HTC Desire 516 Dual Sim Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of HTC Desire 516 Dual SIM

The HTC Desire 516 Dual SIM, launched in June 2014, represents a blend of essential smartphone features at an affordable price. While not packed with high-end specifications, it caters to the needs of average users who seek reliability and basic functionality. The phone's main attraction is its dual SIM capability that offers flexibility for users managing multiple networks.

Design and Body

The HTC Desire 516 sports a simple yet sturdy design, with dimensions of 140 x 72 x 9.7 mm, making it comfortable to hold. The device weighs 160 grams, offering a balanced feel without being too bulky. It's housed in a plastic body with options of black and white colors, catering to users who prefer minimalistic aesthetics. The dual SIM slots (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) support 2G and 3G networks, allowing users to switch between carriers hassle-free.

Display

Featuring a 5.0-inch IPS LCD, the HTC Desire 516 provides decent brightness and color reproduction for its price range. The screen resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, translating to a density of approximately 220 pixels per inch, ensures clear text and images. While not Full HD, it suffices for everyday tasks such as browsing and watching videos.

Platform

Running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Sense UI 5.1, the HTC Desire 516 offers a user-friendly interface. The device is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8625Q Snapdragon 200 chipset, coupled with a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and Adreno 302 GPU, handling basic apps and games efficiently. However, it's not designed for heavy multitasking or high-performance gaming.

Memory and Storage

The Desire 516 features 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. While the internal storage might seem limited by modern standards, the option to expand the memory helps accommodate additional apps, media, and files, enhancing usability.

Camera Capabilities

The phone is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera with an LED flash, capable of capturing 720p videos at 30 frames per second. The camera offers basic photography features, suitable for capturing everyday moments. On the front, there is a 2 MP selfie camera, capable of recording 480p videos. While not designed for professional photography, both cameras are adequate for casual use and social media sharing.

Battery Life

The HTC Desire 516 houses a removable Li-Po 1950 mAh battery, which powers the device for up to 220 hours on standby and offers talk time of up to 9 hours on 3G networks. While moderate, this battery life supports typical daily usage, allowing users to go through a workday without needing frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Sensors

In terms of connectivity, the phone includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot capability, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and aptX, GPS for navigation, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The device, however, lacks NFC and FM radio. As for sensors, it includes an accelerometer, proving basic functionalities without the advanced sensors found in high-end smartphones.

Audio and Sound

The HTC Desire 516 includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Though the audio quality is standard, it is sufficient for personal use, be it calls or media playback. With the widespread use of wired headphones at the time, the inclusion of a headphone jack was an appreciated feature.

Conclusion

The HTC Desire 516 Dual SIM stands out as an entry-level smartphone that meets the basic requirements of users without the demand for high-end specs. It offers practicality through its dual SIM feature and expandable storage, catering to users who primarily need efficient communication tools. Despite its technology being outdated by current standards, it remains a nostalgic reminder of the evolving smartphone industry.