HTC Desire Review

HTC continues its Android lineup with the new smartphone HTC Desire, aka Bravo. Devices of this manufacturer are rarely unsuccessful or controversial, just recall Google Nexus One, which in many respects is similar to the hero of today’s review. In fact, the Desire has so much in common with the Nexus One that it feels like we’ve seen it all before. When HTC announced Desire the company promised it to be the most functional, fastest and easiest device to work with Internet. Due to the fact that Nexus will be actively pursued in North America, sales of HTC Desire (Bravo) are not scheduled there.

HTC Desire Specifications:

• Operating System: Android 2.1 (Éclair) with HTC Sense
• ROM: 512 MB
• RAM: 576 MB
• CPU: 1 GHz
• Display: AMOLED capacitive touch screen with pinch-to-zoom capability
• Size: 3.7 inches
• Resolution: 480 X 800 WVGA
• microSD memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) Supports up to 32 GB
• Weight: 135 grams (4.76 ounces) with battery
• Battery type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
• Capacity: 1400 mAh
• Talk time: GSM: Up to 400 mins
• Standby time: GSM: Up to 340 hours
• Camera: 5 megapixel, Face detection capability, Auto focus and flash
• 3.5 mm stereo audio jack
• Standard micro-USB
• G-Sensor
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Ambient light sensor
• Facebook integration
• Friend Stream
• Photo sharing on Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter
• Video sharing on YouTube
• HTC Peep for twittering
• HSPA/WCDMA: 900/2100 MHz
• GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• 3G: Up to 7.2 Mbps download speed / Up to 2 Mbps upload speed
• Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
• Tethering: Internet sharing through USB
• Bluetooth® 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate / A2DP for wireless stereo headsets
• FM Radio
• Internal GPS antenna
• Google Maps
• HTC Footprints

Hardware

In terms of hardware Desire is a smartphone that runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon platform (QSD8250), using the processor with the capacity of 1 GHz. The device comes with 576 MB of RAM, while the internal memory is 512 MB, the latter can be increased with a memory cad up to a maximum capacity of 32 GB. Connectivity the device is represented in a classic set for this case: wireless Bluetooth (version 2.1 with EDR and A2DP) and Wi-Fi, as well as wired synchronization with PC via USB-connection. In the latter case device is additionally being charged. There is also a GPS navigation chip.

As for the cellular networks GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz range, work in Europe and Asia), HSPA / UMTS (900/2100 MHz range), GPRS, EDGE and 3G (third generation networking) are supported.

Design

The design of HTC Desire is kept in strict, low-key tones. There are no bright screaming parts: as a rule it can be considered universal, so that it will suit people of different ages, both men and women. Very much similar to Google Nexus One – it is the  same from back to front, a minimum set of hard keys, slightly curved shape of the case (bending is very small and is not even visible at first glance). In general, this is an accurate universal device, which will appeal many people. In general, the creation of neutral devices in terms of design is the priority for the designers of HTC, in this way they want to draw attention to a wider audience.

HTC desire is sized 119x60x11.9 mm, while the weight is 135 grams with the battery. As for the materials used, we see plastic with a light, velvety coating. It has a deep grey color , around the display matte metal frame is present, and orange rim around the camera and in the design of lattice speakers dilutes the design making it brighter. In general, plastic is nice, solid, and the device itself is quite comfortable in the hand and does not slide.

The difference from Nexus One is the lack noise reduction feature – this had a favorable impact on its price, which will be lower than that of the prototype. HTC Desire is compiled very successfully, with no claims to quality.

Battery

Inside is a Lithium-Ion battery with the capacity of 1400 mAh. The declared time in standby mode (in GSM network) is 340 hours, and when actively using phone will stay with you only 400 minutes.

The following set of filters are being offered: the volume switch on the left side, on / off button on the top of the device (as in the WinMobile-device), memory card slot and a slot for connecting the charger. Immediately you are struck by the absence of mechanical keys to control the camera – in this phone it will be virtual, a trend that started recently may soon be an established as a rule. Also, for those who like to listen to the music and radio on the case there is a 3,5 mm jack – now users will not feel impaired in choosing a headset.

Camera

HTC Desire is equipped with a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus. One of the significant features of the camera face recognition and smileshutter, the possibility of creating wide photos and geo-tagging. For the rest we have an ordinary camera with resolution settings, image quality, timer, multiple shooting modes, settings to white balance  and effects. The camera also supports recording video in 3gp format.

Screen and keyboard

The large size of HTC Desire is largely influenced by its 3.7-inch touch screen, which reminds of HTC HD2 with its specifications. The display is capacious, it is made by modern AMOLED-technology, which makes the picture on the screen bright and clear, with vivid natural colors. The resolution of the screen is 480×800 pixels, meanwhile it can easily display up to 16 million colors. When you bring the screen close to ear the proximity sensor works and it is blocked – this helps to avoid false clicks. By turning the case the screen also rotates – this feature is implemented through the built-in accelerometer, in addition to the digital compass.

Software

Menu

The menu of HTC Desire is entirely fitting to the software platform which the device is based on, and it is the updated version of Android with 2.1, which got the name Eclair. The main differences of this particular version are mostly in cosmetic development work, which had a considerable impact on system performance and speed. Some new features have also been added. The interface, which is used here, is called Sense – it is an excellent complement to the OS, bringing to it new and enhanced management capabilities, reducing time to work with various functions.

Applications

Like the predecessor smartphone, Desire comes with maximum integration with social networks. It is mostly done through the new application called Friend Stream, which enables you to read news feed of friends in different applications and services gathered in one place. The web browser has also been seriously upgraded – intelligent ways to display formatted display device pages have appeared, support for Flash Lite 4 and a new type of scaling called pinch-to-zoom.

There is also something that was not realized even in Nexus One. This includes improved synchronization of mail through Exchange server, expanding the functions of calendar and contacts phonebook. E-mail section is now a separate menu item. It can give full information about receivedand unread messages. Here you can make notes on them that will determine their importance and reading priority. A very interesting and useful feature has also been implemented – the volume of the incoming call is automatically reduced at the time when the user has the phone in his/her hand, and if the device is turned face down (to any surface), it goes into silent mode.

Working with the navigation module stands out for nothing special – for its work no special software is provided, just free Google Maps. However, the recent version installed in the operating system allows the use of standard functionality, and also allows receiving voice prompts during the operation and viewing the area in view of the landscape.

Multimedia

In terms of musical opportunities, HTC Desire is equipped with an audio player and FM-radio. The most attractive feature for music lovers is not just a handy player, but also the implementation of a 3.5 mm jack. Music player supports aac,. Amr,. Ogg,. M4a,. Mid,. Mp3,. Wav,. Wma formats; there is a possibility for a full-screen and a background mode, sorting songs and creation for custom playlists are supported. In terms of video playback suitable formats are 3gp, .3 g2,. Mp4,. Wmv. There are special utilities available to view videos and photos in the menu of device, which also allow you to organize multimedia content, view thumbnails and slide shows, etc.

Conclusion

The smartphone HTC Desire will become a terrific addition and even the continuation of the vaunted googlephone Nexus One. By choosing this name for the device the developers of the company aimed to draw attention to it and make the device truly desirable for buyers. However, in my opinion the smartphone would have been a success in any case. The inevitable comparisons with Google Nexus can say one thing – Desire and Nexus are very similar, the main differences of the two phones is that the latter moves more as a product from Google and is not equipped with Sense user interface.