HTC Desire Complete Specs Prices & Insights

Introduction to HTC Desire

The HTC Desire was a smartphone released in early 2010, marking a significant development in the Android ecosystem during that time. Considered one of HTC's flagship devices, the Desire played an instrumental role in expanding the company's influence in the smartphone market. This article delves into the various aspects of the HTC Desire, highlighting its specifications, features, design, and impact.

Network and Connectivity

The HTC Desire supported GSM/HSPA technology, making it compatible with various network bands worldwide. Specifically, it operated on GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, along with HSDPA 900 and 2100 for 3G connectivity. The device allowed for HSPA data speeds of up to 7.2/2 Mbps, ensuring relatively swift internet browsing and downloading capabilities for the time.

Launch and Availability

Announced in February 2010 and released in March of the same year, the HTC Desire quickly garnered attention for its impressive specifications and design. Unfortunately, the device has since been discontinued, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of tech enthusiasts and collectors who value its historic significance in the evolution of smartphones.

Design and Build

The HTC Desire boasted dimensions of 119 x 60 x 11.9 mm, translating to a sleek design that comfortably fit into the hands of users. Weighing in at 135 grams, it balanced portability with a durable build. The phone supported Mini-SIM cards and featured either an AMOLED or SLCD display, depending on the variant. One of its standout features was the Corning Gorilla Glass protection that fortified its screen against scratches and damage.

Display

With a 3.7-inch display, the HTC Desire offered a screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, achieving a pixel density of approximately 252 ppi. The AMOLED or SLCD technology employed in the display ensured vivid colors and sharp contrasts, enhancing the user experience for multimedia consumption, web browsing, and more.

Platform and Performance

At its core, the HTC Desire was powered by a Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 chipset, complemented by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. Initial shipments came pre-installed with Android 2.1 (Eclair), but it was upgradeable to Android 2.2 (Froyo), which came with improved UI features courtesy of HTC's Sense UI.

Memory and Storage

The Desire featured 576MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage. Additionally, it supported microSDHC cards, allowing users to expand the storage capacity up to an impressive extent for the time. HTC generously included a 4 GB microSD card in the package, offering immediate additional storage for apps, media, and files.

Camera Capabilities

The device was outfitted with a 5 MP back camera equipped with autofocus and an LED flash, enabling it to capture decent photographs in various lighting conditions. Video capabilities included 480p video recording at 15 frames per second, with a software update enabling 720p recording at 30 frames per second. This made the HTC Desire a competitive choice for those interested in mobile photography and videography during its era.

Audio and Sound

The HTC Desire featured a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring versatile audio playback whether through earphones or the phone's built-in speaker. The sound quality was robust for its class, further adding to its media consumption appeal.

Communication and Connectivity Features

For modern-day connectivity, the HTC Desire was equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and could function as a Wi-Fi hotspot with the Android 2.2 update. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support facilitated wireless audio streaming and data transfer. The device also featured GPS for navigation with A-GPS support, a stereo FM radio with RDS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sensors and Additional Features

Onboard sensors included an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, all of which contributed to a responsive user interface and enhanced app capabilities. It also supported HTML and Adobe Flash, opening up a rich web browsing experience for the user, which was quite cutting-edge at the time.

Battery Performance

The HTC Desire came with a removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery. It offered a standby time of up to 340 hours on a 2G network and 360 hours on 3G, alongside a talk time of up to 6 hours and 40 minutes on 2G and 6 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. These specifications indicated strong battery performance, which was a crucial consideration for users at the time.

Color Variants and Pricing

In terms of aesthetics, the HTC Desire was available in several colors: Black, Brown, Silver, and White, catering to various user preferences. At launch, the device was priced around 140 EUR, positioning it competitively within the market while offering substantial value for its features.

Performance Tests

Tests conducted on the HTC Desire showcased its solid audio performance with voice sound levels registering at 76dB, noise at 75dB, and ringtone output at 84dB. Audio quality tests revealed a noise level of -87.6dB and crosstalk at -84.8dB, indicating decent sound engineering for a comprehensive audio experience.

Conclusion

The HTC Desire marked an era of significant advancement in smartphone technology. Its combination of design, features, and performance attributes positioned it as a leading choice for consumers during its release period. Though it is now a relic of the past, it laid the groundwork for future innovations in mobile computing.