HTC Desire Z vs Nokia E7

With Nokia's E7 launch yesterday comes HTC's Desire Z launch today.

Both feature a sliding Qwerty keyboard and 5-megapixel camera, but have very different operating systems. Will Nokia's Symbian monster be able to stand up against another HTC Android beauty? We take a look at what they both have to offer.

Screen
The HTC Desire Z features a 3.7-inch, 480x800 pixel capacitive touchscreen. Rather than AMOLED, HTC has opted for the cheaper SLCD screen, and although they're more widely available now, they don't scrimp in quality. The HTC Desire Z's screen is crisp and bright and may behave much better in direct sunlight if we're lucky!

The Nokia E7's screen is much larger - 4-inches in total and with Nokia's ClearBlack Display technology, it's crystal clear with much richer colours.

Winner: Nokia E7 because the screen is MASSIVE!

Size
Although Nokia keeps going on about the Nokia E7 being 'big', most of that is due to the screen. At 123.7x62.4x13.6 mm, it is larger than the HTC Desire Z (119x60.4x14.16mm) - save the width. However, both sill fit in the pocket because they do keep the slender form factor, despite both nestling a sliding Qwerty underneath the screen panel.

At 180g, the Desire Z is heavier, but again, neither will wear a hole in your pocket or weigh you down. After all, we expect smartphones to be a little heavier than feature phones.

Winner: Nokia E7 because it's slightly smaller and lighter

OS
Once again, Android goes up against Symbian^3 in this clash of the smartphones. Android 2.2 is a massive improvement on previous versions of Android, but so is Symbian^3 to S60.

Android 2.2 however, features seven homescreens against Symbian^3's three. For us, this is a major advantage.

You can also use Android 2.2 as a Wi-Fi hotspot, there's Flash 10 support and t's much faster than Symbian^3 at present.

Symbian^3 features a wonderful email UI, allowing you to quickly swap between up to 10 mailboxes and any of your email folders. Android 2.2 does too, and allows you add add unlimited Exchange inboxes too, but the UI just isn't as nice as Symbian's.

Multitasking is simple on both - just tap and hold the home button and a popup will show you all the applications that are open.

Winner: Android 2.2 because it is constantly evolving and offers a lot more than Symbian^3

UI
HTC has revamped its Sense UI with the introduction of the Desire Z and Desire HD. It has added a load more features including the ability to access maps without being on the web (sounds a little like Nokia's Ovi Maps), a self destruct button that allows you to clear your device immediately, a feature that makes your phone ring louder if it's in a bag or pocket and a stream of communication information for your friends.

If you tap on a contact, it'll display every text, phone call and other communication means. You can also back up everything on the cloud using htcsense.com.

The Nokia UI is a little boring in comparison. Sure, it may be familiar to previous users, but this doesn't mean it's pretty.

Winner: HTC Sense is our favourite UI around, so that wins hands down