HTC Desire Z smartphone

Photo: HTC_Desire_Z.jpg: epavlov on Twitpic derivative work: SoWhy via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

HTC

HTC Desire Z

November 2010 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The HTC Desire Z, also known as the T-Mobile G2, is a slider-style Android smartphone released in November 2010. It stood out with its physical QWERTY keyboard and ran on Android 2.2 Froyo, upgradable to 2.3 Gingerbread, enhanced by HTC's Sense UI.
Display3.7-inch S-LCD with 480x800 resolution
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon MSM7230
Main Camera5 MP with autofocus and LED flash
Battery1300 mAh removable Li-Ion
Starting from $5,999

💰 HTC Desire Z Price

The HTC Desire Z lowest price is $5,999, based on current retailer listings.

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeS-LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size3.7 inches
Resolution480 x 800 pixels (WVGA)
ProtectionGorilla Glass (reported by some sources)
Pixel Density~252 ppi

Platform

OSAndroid 2.2.1 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) with HTC Sense 2.1 UI
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon MSM7230 (Snapdragon S2)
CPU800 MHz Scorpion ARMv7
GPUAdreno 205

Memory

Internal1.5 GB Flash
RAM512 MB
Card slotmicroSD (SD 2.0 compatible), microSDHC

Main Camera

Single5 MP, autofocus, LED flash
FeaturesFace detection, geotagging
Video720p

Selfie Camera

SingleNone

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion
Capacity1300 mAh
Talk timeUp to 9 h 50 min (2G) / 6 h 40 min (3G)
Stand-byUp to 430 h (2G) / 420 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions119 x 60.4 x 14.16 mm (4.685 x 2.378 x 0.557 in)
Weight180 g (6 oz)
BuildAluminum shell
SIMMini-SIM
KeyboardPhysical QWERTY slider keyboard

Comms

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

Launch

Announced2010, September 15
StatusReleased 2010, November

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Tactile physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing
  • Solid build quality with an aluminum shell
  • HTC Sense UI provided a rich user experience for its time
  • Removable battery
  • MicroSD card slot for expandable storage

Cons

  • Outdated Android version with limited modern app compatibility
  • Relatively heavy and thick due to the slider mechanism
  • Hinge mechanism could be prone to issues over time
  • Low internal storage by modern standards
  • Small screen size compared to contemporary smartphones
★ Our Verdict

For its time (2010), the HTC Desire Z offered a compelling package with its unique physical QWERTY keyboard, decent specifications, and the well-regarded HTC Sense UI, making it a strong contender for users who prioritized typing.

The HTC Desire Z is a classic Android smartphone from 2010, primarily appealing to collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with a physical QWERTY keyboard. As a daily driver in 2026, it is largely impractical due to its severely outdated Android operating system (Froyo/Gingerbread), which means most modern applications will not function. The hardware, while robust for its era, is slow by today's standards, and the camera is basic. Battery life will also be significantly degraded on any surviving units. If you're considering purchasing one, do so for its historical value or as a secondary device for basic calls and texts, but be aware of its limitations and the potential for hardware degradation, especially the slider mechanism. Expect to pay a very low price, likely for a used or 'parts only' device.

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

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • HTC Desire Z Handset
  • Battery
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Wired Headset
  • User Manual

Standard manufacturer warranty at the time of purchase.

❓ Questions & Answers

What are the key specs of the HTC Desire Z?

The HTC Desire Z has a display of 3.7-inch S-LCD with 480x800 resolution, chipset of Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7230, main camera of 5 MP with autofocus and LED flash, battery of 1300 mAh removable Li-Ion.

When was the HTC Desire Z released?

The HTC Desire Z was released on November 2010.

How much does the HTC Desire Z cost?

The HTC Desire Z starts at $5,999 at the lowest verified shop we track; see the price list on this page for more options.

Is the HTC Desire Z worth buying?

We rate the HTC Desire Z 7/10. For its time (2010), the HTC Desire Z offered a compelling package with its unique physical QWERTY keyboard, decent specifications, and the well-regarded HTC Sense UI, making it a strong contender for users who prioritized typing.