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Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super

By Matthew Miller | October 5, 2009, 5:23am PDT

Summary

T-Mobile no longer has the exclusive market for Android devices in the United States with Sprint coming out with a real winner in the HTC Hero that passes up both of T-Mobile’s offerings. The HTC Hero from Sprint is the US CDMA version of the Hero that launched on GSM networks overseas in a form factor more like the T-Mobile myTouch 3G. I’ve spent over a week with the Hero and can say it is the best Android device I have used yet and my statement about the Hero meeting both user interface and functionality needs in a single device looks to be quite accurate.

Topics

High Tech Computer Corp., Google Android, Device, Sprint Communications, HTC Hero, Casing, Trackball, HTC Sense, Highlight Area, Tweets, Stock Data, Camera Utility, QuickOffice Viewer, Adobe PDF Viewer, Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, Mobile Operating Systems, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Matthew Miller

Blogger Info

Matthew Miller

Biography

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller started using a Pilot 1000 in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He is one of three hosts on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and runs the Nokia Experts website. Matthew started using mobile devices in 1997 with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 100 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, Mac OS X (iPhone), Google Android, Palm webOS and Windows Mobile operating systems. His current collection includes a Nokia N900, Nokia N97 mini, Apple iPhone 3GS, Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, Apple iPad, MSI Wind, MacBook Pro, and many more, along with tons of accessories and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew co-authored Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003, was a member of the Nokia Nseries Blogger relations program, and is a member of the invite-only Microsoft Mobius mobile device evangelist group. He can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".
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T-Mobile no longer has the exclusive market for Android devices in the United States with Sprint coming out with a real winner in the HTC Hero that passes up both of T-Mobile’s offerings. The HTC Hero from Sprint is the US CDMA version of the Hero that launched on GSM networks overseas in a form factor more like the T-Mobile myTouch 3G. Andrew had a chance to check out the Hero when it first launched and posted his first impressions. I’ve now spent over a week with the Hero and can say it is the best Android device I have used yet and my statement about the Hero meeting both user interface and functionality needs in a single device looks to be quite accurate. Check out my image gallery that shows the hardware and some screenshots, along with my video below. Unfortunately, one weakness of the Android platform is that screenshots are not easily captured on the device so my video shows more of the device in action than the screenshots.
Image Gallery:A look at the upcoming Sprint HTC Hero launching on the 11th of October. Image Gallery: HTC Hero in hand Image Gallery: Hero home screen

The T-Mobile G1 was launched over a year ago and Google Android devices and updates have been very slow to roll out. I was expecting more from the platform and a device like the HTC Hero was what I have been expecting for a while. The customization provided by HTC and the services provided by Sprint combine to make the Hero an extremely compelling device. Sprint now has the most compelling lineup of smartphones out of the four major US wireless carriers with the HTC Hero, Palm Pre, HTC Touch Pro2, BlackBerry Tour, HTC Snap, and more. I wish I had better Sprint coverage where I live, work, and play because I would be all over a Sprint device with their outstanding EVERYTHING data plans.

Specifications

Here is a rundown of the specifications of the Sprint HTC Hero:

  • 3.2 inch 320×480 pixels capacitive touchscreen display
  • EV-DO Rev. A support for 3G data
  • 528 MHz Qualcomm processor
  • 288 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM
  • Google Android OS 1.5
  • 2 GB microSD card included
  • Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo support
  • Integrated 802.11 b/g WiFi
  • 5.0 megapixel auto focus camera
  • Integrated GPS receiver
  • Trackball navigation
  • HTC extUSB/mini USB port for charging and PC connectivity
  • 3.5mm headset jack
  • 1500 mAh Lithium ion battery
  • Weight of 4.5 ounces
  • Size of 4.46 x 2.22 x 0.54 inches

Looking through the list of specs you will see that the HTC Hero has almost the same as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, except for the 5 megapixel camera and 3.5mm headset jack. However, as you will read below HTC added quite a bit on the software side to make the HTC Hero even more attractive than the myTouch 3G in a few respects. The inclusion alone of the 3.5mm headset jack is big in my eyes and I just haven’t been able to embrace using a device that requires and adapter to use my favorite headphones.

In the box

Unlike the slick packaging of the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, the Sprint HTC Hero comes in a fairly standard Sprint retail box. Inside you will find the Hero, battery, USB cable, wired stereo headset, and Getting Started Guide.

Let’s check out the Hardware ยป

Matthew Miller started using a Pilot 1000 in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since.

Disclosure

Matthew Miller

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadget freak at all other times. He purchases most of his devices and then sells them on eBay or Craigslist to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer. If any are provided as “keeper” or “long term loaner units” this will be clearly disclosed in his reviews.

Biography

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller started using a Pilot 1000 in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He is one of three hosts on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and runs the Nokia Experts website. Matthew started using mobile devices in 1997 with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 100 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, Mac OS X (iPhone), Google Android, Palm webOS and Windows Mobile operating systems. His current collection includes a Nokia N900, Nokia N97 mini, Apple iPhone 3GS, Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, Apple iPad, MSI Wind, MacBook Pro, and many more, along with tons of accessories and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew co-authored Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003, was a member of the Nokia Nseries Blogger relations program, and is a member of the invite-only Microsoft Mobius mobile device evangelist group. He can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".

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Talkback Most Recent of 16 Talkback(s)

  • When will AT&T get one?
    I had heard that the HTC Hero was coming to AT&T and I was excited to be able to have an Android phone without paying huge fees to cancel. Looks like I'm stuck with the iPhone until AT&T gets an Android phone.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    wayne62682
    10/05/2009 06:38 AM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    Matt, can you clear this up on Android OS 1.5? Isn't it 1.6? I've read that the 1.5 didn't have CDMA and that 1.6 included the CDMA which allows Sprint to offer the phone. There are mixed article reviews on the 1.5 and 1.6 version of the HTC Sprint Hero
    ZDNet Gravatar
    vetrijar@...
    10/05/2009 08:51 AM

  • ZDNet Blogger

    It is 1.5 with HTC customizations
    I can confirm it is 1.5 (Cupcake) on the Sprint Hero. It can't be updated with just any firmware either because of the custom HTC and Sprint implementations.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)
    10/05/2009 02:22 PM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    Matt, thanks for the review. As a former Tacoma resident now living in Florida it was also nice to see the weather and the Seahawks score, even if they didn't win. I was torn between the Palm Pre and the HTC Hero, but after seeing your review I think that the HTC Hero will be worth the investment. Thanks again.

    -Karl
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Karl34758
    10/05/2009 09:28 AM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    What about SKYPE?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    jwhudson@...
    10/05/2009 09:45 AM
  • Not native
    But there is a Skype-lite app in the market, plus a few other fuller featured Skype clients produced by third parties.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Michael Kelly
    10/05/2009 11:14 AM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    It's great to see Android products like this emerging,
    specially right around the time that was predicted in
    the late spring. I know I'm not the only gadgethead
    who's been waiting for the Good Stuff. I planned on
    waiting until now to get a new phone. I was hoping T-
    Mobile would carry the Hero, but it would have clearly
    decimated the My Touch sales. But, the big - and most
    welcome - surprise was the Cliq. When you strip away
    the buzzy social apps marketing (if you can't do
    without a digital umbilical cord like that, you really
    need a life!), it makes a world-class
    business/personal phone. Mostly, I'm thrilled about
    the real keyboard, something the Hero will obviously
    never match. Regardless, if I was on Sprint, this
    would be a no-brainer. By next year this time, Android
    will rule.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Lucky2BHere
    10/05/2009 10:17 AM
  • Reply to "When will AT&T get one?"
    I don't know where you heard AT&T getting a Hero because as of now it is going to happen. HTC signed with Sprint even after T-Mobile threw them 2 offers to stay with T-Mobile. I doubt this phone will be going to any other service in America for awhile. AT&T will be getting the Tilt2 and Pure from HTC soon Windows Mobile phones. Hope this helps.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    ParamedicSamier
    10/05/2009 10:32 AM
  • What version of the OS does it have on it?
    ???
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Malachi292
    10/05/2009 12:42 PM
  • Never mind...
    I just found it in the specs. I don't why I didn't see it before.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Malachi292
    10/05/2009 12:45 PM
  • HTC Hero = Zero?
    Wow, a low resolution kyeboardless device with a locked down OS! How can I refuse?

    Very easily, thankfully!

    ZDNet Gravatar
    brianpeterson@...
    10/07/2009 05:53 PM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    Gee all these people have reviewed the HERO and I am jealous. Here I am a loyal Sprint employee and I can't get my hands on mine till Oct 11th
    ZDNet Gravatar
    paguy1955
    10/08/2009 08:43 AM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    Matthew,

    Why would anybody want a Sprint CDMA-only version, when
    Verizon is coming out with a CDMA/GSM version shortly?
    Also, Sprint is the worst carrier and Verizon is the
    best.

    Pete Shaw
    Tulsa, OK
    ZDNet Gravatar
    pete shaw
    10/10/2009 05:23 PM
  • Well
    uh huh not everyone lives in Tulsa..You did realize that in other parts of the country Sprint wors better then Verizon?WOW Never thought of that did ya? Also with Sprint you can get the phone now and the monthly charges are much cheaper...Omg say it isn't sooooo!!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    quixel1
    10/20/2009 09:12 PM
  • RE: Hands-on review: HTC Hero from Sprint is truly super
    As a US Sprint customer, my options have been mostly
    limited to WinMobile, Blackberry, and Palm. Not
    interested in blackberry ... although i currently own
    a Palm Centro ... although it is a reasably good
    phone, i have not been suitably impressed with the OS
    or freeware apps . Yes i said it FREEWARE. There ...
    WinMobile had the market cornered! My mogul was a
    wonderful little computer ... despite the frequent
    need for soft resets ... but a really cruddy phone.
    When i read about Android i got all excited ... but
    ... alas no phones on the Sprint network.

    Enter the HERO ...

    My heart is all a twitter and anxiously awaiting Oct
    11 ... hoping to learn all i can about android before
    then ... so i can get my little hands dirty!! Share
    your review with me at http://www.HTC-Hero.com a site
    for HTC Hero fans.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    coolfx35
    10/27/2009 06:21 PM
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