HTC Desire HD Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build

The HTC Desire HD is a classic smartphone that was launched back in October 2010. Its design reflects the trends of that era, featuring a solid and robust build quality. With dimensions of 123 x 68 x 11.8 mm, it was considered slightly large but still comfortable for one-handed use. Weighing at 164 grams, it offered a substantial feel in hand, attributed to the strong materials used in its construction. The device supports a Mini-SIM card and was available in two colors: black and brown, which added a touch of elegance to its design.

Display

The HTC Desire HD sports a 4.3-inch LCD display, a significant size during its time, offering ample screen real estate for various applications and multimedia use. The display has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 217 ppi. This allowed for clear and vibrant visuals, suitable for everyday use. The screen-to-body ratio stands at 62.9%, which was a common standard back then. Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance

Under the hood, the Desire HD is powered by a Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset. The CPU uses a 1.0 GHz Scorpion processor, complemented by an Adreno 205 GPU. This hardware configuration provided a smooth user experience during its time, enabling multitasking and moderate gaming with ease. The device comes with 768MB of RAM, which was substantial for the needs of 2010 smartphones, allowing for efficient app performance and system navigation.

Storage

Storage capacity on the HTC Desire HD is somewhat limited by today's standards, offering 1.5GB of internal storage. However, it includes a dedicated microSDHC slot, which supports expansion, and an 8GB card is included by default. This feature was crucial for storing additional data, music, photos, and videos, providing users with flexibility and additional space as required.

Camera

The main camera of the Desire HD is an 8MP shooter with autofocus, a prominent feature for smartphones during that period. It features a dual-LED flash, which aids in low-light photography, allowing users to capture decently lit images in various conditions. The camera is capable of recording video at 720p resolution, which was impressive for its time, offering suitable video quality for casual recording and sharing.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery. According to the specifications, it offers a standby time of up to 490 hours on 2G and up to 420 hours on 3G networks. When it comes to talk time, the Desire HD provides up to 9 hours and 15 minutes on 2G and up to 5 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. These figures indicate a reasonably good battery life for moderate daily use, although heavy use might require more frequent charging.

Software and User Interface

Initially shipping with Android 2.2 (Froyo), the Desire HD was later upgradable to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It featured HTC's Sense UI, which offered a more personalized and intuitive user experience. This interface was known for its user-friendly widgets and apps designed to enhance productivity and ease of use, making it one of the more popular UIs at the time.

Connectivity

The device is equipped with technology supporting GSM and HSPA networks, with 2G bands operating on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and 3G bands on HSDPA 900/2100. It provides varying speeds depending on the carrier, with up to 14.4 Mbps for HSPA. The connectivity suite also includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS support. For audio, it features a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a loudspeaker. Additionally, it has a stereo FM radio with RDS, catering to users who enjoy listening to live radio broadcasts.

Sensors and Other Features

The HTC Desire HD includes an array of sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, lending itself to various applications and functionalities. The browser supports HTML and Adobe Flash, providing a full-fledged internet browsing experience. These features were essential for delivering a smart phone experience that was rich in multimedia capabilities and interactive content.

Price and Market Reception

Upon release, the HTC Desire HD was priced at approximately 150 EUR. This positioned it as a high-end device at the time, reflecting its advanced features and specifications relative to competitors. The device was well received for its excellent build quality, substantial display, and the robust customizability offered by Android and the HTC Sense UI.

Conclusion

Overall, the HTC Desire HD was a pivotal smartphone in the evolution of mobile technology. It combined a strong set of features in a single device, setting the standard for future smartphones in design, performance, and usability. Despite the rapid advancements in technology that have rendered it outdated in today's context, the Desire HD remains a memorable device for its contributions to smartphone innovation.