HTC Desire versus Google Nexus One
The Google Nexus One is set to be one of the biggest launches of 2010, thanks to the Google brand behind it.
Just a couple of months later and and the HTC's own branded Desire was launched, with almost exactly the same spec and look, but HTC's device comes with a couple of additions that Google decided to strip out of the device. and it's selling incredibly well, too.
So, which wins?
Branding
Obviously, the Google branding is a major advantage for the Nexus One. There's been a whole lot of buzz about Google launching its first device, and we weren't disappointed when it was announced.
Many people new to the smartphone game don't actually realise that Android is Google's own developed OS, so the introduction of the Nexus One will surely correct this.
However, HTC has made quite a name for itself since Android as taken off, making it one, if not the, leading smartphone maker.
Screen
Both the Google Nexus One and HTC Desire feature the same crisp 3.7-inch, 480x800 pixel AMOLED capacitive touchscreen.
They're both massively responsive but the HTC Desire scrapes past and that's because it supports multitouch natively (ie., without a firmware update).
Although it's more a UI decision than a hardware or screen decision, we want to know why Google switched off the capability - besides, there's nothing quite like the pinch to zoom browsing functionality and the Expose-style helicopter view.
Body
Although the Google Nexus One and HTC Desire have almost identical insides, the design is slightly different.
To the naked eye, they're the same size,but the Nexus One shaves off 2mm from the width and 0.5mm of the depth.
The HTC Desire is squarer on the corners, with the home, menu, search and back keys joining the trackpad below the screen, making the screen look larger.
The Google Nexus One has its extra hardware buttons in a panel above the trackball.
Navigation
We've already mentioned the HTC Desire's optical trackpad and would say it's certainly the easier way to navigate around the Android device, with more accuracy than even the touchscreen.
The Google Nexus One takes on the more traditional trackball and we all know how clogged up non-optical mice can get with dust and dirt.
Also, many BlackBerry users and HTC Hero users have reported that the trackballs have fallen off their devices, leading us the believe that the optical trackpad is the way forward.
UI
Being a Google device rather than an HTC -branded one, the Nexus One uses the Android Vanilla UI, albeit running on Android 2.1.
Although there's nothing spectacularly wrong with the Vanilla UI, it's just not as good as HTC's revamped HTC Sense UI on the HTC Desire.
HTC Sense features a number of improvements including homescreen live view, where you can see all your homescreens in one place, Friend Stream for social networking and improved People widget.
Network availability
Now here's what what will make or break your relationship with the Google Nexus One....it's only available from Google, in the US, and there's no word when it will be available from Vodafone either.
The HTC Desire however is available (or will be in the next week) on T-Mobile, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Orange and O2. So a lot of choice then.
The cheapest deal is on Virgin, although you can get it for £10 a month on T-Mobile, providing you want to shell out £164 upfront.
Verdict
It's a close battle, but the HTC Desire wins, thanks to its better UI (including multitouch), wider availability and optical trackpad.
