance is extremely slow, and its 3G connectivity is rapidly becoming obsolete. Do not consider this phone for anything other than a collector's item or a historical curiosity; it offers no practical value as a functional smartphone today. If you need a phone for basic communication, even the cheapest modern feature phone will offer a better experience.

Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Handset
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Charger
  • 8 GB microSD memory card (for T-Mobile G2)
  • Stereo headset
  • USB cable
  • Quick start guide, user manual

Standard manufacturer's warranty applied at the time of purchase, typically one year.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2)?

The HTC Desire Z, also known as the T-Mobile G2, was a slider-style Android smartphone released by HTC in late 2010, notable for its physical QWERTY keyboard and unique "Z-hinge" design.

When was the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) released?

The HTC Desire Z was released in November 2010, while the T-Mobile G2 variant was released in October 2010.

Does the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) have a physical keyboard?

Yes, a key feature of the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) is its full physical QWERTY keyboard, which slides out using a distinctive "Z-hinge" mechanism.

Can the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) run modern apps?

No, the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) runs on a very old version of Android (up to 2.3 Gingerbread), which means it cannot run most modern applications available today.

Is the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) still usable today?

While it might still power on and make calls in some areas, the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2) is largely unusable as a primary smartphone in 2026 due to its outdated software, slow performance, and the phasing out of 3G networks.

What are the key specifications of the HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2)?

Key specifications include a 3.7-inch S-LCD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 800 MHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 1.5 GB or 4 GB internal storage, a 5 MP main camera, and a 1300 mAh removable battery.