I've had both, used to have the desire was a great phone but killed it one night while rather drunk got It soaking wet so went and got an hd, overall the hd is a lot better runs faster and better, the battery since the software update seems about the same (although apparently the update got pulled because of bugs but mines been fine) bigger screen is good although the colour looked better on the original as it had an amoled screen (although newer desires have slcd the same as the hd due to supply problems) and I did prefer the physical buttons at the bottom of the original
Overall the hd is better but not perfect

I had made my mind up to go for the Desire HD as my next phone.

Now I'm totally confused

Join the club. This is why I started this thread but i'm still undecided. Think i'm just going to have to go and ty and have a play with each of them.
I want a good camera on my phone cos I like taking pictures of the kids and stuff. But I also want a good one for internet browsing. But then the battery on the HD puts me off a little.

Snap! I've been umming and ahhing over the Desire / Desire HD for a month! now I see the Incredible S and have to say that I think that trumps them both!!! too many choices!!

Different screen sizes so for different tastes.
My 3.5" screen is far too small for the HD is for me, and only if I had to choose. I'm not buying.

seriously the battery life is pretty much the same with the hds now pulled software update which even though not available easily should still be available on the internet somewhere

Yes I have to agree the Incredible S is looking very good

Thank goodness it's not just me

I don't know if this thread has done me a huge favour or wish I'd never seen it

The battery life is a big concern, I'm sick and tired of super-phones that can't last a day with a few hours data use. I want the bigger screen and processor of the HD for a nice bit of surfing on the train etc (subject to signal!) but then again it's pointless if it won't last the day out.

I've forgotten the source now but somewhere said that the HD has had a software update that made it's battery life comparable to the Desire - can anyone verify?

Anyone else played much with custom/hacked ROM's? I've spotted some over at XDA forums that claim to be specially battery optimised.

Yeah the next round of HTC phones have potential to own the Desire and the Desire HD... but isn't that always the case? They update every six months so if we wait we'd never buy anything. Plus I'm with Orange and they are always a bit slow on the uptake at getting the new handsets out... so a few months+another couple of months for them to hit the shelves... maybe I should just bite the bullet and get the HD on an 18 month contract.... agh!

went into Carphone Warehouse today to play with both phones, but the guy wouldn't let me but I think it was because the was a dodgy guy lurking around in the shop.
I'm getting that confused now I'm wondering whether to just go with the iPhone 4

There was a version with a bug that used up lots of CPU cycles and power. It's been fixed. My HD never had the problem.

The HD battery bug was fixed in an OTA release.

The incredible is NOT a replacement for the HD, it is a lower spec phone.

All desire phones are nice, if you go for a desire get the newer model (it has some modest improvements).

I've made my mind up, I'm going to get the Desire HD... I think lol!

Well I've done it and gone for the HD.
A couple of things swung it for me.
One, the HD has DNLA support for streaming to a DNLA enabled TV... and I bought a new telly before xmas that has this.

Battery issues, bugs etc can be ironed out by flashing an unofficial ROM which I'm willing to give a try if it comes to that. But not something I'll rush into unless I really have to.

Also, buying from Orange direct, they offer a no quibble 7 day handset return if you don't like it.... so here goes nothing!

I'm a Desire HD owner and I love it, but the Incredible S has me tempted to possibly do a swap, we'll see (it's the forward facing camera that tempts me).

However your dismissal of the memory made me wonder if you realise that the difference is nearly a 1/3 of the size of the memory? That's a 400mb difference, which is actually quite a difference on a device that has less than 2gb of storage. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.

The two phones come down to preference as they are so close to each other with spec.

I have just installed Juice Defender and Ultimate Juice. I am told they really help and have lots of settings to extend life. Gonna be testing it out over next few days.....

It's almost identical to the Desire HD except for the screen. Desire S is 3.7", Incredible S is 4", Desire HD is 4.3".

The camera is 5MP on the Desire S as opposed to 8MP on the Desire HD, but with a cameraphone that difference isn't really relevant. Both do 720p video anyway. The Desire S also has a front-facing camera which the Desire HD does not, so that's a major advantage for some.

The Desire S comes preloaded with Gingerbread, while the Desire HD is still shipped with Froyo. Battery life is better on the Desire S.

So where exactly you formed the opinion that the Desire S is a poor upgrade that doesn't match up to the Desire HD, I don't know. But you're very much mistaken.

I have the DHD and regarding the battery life it was quite poor at first. I read on one or two forums that it would improve with use and I'm pleased to say it did.

I think that one of the reasons that the battery doesn't seem that good is because the phone itself is excellent to use particularly browsing the Internet with it's 4.3" screen - it's hard to put it down! I was a little sceptical at first about the sheer size of the phone, but I have not regrets at all about buying it.

Re. the front facing camera: I've had one on a Nokia for years and never used it once. I suppose others may use it every day though...

My mobile finally gave up the ghost today so I contacted VodafoneUkDeals on twitter and they got me a deal so I could upgrade early. I opted for the Desire HD on a 24 month contract with 600 mins, unlimited texts and 500m of internet (which is fine for me) but then I have the wifi too all for £25 a month which is £5 less then I'm paying now! Comes monday

Its nowhere near a desire HD its an upgrade for a DESIRE I have read some dismissing the screen size on here - get real, of course it makes a difference. Forward facing camera - yeah that could be useful when Skype and GTalk get their acts together, but now its only useful for taking poor snaps of yourself The desire HD runs all versions of Android, upto an including Honeycomb Battery life is better because - wait for it - its not as powerful as a HD

HTC Incredible S will get updates for longer than the HD, with it being a new phone. If you dont mind rooting though that should be irrelevant.

I have an original Desire atm, the HD would be a bit too big for me. Had a look at the Incredible S today and it looks sweet, if I was upgrading soon it would either be an Incredible S or Desire S

Nowhere near as good as the Desire, I know a few in I.T. who have sold off their Iphones, both 3 and 4 and gone for the Desire (not the HD version), they also liked the Galaxy too!

Only drawback I have is signal reception, poor area, not helped by location of smartphone aerials!

But as with all things Mobile phone related, if you hang on for the 'S', there will be yet another waiting in the wings, that they say will be better, and so it goes on and on and on........

Knowing VF that will be 24 months on top of what is left of your old contract! I got stung by VF like that, they did not mention the extended bit when I agreed to replace a broken Magic.

Oh no they did mention it. It's only two months and I need the phone now so not too bothered

I've just got the Desire HD today. Also got £30 for my Nokia 5228.