- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
HTC ThunderBolt
- Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
- 4G
- 4.3"
- 1 GHz
Released March, 2011
Rated 80% by by Frank (Jun, 2011)It's so clear and large enough to see, has a good "touch" feel to it once you get used to a touch screen.
Conclusion Check out the HTC ThunderBolt
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the HTC ThunderBolt
1 GHz
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 4G
Rated 100% by by R.-Vogt--Robert (Mar, 2011)I'd say the touch responsiveness with the capacitive screen is near equal to the iPhone.
screen size
4.3"
4.7"
4.7"
ThunderBolt by xenoBatteries simply aren't far enough along to handle what these phones are able to do (4G internet, text, GPS, Bluetooth, phone, big screen, fast processor) and last all day with constant use.
ThunderBolt by Starmount (Jul, 2011)Friendly Sense user interface.4.3" screen size is just right size for browning internet and reading news.
screen resolution
ThunderBolt by ChicagoCPA (May, 2011)It certainly is faster and has a higher resolution screen than my first 4 computers, each of which cost thousands of dollars.
memory
| 0 GB | 1.02 GB   | 2 GB |
processor
ThunderBolt by c|net (Mar, 2011)The Android 2.2 smartphone might not offer the latest and greatest (e.g., dual-core processor), but with the carrier promising average download speeds of 5Mbps to 12Mbps and upload speeds of 2Mbps to 5Mbps, it's no surprise why many are clamoring to get their hands on this device.
ThunderBolt by ChicagoCPA (May, 2011)When this phone came out, it was fast, but compared to today's 4 core phones, it seems very slow now, but in 2011, it seemed fast.
camera resolution
| 0 MP | 5 MP | 8 MP |
ThunderBolt by The-Computer-Genius--The-Computer-Genius (Jun, 2011)As far as other pictures or higher resolution is concerned the camera is fine.
Performance Real world tests of HTC ThunderBolt
cpu speed
ThunderBolt by T.C.The droid was a tank, but it moved like molasses compared to this thing - in both processor and wireless speed.
browser benchmark
ThunderBolt by Cortexian (Jul, 2011)As other users have stated 4G is incredibly fast but for casual use like maps, Facebook, weather and normal web browsing the 3G performance is outstanding.
ThunderBolt by ChicagoCPA (May, 2011)The HTC Sense browsers word wraps when you pinch zoom into a web page and I love this feature.
download speed
ThunderBolt by jbpeddler (May, 2011)I have used the phone as a hot-spot with my laptop, and gotten over 18mb download speeds while in a 4G area with a good signal.
ThunderBolt by c|net (Mar, 2011)As mentioned earlier, the ThunderBolt is the first smartphone to work on Verizon's LTE 4G network, which promises average download speeds of 5Mbps to 12Mbps and upload speeds of 2Mbps to 5Mbps.
talk time
378 min
1,350 min
1,260 min
ThunderBolt by GBM (Jan, 2012)I will turn off the GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, features to extend battery life.
ThunderBolt by Wendy-Cheung--wendy (Apr, 2011)I found some stronger 1700mAh battery at $40+, but seriously, the phone itself cost $250 already and now I have to pay $40+ more for a battery?
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
3.5 mm -
Android Market (Android) -
Capacitive -
8 MP -
Many games and videos on the Internet require Adobe Flash -
Supports the fastest, most reliable networks -
Listen to music and news from local radio stations -
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich -
8 MP -
Play games and use applications that take advantage of device rotation -
Share your cellphone's data plan with other devices -
4.3" -
68 ms
cons
-
177 g -
62 x 121 x 14 mm -
1280 x 720 @ Unknown -
None -
Single core -
14 mm -
Some newer payment by phone methods require NFC -
1,400 mA·h -
Mar, 2011 -
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
|
|---|---|
 |  Rated by 259 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by PJ Rated 80% by by Darkrage (Jan, 2012) |
Battery
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 80% by by Tinoskier (Apr, 2011)Yes, with the screen brightest up and the 4G on, browsing the internet and doing some heavy downloading the phone will probably die in about 4 hours.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 40% by by Rachel (Apr, 2011)It's fast, it can internet and phone at the same time, it has a lot of memory - none of it matters when the phone can't act like a phone more than 4 hours at a time.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 40% by by Stacy-E.-Burrell--stacyburrell.blogspot.comEven being on standby and sending the occasional text, the battery life is good for about 4 hours, necessitating the need to carry a charging cord with me at all times.
Network technology
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 80% by by dbolt71 (Apr, 2011)4G LTE is blazing fast when you get a good signal.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 60% by by ashertopia (Jan, 2012)LTE is blazing fast and this phone rocks while using it.
Battery life
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 80% by by xenoI was surprised to see so many reviews for the Charge that talk about "managing battery life" and so forth to get a day of use out of the Charge.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 60% by by C.-Ballard (Jun, 2011)Battery Life: Everyone should know by now that the batter life on this phone is pretty bad.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 40% by by Ben--Normally-I-prefer-to-read--but-being-able-to-listen-to-a-book-during-my-90--minute-daily-commute-has-been-a-real-lifesaver.-I-feel-like-that-time-is-no-longer-wasted--and-if-the-book-is-good-enough-I-look-forward-to-continuing-it-on-my-drive-home.While it's got juice, this phone is really nice to use.
Ports
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 100% by by steven-kayser (May, 2011)In closing, I recommend the Thunderbolt until Verizon releases a high-end, high-battery-power, dual core device that is well ahead of the Thunderbolt.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 100% by by DarlingJiLLFace (Jun, 2011)In comparison - the Thunderbolt has the 4G LTE internet, which, frankly, blows even my cable internet out of the water; whereas the iPhone is still on 3G.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 80% by by jp4xbenI have had the Thunderbolt for almost 8 month now and I am very happy with it.
Data
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 60% by by E.-Hall (Mar, 2011)[...]The Thunderbolt is quite fast as others have already discussed.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 100% by by Makoto-Schoppert--makoto (Apr, 2011)For example, the Thunderbolt has the newer generation Snapdragon processor, more memory, more RAM, and a sturdier kickstand.
HTC ThunderBolt | Rated 80% by by Puck-s-Voice (Apr, 2012)I've had my Thunderbolt for over a year, and love it.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Samsung Galaxy S II Least latency on actual networks Samsung Galaxy S II vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 2 | Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD Most built-in storage Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 3 | HTC 8X Sharpest screen 8X vs ThunderBolt |
 | 4 | LG Optimus L9 Lightest LG Optimus L9 vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 5 | Samsung Express Galaxy Rated the best by consumers Samsung Express Galaxy vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 6 | Motorola DROID BIONIC 4-way tie: Supports FM radio Motorola DROID BIONIC vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 7 | LG Revolution 5-way tie: Uses standard video out connectors LG Revolution vs HTC ThunderBolt |
 | 8 | LG Spectrum 3-way tie: Highest resolution screen LG Spectrum vs HTC ThunderBolt |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
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